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An updated checklist of the Swiss species belonging to the family Coccinellidae is presented and briefly discussed. This checklist includes 81 species (82 taxa including the subspecies) and is based on 33'976 occurrences obtained from the identification of specimens held in museum and private collections, as well as from records taken from the literature. Exochomus oblongus Weidenbach, 1859, Hyperaspis peezi Fürsch, 1976, Hyperaspis pseudopustulata Mulsant, 1853, Nephus bisignatus (Fürsch, 1984), Rhyzobius forestieri (Mulsant, 1853), Scymniscus anomus (Mulsant & Rey, 1852) and Scymnus doriae Capra, 1924 are recorded for the first time in Switzerland. In parallel, Chilocorus similis (P. Rossi, 1790), Bulaea lichatschovii (Hummel, 1827), Ceratomegilla rufocincta rufocincta (Mulsant, 1850), Coccinella undecimpunctata undecimpunctata Linnaeus, 1758, Chnootriba elaterii (P. Rossi, 1794), Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius, 1775), Hyperaspis quadrimaculata (Redtenbacher, 1843), Scymnus marginalis (P. Rossi, 1794) and Novius cardinalis (Mulsant, 1850) were recorded from Switzerland in the past but are excluded from this list, either due to insufficient documentation or because they represent isolated cases of introductions of non-indigenous species that never became established in Switzerland.

This article provides an updated list of the Coccinellidae of Georgia, recording 84 species. Serangium montazerii Fürsch nec S. parcesetosum Sicard is also rehabilitated as a species actually present in the country.

A comprehensive annotated checklist of the ladybeetle species of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, is presented. The Coccinellidae fauna comprises a total of 101 species: 83 from the Mainland, 39 from Madeira, and 32 from the Azores. The listed species are distributed among 2 sub-families and 13 tribes: within the subfamily Microweiseinae, Madeirodulini (1 species), Serangiini (2 species), and within the subfamily Coccinellinae, Azyini (1 species), Chilocorini (4 species), Coccidulini (7 species), Coccinellini (30 species), Epilachnini (4 species), Hyperaspidini (7 species), Noviini (2 species), Platynaspini (1 species), Scymnini (37 species), Stethorini (3 species), and Sticholotidini (2 species). The Portuguese fauna comprises 10 exotic species: 5 present in the Mainland, 7 in Madeira, and 6 in the Azores. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Madeira, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Azores, Delphastus catalinae (Horn, 1895) from the Azores and Madeira, Nephus (Geminosipho) reunioni (Fürsch, 1974) and Nephus (Nephus) voeltzkowi Weise, 1910 from Madeira and Microserangium sp. from the Mainland, are reported for the first time. Some species are considered doubtful records, as explained in the text. These results were obtained by compiling information on the available literature regarding ladybeetle species on the Portuguese mainland and insular territories, and original data. Thanks are due to Claudio Canepari for helping in the identification of Microserangium sp. and Jaroslav Vetrovec of Harmonia axyridis Pallas from Madeira. This study was financed by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through Operational Program Azores 2020, under the following projects AZORESBIOPORTAL -PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072), and under the project ECO2 -TUTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000081). The Forest Research Centre is funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia I.P. (FCT), Portugal (UIDB/00239/2020). Thanks are also due to FCT/MCES for financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020) through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. OMCCA is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT, in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. AM was supported by the "Laboratoires d'Excellence" LabEx TULIP (ANR-10LABX-41). The Open Access of this manuscript was supported by the project FCTUIDB/00329/2020-2024. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

A review of the Neotropical Coccinellidae in the Prague Museum, also including to a lesser extent material from other collections, has led to the description of 14 new species from Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, two new combinations and 16 first records for countries. The new species described are Cyrea napoensis, Dilatitibialis manaus (Brachiacanthini), Neaporia chucanti, Prodilis saopaulo, P. pastaza and P. qedi (Cephaloscymnini), Siola karpish (Chnoodini), Calloeneis veraguas (Cryptognathini), Diomus chiriqui, D. panamensis and D. sekerkai (Diomini), Toxotoma venezuelae and T. aguascalientes (Epilachnini) and Nexophallobase panamensis (Stilochotidini) nov. spp. The new combinations are Sidonis vianai (for Neorhizobius vianai González, 2013) and Neda areolata (for Neocalvia areolata Gorham, 1982) comb. nov. First country records are Azya exuta Gordon for Ecuador, Chilocorus nigrita (Fabricius) for French Guiana, Harpasus zonatus (Mulsant) for Paraguay, Chnoodes separata Mader for Paraguay, Coelaria erythrogaster Mulsant for Surinam, Sidonis vianai (González) for Brazil, Coleomegilla occulta González for Bolivia, Neda callispilota (Guerín-Méneville) for Uruguay, Epilachna bistrisignata (Mader) for Peru, Epilachna dives Erichson for Bolivia, Hyperaspis pseudodonzeli Gordon & Canepari for Ecuador and French Guiana, Menoscelis saginata Mulsant for Bolivia, Zagloba beaumonti Casey for Bolivia and Venezuela and Scymnus hamatus Gordon for Panama.

We report here a new species belonging to Nephus (Nephus) Mulsant. Nephus (Nephus) apoloniasp. nov. was collected in the Reunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago, Indian Ocean). We describe this new species and redescribe and illustrate three other Nephus species already known from Reunion: Nephus (Nephus) oblongosignatus Mulsant, 1850, Nephus (Geminosipho) reunioni (Fürsch, 1974) and Nephus (Nephus) voeltzkowi Weise, 1910. Furthermore, we present a phylogenetic tree for these four species and calculate the genetic distances between them, using high-throughput DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial genome. The similar external morphology of N. apoloniasp. nov. and N. voeltzkowi very probably explains why individuals from the first species have been mistakenly identified as the latter and were not recognized as different until now. Other than external and genitalia traits, the present study provides molecular evidence confirming these are indeed two different species.

The genus Chilocorellus Miyatake, 1994 has been revised. Three new species (C. uncinacanthus Zhang & Wang, sp. nov., C. denspinulifer Zhang & Wang, sp. nov., and C. fistulachaetodontus Zhang & Wang, sp. nov.) from the Philippines are described and illustrated in the present paper. An updated key to the species of the genus Chilocorellus is provided. In addition, a list of all known species and their distributions is also provided.

This work presents a review of species of the Asian genusSinocymbachusStrohecker & Chûjô, 1970. Four new species are described from China:S. fanjingshanensisChang & Bi,sp. nov.,S. longipennisChang & Bi,sp. nov.,S. sinicusChang & Bi,sp. nov., andS. wangyinjieiChang & Bi,sp. nov.Cymbachus koreanusChûjô & Lee, 1993 is transferred toSinocymbachusasS. koreanus(Chûjô & Lee)comb. nov.Sinocymbachus bimaculatus(Pic, 1927) is reported for the first time from China. The male ofS. parvimaculatus(Mader, 1938) is discovered and described for the first time. Illustration, diagnosis and distribution are provided for each species. Prior to the present study,Sinocymbachusincluded ten species. An updated key to the species ofSinocymbachusis given.

Oenopia shirkuhensissp. nov. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) is described and illustrated. It was found in the mountains around Shirkooh mountain, Yazd province, and in the Kukhbenan Mountains, Kerman province, Iran. It is similar to a common ladybird Adalia bipunctata by the colour pattern on elytra. Congeneric species occurring in Iran, O. conglobata and partly O. oncina are illustrated for comparison, and an identification key is provided.

The species of the genus Cacodaemon of Vietnam are revised. A new species, Cacodaemon vietnamensissp. nov., is described and C. laotinus laotinus (Arrow, 1920) is newly recorded from Vietnam. A previously known species, C. proavus Strohecker, 1964 is redescribed based on an additional female specimen and a key to species of the genus Cacodaemon in Vietnam is provided.

The family Corylophidae is a moderately diverse coccinelloid beetle family. The fossil record of corylophid beetles is extremely sparse, with only one species formally described from the Eocene Baltic amber. Here we report a new corylophid genus and species, Xenostanus jiangkuni Li, Szawaryn & Cai gen. et sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar (ca. 99 Ma). Xenostanus is most distinctly characterized by the antenna with 10 antennomeres and the presence of metaventral and abdominal postcoxal lines. Our phylogenetic analysis suggested Xenostanus as sister to tribe Stanini. Based on its distinctive morphology and the phylogenetic results, Xenostanus is placed in the tribe Xeno stanini Li, Szawaryn & Cai trib. nov.

Chilocorus Leach, 1815 the largest genus of Chilocorini, contains more than 80 species, mainly preying on Coccoidea. Many species of Chilocorus are economically important as they are widely used as biological control agents. In this study, two new species of the genus Chilocorus Leach are described from Laos: C. toulakhomianus Li & Wang, sp. n. and C. vientianicus Li & Wang, sp. n. Diagnoses and detailed descriptions of the new species are given. Each species is illustrated in detail, including genitalia. Distribution maps are presented.

BACKGROUND: A recently-published review from 2021 presents a comprehensive checklist of ladybeetles of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Until then, the available information was very scattered and based on a single revision dating back to 1986, a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and studies on communities of agroecosystems. However, no information was available on faunal composition across the Azorean islands and their habitats, using standardised inventories. Here, we present data about the biodiversity of ladybeetles and their distribution and abundance in five Islands of the Azores (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and São Miguel). Surveys included herbaceous and arboreal habitats from native to anthropogenic-managed habitats: ruderal road vegetation, vegetable garden, mixed forest of endemic and non-native host plants, coastal prairies, coastal mixed vegetation, cornfields and urban areas. We aimed to contribute to the ongoing effort to document the terrestrial biodiversity of Portugal, including the Archipelago of the Azores, within the research project AZORESBIOPORTAL–PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072). NEW INFORMATION: In this study, a total of 1,487 specimens of Coccinellidae belonging to 19 species are reported for several habitats. The listed species are from one single sub-familiy (Coccinellinae) and six tribes; Chilocorini (one species), Coccidulini (three species), Coccinellini (six species), Noviini (one species), Scymnini (seven species), Stethorini (one species). The number of species collected per island differed; Faial (10 species), Graciosa (four species), Pico (seven species), São Jorge (seven species) and São Miguel (12 species). For six species, new island records are given. Currently, the number of species known to occur in the Azores are 32, including two doubtful records. The majority of species are Scymnini, being Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus (Goeze, 1777) and Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus Mulsant, 1850, the most abundant species (relative abundance 71.1%). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project allowing assessment of the impact of ongoing global changes in the distribution and abundance of ladybeetles. This study was financed by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through the Operational Programme Azores 2020, under the following projects AZORESBIOPORTAL–PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) and under the project ECO -TUTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000081) and by the Official Forestry Services from the Regional Government of the Azores, through the research projects PICA (Utilização de agentes de controlo biológico para o combate a populações de afídeos em plantas endémicas produzidas em viveiro) and PICONIA (Controlo biológico de populações de pragas de plantas endémicas produzidas em viveiro). Isabel Borges was funded by a PhD grant from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (POCI 2010). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Some new ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) records collected during the last four years across Sindh are reported. A first preliminary checklist of ladybirds from Sindh is presented, consisting of one subfamily, ten tribes, 21 genera, and 29 species including four new records, namelyBulaealichatschovii(Hummel),ExochomuspubescensKüster, Scymnus (Pullus) latemaculatus Motschulsky, Scymnus (Pullus) syriacus Marseul, and four varieties of the speciesCheilomenessexmaculatus(Fabricius).

The genus Coccidula Kugelann includes five species distributed in the Holarctic, with one species in North America and four in Palearctic region. Coccidula belongs to the tribe Coccidulini which historically was treated as a separate subfamily within ladybird beetles, but recent studies confirmed its placement as a tribe within the broadly defined subfamily Coccinellinae. All species are revised and a new synonymy of Lithophilus naviauxi Duverger with C. litophiloides Reitter is proposed. Light and electron microscopy pictures support morphological descriptions. An identification key to all species is also provided.

A revision of the Central American species of the genus Brachiacantha was undertaken to update the knowledge of the Central American species of the genus. Material of several collections was reviewed, using original descriptions and keys, and comparing with the type material. Twenty-five species of the genus Brachiacantha were found in Central American material, including nine new species: B. nubes Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. dentata Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. isthmena Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. aurantiapleura Nestor-Arriola, Solís and Toledo-Hernández, sp. nov., B. invertita Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. papiliona Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. tica Nestor-Arriola, Toledo-Hernández and Solís, sp. nov., B. hexaspina González, Větrovec and Nestor-Arriola, sp. nov., and B. mimica Nestor-Arriola and Toledo-Hernández, sp. nov. Nomenclatural changes include Brachiacantha gorhami (Weise), comb. nov., B. guatemalensis (Gorham), comb. nov., and Brachiacantha duodecimguttata Leng, syn. nov. for B. lepida Mulsant. The male genitalia of the species B. fenestrata Gorhan, B. octostigma Mulsant, B. aperta Weise, and B. cachensis Gorhan are described and illustrated for the first time. New records include B. indubitabilis Crotch and B. bipartita Mulsant (Costa Rica and Guatemala), B. gorhami (Weise) (El Salvador), and B. cachensis Gorham (Panamá). A key to the species is included.

Among the predatory ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), members of the Coccinellini, predators of aphids and psyllids, stand out. Although the beneficial status of these beetles has been acknowledged by biological control researchers, there are no keys or detailed studies on the immature stages of South American Coccinellidae, especially Coccinellini. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the immatures and adults of major predatory Coccinellini species in southern Brazil along with an identification key for fourth instar larvae and pupae. The following species are included: Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763), Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1824), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 and Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant, 1866). The morphological study, which included the use of scanning electron microscopy, revealed new characters such as the type of tarsal claws, spiracles, chalazae, parascoli and strumae. The identification key provided here may be useful in biological control programs.

The genus Coccidula Kugelann includes five species distributed in the Holarctic, with one species in North America and four in Palearctic region. Coccidula belongs to the tribe Coccidulini which historically was treated as a separate subfamily within ladybird beetles, but recent studies confirmed its placement as a tribe within the broadly defined subfamily Coccinellinae. All species are revised and a new synonymy of Lithophilus naviauxi Duverger with C. litophiloides Reitter is proposed. Light and electron microscopy pictures support morphological descriptions. An identification key to all species is also provided.

Three new Papuan species of the ladybird genus Rhyzobius Stephens, Rhyzobius albinos sp. nov., R. atramentarius sp. nov. and R. serratus sp. nov., are described, diagnosed and illustrated. An updated key to species of Rhyzobius from New Guinea is provided.

Microweiseinae is a quite recently established subfamily within ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). According to recent analyses of morphological and molecular data, it has been divided into three tribes. Members of the subfamily are distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Despite several recent taxonomical studies of this group, its diversity and distribution is still not fully understood. Recent field collecting on Madeira Island resulted in the discovery of interesting specimens belonging to a yet unknown taxon, described here as Madeirodula atlantica gen. et sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters indicate that the new taxon form a distinct branch within the subfamily Microweiseinae, for which we propose a new tribe Madeirodulini trib. nov. Evolutionary trends within the subfamily are discussed, and an updated key to the tribes of Microweiseinae is provided.

We report here a new species belonging to Nephus (Nephus) Mulsant. Nephus (Nephus) apoloniasp. nov. was collected in the Reunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago, Indian Ocean). We describe this new species and redescribe and illustrate three other Nephus species already known from Reunion: Nephus (Nephus) oblongosignatus Mulsant, 1850, Nephus (Geminosipho) reunioni (Fürsch, 1974) and Nephus (Nephus) voeltzkowi Weise, 1910. Furthermore, we present a phylogenetic tree for these four species and calculate the genetic distances between them, using high-throughput DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial genome. The similar external morphology of N. apoloniasp. nov. and N. voeltzkowi very probably explains why individuals from the first species have been mistakenly identified as the latter and were not recognized as different until now. Other than external and genitalia traits, the present study provides molecular evidence confirming these are indeed two different species.

The genus Chilocorellus Miyatake, 1994 has been revised. Three new species (C. uncinacanthus Zhang & Wang, sp. nov., C. denspinulifer Zhang & Wang, sp. nov., and C. fistulachaetodontus Zhang & Wang, sp. nov.) from the Philippines are described and illustrated in the present paper. An updated key to the species of the genus Chilocorellus is provided. In addition, a list of all known species and their distributions is also provided.

This work provides a preliminary inventory of West African Coccinellidae. This was based on the West African Coccinellidae (WAC) specimens in the holdings of insect collections at the Laboratoire de Zoologie des Invertébrés Terrestres at the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire Cheikh Anta Diop (IFAN), Senegal and the Biodiversity Center at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITAB), Benin. A total of 129 species representing 11 tribes and 40 genera is reported, including one species of the subfamily Microweiseinae and 128 species of the subfamily Coccinellinae. The geographic distribution of collection localities is presented for these species. Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius, 1775), Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant, 1850), Cheilomenes sulphurea (Olivier, 1791), Chnootriba elaterii (Rossi, 1794), Chnootriba similis (Thunberg, 1781), Exochomus laeviusculus Weise, 1909, Hyperaspis delicatula (Mulsant, 1850) and Hyperaspis pumila Mulsant, 1850 are the best represented species in these collections.

The genus Filipinolotis Miyatake has been reviewed in this study. Descriptions and illustrations of two species (F.latefasciata Miyatake and F.purpuratorotunda Wang, Zhang & Ślipiński, sp. n.) in the Luzon island of the Philippines, are given. The male genitalia of F.latefasciata are described for the first time. A key to known species is also provided.

Se describe una nueva especie de Murmidiidae para Chile, Murmidius melon sp. nov., perteneciente a la subfamilia Murmidiinae. Se proveen caracteres diagnósticos para las especies del género Murmidius, ilustraciones de los adultos y de las estructuras genitales de los machos, además de un mapa de distribución.

An updated and corrected checklist of species of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) known in Algeria now contains 75 species belonging in ten tribes. New country records include the European species Oenopiaconglobata and the invasive Asian species Harmoniaaxyridis. Sampling data is provided for 14 species found during a faunistic survey performed mostly in agroecosystems, together with host plant and prey species.

A taxonomic study of Korean Bothrideridae is presented. Two species, Antibothrus morimotoi Sasaji and Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire), are recognized and the former is recorded for the first time in Korea. A comparison of morphological features between two Korean species, habitus photograph, and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided.

A new monotypic genus of Chilocorini, Renius Li & Wang, gen. n., with a new species R. cornutus Li et Wang, sp. n. is described from Tibet, China. All diagnostic features are illustrated. The relationships with other genera of Chilocorini are discussed and a key to Chinese genera of Chilocorini is provided.

This paper presents a review of the genus Brachytrycherus Arrow from mainland China. Three new species are described and illustrated: B. bipunctatus Chang & Bi, sp. nov., B. denticulatus Chang & Bi, sp. nov., and B. humerali Chang & Bi, sp. nov. The diagnosis, distribution, type locality, biology, and ecology are provided for each species. A key to the species of Brachytrycherus known in China is updated.

The species of theEumorphusmarginatusgroup from Sulawesi are revised. Two previously known species,E.costatusandE.wegneri, are redescribed, and a new species,Eumorphusmirabilissp. n., is described. A key for identification of these species is provided.

A new species of Corticarina Reitter, 1881 (Coleoptera: Latridiidae), Corticarinaoscargloriorumsp. n. from Guatemala is described and illustrated. The differential diagnosis is established in relation to a group of other species of the genus.

The genus Filipinolotis Miyatake has been reviewed in this study. Descriptions and illustrations of two species (F.latefasciata Miyatake and F.purpuratorotunda Wang, Zhang & Ślipiński, sp. n.) in the Luzon island of the Philippines, are given. The male genitalia of F.latefasciata are described for the first time. A key to known species is also provided.

Intensive survey of museum collections and new field collecting resulted in discovery of six new, closely related species of the Neotropical Merophysiinae. A new species of the genus Lycoperdinella Champion, L. boliviensis sp. n., from Bolivia and Brazil, and five new species from Mexico for which a new genus is proposed here as Rueckeria gen. n.: R. inecol (type species), R. nigrileonis, R. ocelotl, R. puma, R. skelleyi spp. n., have been discovered. Lycoperdinella, Rueckeria gen. n., L. subcaeca Champion and all new species are diagnosed, described, and illustrated. Keys to the species of Lycoperdinella and Rueckeria and a distribution map are provided. A lectotype of Lycoperdinella subcaeca Champion, 1913 is designated. Molecular barcodes of three new species of Rueckeria are provided in order to help with the identification of these taxa.

During field investigations in 2017, Clemmus troglodytes was found in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Republic of Mordovia, Russia). Earlier, C. troglodytes was collected in Yaroslavl City (Yaroslavl region, Russia). In this paper we are reporting for the first time both genus Clemmus and species C. troglodytes for the fauna of Russia. These records of the species in Russia extend remarkably its range to the north and east.

A new species of the genus Pseudaspidimerus Kapur, 1948 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Pseudaspidimerus palatus Huo & Wang, sp. n. from the Malay Peninsula is described with illustrations and a distribution map. The genus Pseudaspidimerus is recorded for the first time from Malaysia and Singapore.

Coeliaria Mulsant, 1850 is revised based on the external morphology and genitalia of the adults and is distinguished from the other Chnoodini by the following characters: dorsal surface pubescent; antenna 11-segmented; hypomera with rounded fovea; tibia flat and angulated; abdominal postcoxal line incomplete, recurved and with oblique line. A new species, Coeliaria castanea sp. nov., from Brazil, and two new combinations, are proposed: Coeliaria bernardinensis comb. nov. and C. luteicornis comb. nov., expanding the distribution of the genus to Bolivia and Paraguay.

The Iranian checklist of the tribe Chilocorini Mulsant, 1846 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is updated. In total, 13 species belonging to four genera (Brumoides Chapin, 1965, Chilocorus Leach, 1815, Exochomus Redtenbacher, 1843, and Parexochomus Barovsky, 1922) are listed from Iran. An identification key to all genera and species currently known from Iran is presented along with illustrations of adult specimens and male genitalia.

Background The tribe Coccinellini is a group of relatively large ladybird beetles that exhibits remarkable morphological and biological diversity. Many species are aphidophagous, feeding as larvae and adults on aphids, but some species also feed on other hemipterous insects (i.e., heteropterans, psyllids, whiteflies), beetle and moth larvae, pollen, fungal spores, and even plant tissue. Several species are biological control agents or widespread invasive species (e.g., Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)). Despite the ecological importance of this tribe, relatively little is known about the phylogenetic relationships within it. The generic concepts within the tribe Coccinellini are unstable and do not reflect a natural classification, being largely based on regional revisions. This impedes the phylogenetic study of important traits of Coccinellidae at a global scale (e.g. the evolution of food preferences and biogeography). Results We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Coccinellini to date, based on three nuclear and one mitochondrial gene sequences of 38 taxa, which represent all major Coccinellini lineages. The phylogenetic reconstruction supports the monophyly of Coccinellini and its sister group relationship to Chilocorini. Within Coccinellini, three major clades were recovered that do not correspond to any previously recognised divisions, questioning the traditional differentiation between Halyziini, Discotomini, Tytthaspidini, and Singhikaliini. Ancestral state reconstructions of food preferences and morphological characters support the idea of aphidophagy being the ancestral state in Coccinellini. This indicates a transition from putative obligate scale feeders, as seen in the closely related Chilocorini, to more agile general predators. Conclusions Our results suggest that the classification of Coccinellini has been misled by convergence in morphological traits. The evolutionary history of Coccinellini has been very dynamic in respect to changes in host preferences, involving multiple independent host switches from different insect orders to fungal spores and plants tissues. General predation on ephemeral aphids might have created an opportunity to easily adapt to mixed or specialised diets (e.g. obligate mycophagy, herbivory, predation on various hemipteroids or larvae of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae)). The generally long-lived adults of Coccinellini can consume pollen and floral nectars, thereby surviving periods of low prey frequency. This capacity might have played a central role in the diversification history of Coccinellini. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-017-1002-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A new species, Scymnus (Scymnus) contortubus Rashid, Chen & Wang, sp. n., is described and illustrated from Pakistan. A diagnosis, remarks, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided of the new species and its most similar congener, S. (S..) nubilus Mulsant.

Rich sampling and modern research techniques, including SEM, revealed that rarely collected epilachnine species Epiverta chelonia is a complex of four closely related species: E. chelonia (Mader, 1933), E. albopilosa, E. angusta, and E. supinata spp. nov. All Epiverta species are described and illustrated, a key to the species and a distribution map are provided. Lectotype of Solanophila cheloniaMader, 1933 is designated and its type locality delimited to Yunnan Province, Deqin County (China).

Nephaspis indus Gordon, 1996 was imported into Taiwan from Hawaii in 1990 as a biological control agent for the spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, 1965 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). However, its establishment was not known prior to this study. Nephaspis indus Gordon, 1996, a natural enemy of Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) native to the Neotropical region, is recorded as established in Taiwan for the first time. The present paper provides a detailed further description and illustrations of the adult. Diagnostic characters for the genus and species are given and the nomenclature of this species is also discussed.

Five species of the genus Horniolus Weise, 1901 from China are revised, including the description of a new species, Horniolus hainanensis Chen & Ren, sp. n. Horniolus sonduongensis Hoàng, 1979 is reported from China for the first time. A key to the species from China is provided. Nomenclatural history, diagnoses, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and distribution for each species have been provided. A checklist of all known species of this genus is also presented.

The subgenus Orthoscymnus Canepari, 1997 of Scymnus Kugelann, 1794 is herein revised. Seven species of the Orthoscymnus fauna are recognized, of which four species, Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) jilongicus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) paradoxus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) crispatus sp. n. and Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) duomaculatus sp. n., are described as new to science. Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) rhododendri Canepari is recorded from China for the first time. Scymnus (Pullus) robustibasalis Yu is transferred to the subgenus Orthoscymnus (comb. n.). All species are diagnosed, described and illustrated, and distributions are provided for each species. A key to the species is included.

Micraspis pusillus sp. n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is described and illustrated from the northeastern region of India. It is unusual in possessing very large eye canthus and is the smallest species of the genus known from India so far.

Platynaspis flavoguttata (Gorham) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is redescribed and the male genitalia are illustrated for the first time. It is also recorded from Sri Lanka for the first time. Platynaspis bimaculata (Hoang, 1983) is a new junior synonym of Platynaspis bimaculata Pang & Mao, 1979 (new synonym). Platynaspis kapuri Chakraborty & Biswas, 2000, the replacement name for Platynaspis bimaculata Pang & Mao, 1979 established by Ukrainsky (2007), is also the new replacement name for Platynaspis bimaculata (Hoang, 1983), as both are junior homonyms of Platynaspis bimaculata Weise, 1888 besides being synonyms. Platynaspis hoangi Ukrainsky (2007) is an unnecessary replacement name for P. bimaculata (Hoang).

Based on the recent revised generic classification of the tribe Epilachnini (Szawaryn et al. 2015), all 27 genera are re-described, diagnosed, illustrated, and included in an identification key. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Epilachna ( Hypsa ) Mulsant 1850, Epilachna ( Cleta ) Mulsant 1850, Solanophila Weise 1898, Epilachna ( Aparodentata ) Wang and Cao 1993, and Epilachna ( Uniparodentata ) Wang and Cao 1993 are removed from synonymy of Epilachna Chervolat 1837. The subgenus Cleta of Epilachna is raised to the genus level, as Cleta Mulsant 1850 stat. nov.; the subgenus Uniparodentata of Epilachna is raised to the genus level, as Uniparodentata Wang and Cao 1993 stat. nov. Chazeauiana Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2015 (type species, Epilachna sahlbergi Mulsant 1850), and Epilachna ( Hypsa ) Mulsant 1850 (type species, Epilachna nigrolimbata Thomson 1875) are synonymized here under the name Cleta Mulsant 1850 (type species, Epilachna eckloni Mulsant 1850)—new synonyms; Fuerschia Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2015 (type species, Coccinella canina Fabricius 1781) is synonymized with Solanophila Weise 1898 (type species, Epilachna gibbosa Crotch 1874)—new synonym; Ryszardia Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2015 (type species, Epilachna decipiens Crotch 1874) and Epilachna ( Aparodentata ) Wang and Cao, 1993 (type species, Epilachna yongshanensis Cao and Xiao 1984) are synonymized under the name Uniparodentata Wang and Cao 1993 (type species, Epilachna paramagna Pang and Mao 1979)—new synonyms. Henosepilachna ( Elateria ) Fursch 1964 (type species: Coccinella elaterii Rossi 1794) is removed from synomyms of Henosepilachna Li 1961 [type species, Coccinella sparsa Herbst 1786 (= Coccinella vigintioctopunctata Fabricius 1775)] and is synonymized here with Chnootriba Chevrolat 1837 (type species: Coccinella similis Thunberg 1781)—new synonym. Coccinella flavofasciata Laporte 1840, Epilachna aequatorialis Gordon 1975, E. bizonata Crotch 1874, E. convergens Crotch 1874, E. cruciata Mulsant 1850, E. dubia Crotch 1874, E. monovittata Gordon 1975, E. orthostriata Gordon 1975, E. paracuta Gordon 1975, E. patricia Mulsant 1850, E. satipensis Gordon 1975, and E. univittata Crotch 1874 are transferred to Toxotoma Weise 1900 (comb. nov.); Afissa chapini Dieke 1947, A. complicata Dieke 1947, A. convexa Dieke 1947, A. magna Dieke 1947, A. militaris Dieke 1947, A. quadricollis Dieke 1947, A. subacuta Dieke 1947, A. szechuana Dieke 1947, Epilachna boymi Jadwiszczak and Wegrzynowicz 2003, E. crepida Pang and Ślipinski 2012, E . decipiens Crotch 1874, E. dorotae Bielawski 1979, E. hamulifera Pang and Ślipinski 2012, E. malleforma Peng, Pang and Ren 2002, E. siphodenticulata Hoang 1983, E. angusta Li 1961, E. bifibra Li 1961, E. chingjing Yu and Wang 1999, E. circumdata Hoang 1978, E. circummaculata Pang and Mao 1977, E. clematicola Cao and Xiao 1984, E. exornata Bielawski 1965, E. folifera Pang and Mao 1979, E. fugongensis Cao and Xiao 1984, E. glochisifoliata Pang and Mao 1979, E. gressiti Li 1961, E. lata Li 1961, E. madanensis Zeng 2002, E. media Li 1961, E. mobliteratiae Li 1961, E. yongshanensis Cao and Xiao 1984, Solanophila acuta Weise 1900, and S. saginata Weise 1902 are transferred to Uniparodentata Wang and Cao 1993 (comb. nov.); Coccinella canina Fabricius 1781, Epilachna dregei Mulsant 1850, E. infirma Mulsant 1850, E. murrayi Crotch 1874 and E. paykullii Mulsant 1850 are transferred to Solanophila Weise 1898 (comb. nov.); Afissula antennata Bielawski 1967, A. rana Kapur 1958, A. uniformis Pang and Mao 1979, Epilachna ampliata Pang and Mao 1979, E. flavimarginalis Hoang 1978, E. max Pang and Ślipinski 2012, E. parvula Crotch, E. plicata Weise 1889, and E. sanscrita Crotch 1874 are transferred to Afissa Dieke 1947 (comb. nov.); Epilachna papuensis Crotch 1874 and Subafissa brittoni Bielawski 1963 are transferred to Henosepilachna Li 1961 (comb. nov.); Epilachna admirabilis Crotch 1874, E. alternans Mulsant 1850, E. glochinosa Pang and Mao 1979, E. hopeiana Miyatake 1985, E. insignis Gorham 1892, E. macularis Mulsant 1850, E. parainsignis Pang and Mao 1979, and Solanophila maxima Weise 1898 are transferred to Diekeana Tomaszewska and Szawaryn 2015 (comb. nov.); Epilachna fulvohirta Weise 1895, E . nigrolimbata Thomson 1875, Henosepilachna griveaudi Chazeau 1975, H. vadoni Chazeau 1976, Solanophila consignata Weise 1909, S. coquereli Sicard 1907, and S. gyldenstolpei Weise 1924 are transferred to Cleta Mulsant 1850 (comb. nov.); Afidenta janczyki Fursch 1986, Epilachna capicola Mulsant 1850, E. godarti Mulsant 1850, E. scitula Weise 1898, Henospeilachna acervata Chazeau 1975, and Solanophila blaesa Weise 1905 are transferred to Afidentula Kapur 1958 (com. nov.); Coccinella elaterii Rossi 1794, C. hirta Thunberg 1781, C. pavonia Olivier 1808, Epilachna annulata Kolbe 1897, E. biplagiata Kolbe 1897, E. cinerascens Weise 1907, E. connectens Weise 1912, E. erichi Weise, 1897, E. occellata Bertoloni, 1849, E . pauli Weise, 1897, E. tetracycla Gerstaecker, 1871, E. umbratilis Weise 1909, E. vulgaris Weise 1901, Henosepilachna bigemmata Fursch 1991, Solanophila guttifera Weise 1899, S. hova Weise 1905, and S. kaffaeensis Weise 1906 are transferred to Chnootriba Chevrolat 1837 (com. nov.); Coccinella guttatopustulata Fabricius 1775, Epilachna aruensis Crotch 1874, E. biroi Weise 1902, E. buqueti Montrouzier 1861, E. fulvimana Weise 1903, E. immaculata Bielawski 1963, E. karapensis Bielawski 1963, E. orrori Bielawski 1963, E. samuelsoni Jadwiszczak 1991, and E. slipinskii Jadwiszczak 1987 are transferred to Papuaepilachna Tomaszewska and Szawaryn, 2013 (comb. nov.). The history of classification, the known aspects of the biology and distributional data of the tribe are summarized.