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Scirtothrips, one of the largest genera of Thripinae, includes several species that are important pests for agricultural and horticultural plants. Scirtothrips genus-group comprises 11 genera, but phylogenetic relationships among these are unclear, as are the interspecific relationships within Scirtothrips. We used 61 morphological characters to study the morphological variation and phylogenetic relationships among the members of this genus-group. Phylogenetic analysis supported the inclusion of eight genera in Scirtothrips genus-group but excluded Ajothrips and Scirtidothrips, although the monophyly of Scirtothrips was not well-supported. Our analysis strongly supported two different species-groups both comprising species associated with Acacia in Australia, suggesting the occurrence of at least two separate radiations onto this plant genus. The monophyly of Scirtothrips perseae species-group was not supported; members of this group are involved in damage to avocado in the New World. The Scirtothrips aurantii species-group was recognised as comprising S. aurantii, Scirtothrips dodonaeae and Scirtothrips mugambii, based on one synapomorphic character, male hind femora with a comb of setae. We demonstrated that the conspicuous drepanae that occur in males of some Scirtothrips species evolved separately in New and Old World species. We discussed the relationships among Scirtothrips species together with data on geographic distributions and host plants, and noted inconsistencies that presumably result from homoplasy.

A new species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti, 1866 is recorded from Yunnan, China on Pistacia chinensis Bunge. Pulvinaria pistaciae Cao & Feng sp. n. is described and illustrated, based on adult female morphology. Pulvinaria decorata Borchsenius, 1957 is recorded for the first time from China (Henan and Shaanxi). A key to the adult females of Pulvinaria species known to occur in China is provided, and a table to show their distributions in various zoogeographical regions in China.

The adult female, adult male and all immature stages (except the male prepupa and pupa) of a new species of Fiorinia (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), F. yongxingensis Liu, Cai & Feng sp. n., collected from Hainan Province, China, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to identify the Fiorinia species known to occur in Hainan Province, China. The new species may become a significant pest on coconut palms.

A cladistic analysis based on 31 morphological characters of female adults recovered two genera currently placed in subfamily Thripinae, Bradinothrips Hood and Parascolothrips Mound, as closely related to two Panchaetothripinae genera, Monilothrips Moulton and Zaniothrips Bhatti. Thus, following the results of this analysis, we propose the transference of the first two genera to subfamily Panchaetothripinae, under the tribe Monilothripini.

Two new species of the family Cixiidae, Indolipa fopingensis, sp. nov. and Indolipa huapingensis, sp. nov., from China, are described and illustrated. A checklist to all species of this genus in the world and an identification key to Chinese species are provided. Host plants and a map of their geographic distribution are also provided.

Two new species of Unaspis (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) from China, U. menglunensis sp. n. and U. fanjingensis sp. n., are described and illustrated. A key to the world fauna species of Unaspis is provided.

Variation is discussed concerning the number of antennal segments in adults, and the number of their sense cones, among 182 of the 289 genera of Thripidae. Brief comments are also made concerning antennal structure and sensoria among the other seven terebrantian families. The plesiotypic condition for Thysanoptera is 9-segmented antennae, but fusion between various segments leads to a reduction in number to as few as five segments, and such fusion occurs in unrelated species. In Thripidae, antennal segment III never bears more than one sense cone, but the distribution of sense cones on segments IV–VIII varies and is tabulated. On antennal segment IV, species in nearly all Panchaetothripinae genera and more than half of Thripinae genera have two sense cones, but genera of Dendrothripinae and Sericothripinae bear only one on this segment. The differing patterns of segmental fusion that occur in Thripidae are discussed in association with the number of sense cones on VI–VIII; species with 7, 8 or 9 segmented antennae almost always lack a sense cone on the terminal segment. It is concluded that the number of antennal segments is subject to irregular homoplasy, and is thus sometimes an unreliable indicator of relationships.

Scale insects are one of the most fascinating and unusual types of organisms on Earth. Many species have been found in China, but the diversity and distribution patterns of Chinese scale insects are not well understood. To evaluate the diversity and distribution of scale insects in China, we compiled geographic distribution data from museum specimens and published literature and plotted these data using a Geographical Information System. Distribution centers of scale insects were identified by counting the number of species in each grid cell. Values were extracted from each environmental data set from each point and then the relationships between the distribution of scale insects and environment variables were explored using principal component analysis. There are 1,186 species of scale insects recorded in China belonging to 16 recognized families with an overall endemism of scale insect species of ∼48%. However, species-description accumulation curves of scale insects suggest that a full inventory of these taxa is far from complete. None of the species accumulation curves yet drawn have reached an asymptote, indicating that current sampling procedures are still not sufficiently intensive to capture most species present within each cell. Results suggest that the number of identified species of scale insects in China is underestimated by previous inventories, and their distribution is governed by complex ecological factors. Furthermore, it was confirmed that climate is the predominant environmental determinants affecting the distribution and diversity patterns of scale insects in China.

Thripidae, one of the largest families of Thysanoptera, is widely distributed throughout the world. To explore the phylogenetic relationships and current classification of Thripidae, a cladistic analysis is presented based on 117 morphological characters scored from 114 species representing 94 genera. This analysis was used to reconstruct the ancestral feeding habits of Thripidae, with the result that leaf-feeding is recognised as ancestral within this family, and flower-feeding derived. Thripidae is recovered as a monophyletic group, but the three subfamilies Dendrothripinae, Sericothripinae and Panchaetothripinae are all recovered as nested within the fourth and major subfamily Thripinae. Sericothripinae is related to the Scirtothrips genus-group in Thripinae, but a close relationship to Echinothrips is not supported. Intergeneric relationships within Dendrothripinae are relatively well resolved. Three tribes in Panchaetothripinae are not monophyletic but Tryphactothripini genera form a clade with Panchaetothrips. Subfamily Thripinae is paraphyletic, but includes several monophyletic genus-groups (Rhamphothrips genus-group, Trichromothrips genus-group, Thrips genus-group, Frankliniella genus-group, Chirothrips genus-group). Relationships within the Thrips genus-group are poorly resolved, presumably due to a high degree of homoplasy. Five genera (Amomothrips, Moundinothrips, Smilothrips, Ctenothrips and Sciothrips) are placed into the Taeniothrips genus-group, and three genera (Salpingothrips, Tusothrips and Chaetanaphothrips) are proposed as the Chaetanaphothrips genus-group. The previously accepted Anaphothrips genus-group and Mycterothrips genus-group are not recovered, presumably because the supporting characters are merely superficial resemblance with no phylogenetic significance. This work resolves the systematic relationships among most thripid genera, as well as providing a morphological background for the evolution of Thripidae.

The diagnostic characters of the genus Hemiberlesia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) are reviewed. The adult female, adult male and all immature stages (except the male prepupa and pupa) of a new species, H. serrulata Liu & Feng sp. n., collected from Henan Province, China, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to identify the Hemiberlesia species known to occur in China.

Eremiothrips Priesner, comprising 19 species in the world (ThripsWiki 2017), is a member of Anaphothrips genus-group in which species lack long setae or have only a single pair of more prominent setae on the pronotum (Bhatti et al. 2003, MoundMasumoto 2009). Two species in this genus, E. eshghii Minaei and E. efflatouni (Priesner), have no long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum in either sex, whereas the remaining members usually have one pair of long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum.

In insects, sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) are critical peripheral olfactory proteins and highly promote the sensitivity of pheromone detection. In this study, we cloned an SNMP transcript (CpomSNMP2, GenBank KU302714) from the antennae of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) Its open reading frame is 1,575 bp and it encodes a protein with 524 amino acids. CpomSNMP2 contains two putative transmembrane domains and has a large extracellular loop. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CpomSNMP2 is clustered into the group of previously characterized lepidopteron SNMP2s. Expression levels of CpomSNMP2 were significantly higher in antennae of both males and females than in tissues from the thoraxes, abdomens, legs, and wings. CpomSNMP2 was distributed in sensilla trichodea of both males and females, but only in sensilla chaetica of males. This study provides evidence for olfactory roles of CpomSNMP2 in this moth.

Biotransformation enzymes are found in insect antennae and play a critical role in degrading xenobiotics and odorants. In Cydia pomonella, we identified 26 biotransformation enzymes. Among these enzymes, twelve carboxylesterases (CXEs), two aldehyde oxidases (AOXs) and six alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs) were predominantly expressed in antennae. Each of the CpomCXEs presents a conserved catalytic triad "Ser-His-Glu", which is the structural characteristic of known insect CXEs. CpomAOXs present two redox centers, a FAD-binding domain and a molybdenum cofactor/substrate-binding domain. The antennal CpomADs are from two protein families, short-chain dehydrogenases/reducetases (SDRs) and medium-chain dehydrogenases/reducetases (MDRs). Putative catalytic active domain and cofactor binding domain were found in these CpomADs. Potential functions of these enzymes were determined by phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that these enzymes share close relationship with odorant degrading enzymes (ODEs) and resistance-associated enzymes of other insect species. Because of commonly observed roles of insect antennal biotransformation enzymes, we suggest antennal biotransformation enzymes presented here are candidate that involved in degradation of odorants and xenobiotics within antennae of C. pomonella.

The adult females of two new species of armored scale, Fiorinia tianshuiensis WeiFeng sp. n. and F. dinghuensis WeiFeng sp. n., are described and illustrated from specimens collected from China. A key is provided for the all Fiorilim species known from China.

Eremiothrips Priesner, comprising 19 species in the world (ThripsWiki 2017), is a member of Anaphothrips genus-group in which species lack long setae or have only a single pair of more prominent setae on the pronotum (Bhatti et al. 2003, Mound & Masumoto 2009). Two species in this genus, E. eshghii Minaei and E. efflatouni (Priesner), have no long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum in either sex, whereas the remaining members usually have one pair of long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum.