Search

Simple Summary: This study focuses on the assassin bug Sycanus bifidus, a widespread species in southern China, by analyzing its genetic data to trace how the Pleistocene's climate and geography influenced its distribution and evolution. There are two main genetic groups, which suggests that past climatic conditions and sea-level rises, especially concerning Hainan Island, profoundly impacted the spread and distribution of these bugs. This study's insights into the assassin bugs' historical population dynamics and adaptations to environmental changes emphasize the role of historical climatic fluctuations in shaping the distribution of species. The assassin bug Sycanus bifidus has a wide distribution across southern China. This study explored its distribution and evolution by analyzing mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal RNA genes, revealing how Pleistocene climate and geological changes shaped its phylogeography. We identified two main clades, A and B, that diverged in the Middle Pleistocene. Hainan Island's populations form a unique group within Clade A, suggesting that the Qiongzhou Strait served as a dispersal corridor during glaciation. Rising sea levels likely separated the Hainan population afterward. Ecological niche modeling showed that both populations have been viable since the last interglacial period, with demographic analyses indicating possible expansions during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, driven by favorable climates. This study highlights the significant effects of Pleistocene sea-level and climatic changes on the distribution and evolution of S. bifidus in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The reduviid genus Sycanus Amyot & Serville, 1843, possesses higher aesthetic value and plays a crucial role as a natural enemy in the control of agricultural and forestry pests. However, Sycanus from China has not undergone a comprehensive review for over four decades. Based on both molecular data and morphological evidence, we conducted a systematic review of the 14 Chinese Sycanus species, including a description of three new species. Due to the variability of body coloration and morphological similarity among closely related species, unresolved issues and debates still persist in the taxonomic study of the genus Sycanus from China. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation for Sycanus in China based on a COI DNA barcoding dataset comprising 81 samples. The results revealed that all the samples could be classified into 12 species by integrating molecular analyses with morphological comparison. This paper provides a comprehensive systematic review of the Sycanus species found in China, including descriptions of three new species: S. taiwanensis Zhao & Cai sp. nov., S. flavicorius Li & Cai sp. nov., and S. hainanensis Wang & Cai sp. nov. Furthermore, it is proposed that S. croceovittatus Dohrn, 1859, S. leucomesus Walker, 1873, and S. villicus Stål, 1863, are three synonyms of S. bifidus (Fabricius, 1787); S. bicolor Hsiao, 1979, is a synonym of S. versicolor Dohrn, 1859; and S. hsiaoi Maldonado-Capriles, 1990, is a synonym of S. marginellus Putshkov, 1987. Additionally, brief biological information is provided for two species, S. falleni Stål, 1863, and S. croceus Hsiao, 1979. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphidius gifuensis is a parasitoid wasp and primary endoparasitoid enemy of the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae. Artificially reared, captive wasps of this species have been extensively and effectively used to control populations of aphids and limit crop loss. However, the consequences of large-scale releasing of captive A. gifuensis, such as genetic erosion and reduced fitness in wild populations of this species, remains unclear. Here, we sequence the genomes of 542 A. gifuensis individuals collected across China, including 265 wild and 277 human-intervened samples. Population genetic analyses on wild individuals recovered Yunnan populations as the ancestral group with the most complex genetic structure. We also find genetic signature of environmental adaptation during the dispersal of wild populations from Yunnan to other regions. While comparative genomic analyses of captive wasps revealed a decrease in genetic diversity during long-term rearing, population genomic analyses revealed signatures of natural selection by several biotic (host plants) or abiotic (climate) factors, which support maintenance of the gene pool of wild populations in spite of the introduction of captive wasps. Therefore, the impact of large-scale release is reduced. Our study suggests that A. gifuensis is a good system for exploring the genetic and evolutionary effects of mass rearing and release on species commonly used as biocontrol agents. Parasitoid wasps are reared and released as biocontrol agents to manage aphids and protect crops. Here, the authors use genomes from 542 wasps to show that, in spite of wide scale release of low-diversity captive individuals, diversity in wild populations is maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Triatominae, commonly known as kissing bugs, are blood-feeding insects that can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi to spread Chagas disease. In this study, we conducted a taxonomic review of Chinese triatomines, which involved describing two new species, Triatoma picta Zhao & Cai sp. nov. and T. atrata Zhao & Cai sp. nov. We also calculated the pairwise genetic distances of Triatoma and offered a key to species of Triatominae in China. This review may facilitate a better understanding of the diversity of Chinese kissing bugs. Triatominae, the only blood-sucking subfamily in Reduviidae, are the vectors of Chagas disease. The majority of them are distributed in the Americas, while the diversity in China has been underestimated, as only two species have been recorded. Here, we describe two new species from China, Triatoma picta Zhao & Cai sp. nov. and T. atrata Zhao & Cai sp. nov., and provide a redescription of T. sinica Hsiao, 1965, along with remarks on T. rubrofasciata (De Geer, 1773). To facilitate the identification, we include photos, especially of genitalia, as well as a distribution map and a key to Chinese triatomines. We calculated the pairwise genetic distances between 23 Triatoma species, which further supported the validity of these new species. We anticipate that our taxonomic review will be useful for identifying Chinese Triatominae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cacopsylla, the most species-rich genus of Psyllidae, has around 500 known species worldwide. These insects are known for being host-specific, and some of them are regarded as important pests. Here, we described a new species, Cacopsylla fuscicella sp. nov., which develops on loquats. In addition, we sequenced its mitochondrial genome and used these data to construct a phylogenetic tree of Psyllidae, while also calculating the interspecific genetic distances. Using integrative taxonomy methods, we confirmed that the new species, Cacopsylla fuscicella sp. nov., should be grouped within genus Cacopsylla. Psylloidea, commonly known as jumping plant-lice, have a phloem-sucking habit and strong specificity to their host plants. Within the Psyllidae family, the genus Cacopsylla Ossiannilsson, 1970 stands out as being the most diverse, with three species feeding on the genus Eriobotrya Lindl. In this study, a new psyllid species, Cacopsylla fuscicella sp. nov., was described from China. It is a pest of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. and has been cultivated as a commercial fruit tree for years. Illustrations of habitus, morphological structures, and its damage to loquat were also provided. The complete mitochondrial genome of C. fuscicella sp. nov. was sequenced and annotated. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the maximum likelihood analyses confirmed C. fuscicella sp. nov. as a member of the genus Cacopsylla. Genetic distances were generated to assess comparative genetic distances within Psyllinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasion has been a serious global threat due to increasing international trade and population movements. Tracking the source and route of invasive species and evaluating the genetic differences in their native regions have great significance for the effective monitoring and management, and further resolving the invasive mechanism. The spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula is native to China and invaded South Korea, Japan, and the United States during the last decade, causing severe damages to the fruits and timber industries. However, its global phylogeographic pattern and invasion history are not clearly understood. We applied high‐throughput sequencing to obtain 392 whole mitochondrial genome sequences from four countries to ascertain the origin, dispersal, and invasion history of the spotted lanternfly. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that the spotted lanternfly originated from southwestern China, diverged into six phylogeographic lineages, and experienced northward expansion across the Yangtze River in the late Pleistocene. South Korea populations were derived from multiple invasions from eastern China and Japan with two different genetic sources of northwestern (Loess Plateau) and eastern (East Plain) lineages in China, whereas the each of Japan and the United States had only one. The United States populations originated through single invasive event from South Korea, which served as a bridgehead of invasion. The environmental conditions, especially the distribution of host Ailanthus trees, and adaptability possibly account for the rapid spread of the spotted lanternfly in the native and introduced regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new extinct family of Pentatomoidea, Primipentatomidae fam. nov., with four new genera and five new species (Primipentatoma peregrinagen. et sp. nov.,Primipentatoma fangigen. et sp. nov.,Breviscutum lunatumgen. et sp. nov.,Oropentatoma epicharagen. et sp. nov. andQuadrocoris radiusgen. et sp. nov.), is described from the Upper Mesozoic deposits of north-eastern China. A cladistic analysis based on a combination of fossil and extant morphological characters clarifies the phylogenetic status of the new family and allows reconstruction of the interfamily relationships within the superfamily Pentatomoidea. Major conclusions of the phylogenetic analysis are: (1) the fossils represent a monophyletic group interpreted as the sister group to all Pentatomoidea exclusive of Saileriolidae + Urostylididae; (2) Urostylididaesensu latois a paraphyletic group; (3) monophyly of Acanthosomatidae, Pentatomidae, Thyreocoridae, Dinidoridae, Phloeidae and Scutelleridae are strongly supported by high bootstrap values in the analysis, but the relationships among these families is less resolved; (4) monophyly of the Cydnidae was not supported. The time of origin of Pentatomoidea should be before the Early Cretaceous (125–130 Ma), and may be as early as the Late or Middle Jurassic with a centre of origin in East Asia. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A432B387-E3A1-42D3-8051-867EB5108318 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lychee stinkbug Mattiphus splendidus is an important pest which mainly distributed in southern China. In this study, we sequenced and described the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of M. splendidus, which is the first record in the genus Mattiphus. This mitogenome is 15,973 bp long and comprises of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. Gene order is identical to that of the putative ancestral arrangement of insects. All protein-coding genes initiate with ATN, expect ND1and COI use GTG or TTG as start codons and terminate with TAG or TAA, expect COI and COIII use TA or a single T residue as the stop codon. All tRNAs, ranging from 62 to 74 bp, can be folded into typical clover-leaf structure expect for tRNASer(GCU) and tRNAVal. The control region is 1,357 bp long with 73.5% A + T content. The phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of Tessaratomidae and the sister relationship between M. splendidus and Eusthenes cupreus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Insect parasitism was known in China for a long time in the form of parasitic tachinid flies of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.). These tachinid flies were first mentioned in the Chinese literature around 300 AD. The developmental cycle of this tachinid (possibly a species of the genus Exorista) were clearly described by Lu Dian in 1096. This antedates the first descriptions of insect parasitoids from Europe by 600 years. Another parasitic fly, a flesh fly (possibly Blaesoxipha lapidosa Pape) was noted as the main parasitoid of Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen in 1196. The first Chinese record with a correct description of the life cycle of a hymenopteran parasitoid dates from 1704. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: The assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) are one of the largest and morphologically most diverse families of true bug, having essential impacts on forest ecosystems as predators. The spinous reduviid genus Sclomina exhibits shape mimicry and protective coloration adapted to the spinous Rubus plant that they inhabit. The genus Sclomina shows gradual morphological variability, so its morphological classification is still unresolved, and its biology is almost unknown. In this study, DNA barcodes and morphological evidence were combined to accurately divide the species of a comprehensive collection sampled in South China and North Vietnam. We found three cryptic species. The biological information and mimicry behavior uncover their successive evolutionary survival strategies. Sclomina Stål, 1861 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is endemic to China and Vietnam, with only two species, Sclomina erinacea Stål, 1861 and Sclomina guangxiensis Ren, 2001, characterized by spinous body and dentate abdominal connexivum. However, due to variable morphological characteristics, Sclomina erinacea, which is widely distributed in South China, is possibly a complex of cryptic species, and Sclomina guangxiensis was suspected to be an extreme group of the S. erinacea cline. In the present study, we conducted species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of 307 Sclomina specimens collected from 30 sampling localities combined with morphological evidence. The result showed that all samples used in this study were identified as five species: Sclomina guangxiensis is a valid species, and Sclomina erinacea actually includes three cryptic species: Sclomina xingrensis P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov., Sclomina pallens P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov., and Sclomina parva P. Zhao and Cai sp. nov. In this paper, the genus Sclomina is systematically revised, and the morphological characteristics of the five species are compared, described, and photographed in detail. We elucidate the evolutionary history of Sclomina based on results of estimated divergence time. The body shape and coloration (green in nymph and brown in adult) of Sclomina match their environment and mimic the Rubus plants on which they live. The symbiotic relationship between Sclomina and spinous Rubus plants is presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities facilitate long-distance dispersal of insects beyond their native range. In particular, the transportation of live plants offers diffusion opportunities for some insects with weak flight abilities. The increase in urban afforestation also help insect reside in urban habitats. The flower thrips, Frankliniella intonsa , is a widespread pest that causes serious damage to many economically important plants. Human activities are likely to facilitate the dispersal of this pest, however, the population genetic structure of this pest remains unclear. Herein, high-throughput sequencing was used to obtain 149 whole mitochondrial genomes of flower thrips from 28 geographic populations in China. Population genetic analyses, phylogenetic reconstruction, and inference of demographic history were then performed. A weak genetic structure was found among all populations across large geographic distance in China, in which five mitochondrial haplotype lineages were resolved. One of the lineages was identified to be shared among most samples collected from central city areas, which may be derived from the surrounding areas. Demographic history analyses suggested a recent population expansion of F. intonsa. Overall, the present population genetic structure of flower thrips in China may be promoted by human-mediated urban afforestation across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thread-legged bug genus Proguithera Wygodzinsky, 1966 is recorded from China for the first time, and a new species, P. caspersi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The new species is cavernicolous and was collected on the walls of a cave together with another emesine species Myiophanes tipulina Reuter, 1881. The type species of the genus, P. drescheri (Wygodzinsky, 1966), is re-diagnosed based on the examination of the holotype. An updated key to species of the Guithera-Lutevula genus group is provided.

A new apterous flat bug genus and species, Paracremastaptera ximaensis Bai, Heiss Cai, gen. nov. and sp. nov., is described from Yunnan, China. The diagnostic morphological features of the new genus and species are illustrated.

A new apterous genus and species of flat bugs, Neolibiocoris obtusus gen. nov. and sp. nov., and an additional new species, Rotundocoris pyramidalis sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae: Carventinae), are described from Hainan Island, China. The diagnostic morphological features of the new genus and species are discussed and illustrated. A revised key to apterous genera of Carventinae from Hainan Island is presented.

A new apterous genus and species, Oblongocoris hainanensis gen. and sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae: Carventinae), are described from Hainan, China. The diagnostic morphological features of the new genus and species are discussed and illustrated, and a key to genera of Carventinae from Hainan Island is presented.

A new apterous genus, Rotundocoris gen. nov., and two included new species, R. stenonotum sp. nov. and R. obliquonotum sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae: Carventinae), are described from Hainan, China. The diagnostic morphological features of the genus and its two species are discussed and illustrated.

A new apterous genus, Neocrassocoris gen. nov., with two new species, N. pingbianensis sp. nov. and N. longzhouensis sp. nov. (Heteroptera: Aradidae: Carventinae), are described from Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces of China. The diagnostic morphological features of both taxa are described and illustrated.

In China, most research on shore bugs (Hemiptera: Leptopodomorpha: Saldidae) has been conducted intermittently during the second half of the 19th century. Records from the literature supplemented by our collections were used to construct an annotated list of 50 species in 13 genera and 2 subfamilies (Chiloxanthinae and Saldinae) of Saldidae now known from China. This paper also presents new distributional records and color plates depicting 26 species. Further, a list of 12 species of Saldidae known in neighboring territories that might occur in China is presented.

Based on new topotypical material, the apterous carventine genus Crassocoris Bai, Heiss Cai, 2007 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) with the type species C. hsiaoi Bai, Heiss Cai, 2007, is redescribed. A new, closely related apterous genus and species, Paracrassocoris hekouensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from Hainan, China. The diagnostic morphological features of both taxa are described and illustrated.

Phylogeographic patterns of some extant plant and vertebrate species have been well studied; however, they are poorly understood in the majority of insects. The study documents analysis of mitochondrial (COI, CYTB and ND5) and nuclear (5.8S rDNA, ITS2 and 28S rDNA) data from 419 individuals of Adelphocoris suturalis, which is one of the main cotton pests found in the 31 locations in China and Japan involved in the study. Results show that the species is highly differentiated between populations from central China and peripheral China regions. Analysis of molecular variance showed a high level of geographical differentiation at different hierarchical levels. Isolation-by-distance test showed no significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance among A. suturalis populations, which suggested gene flow is not restricted by distance. In seven peripheral populations, the high levels of genetic differentiation and the small Nem values implied that geographic barriers were more likely restrict gene flow. Neutrality tests and the Bayesian skyline plot suggested population expansion likely happened during the cooling transition between Last Interglacial and Last Glacial Maximum. All lines of evidence suggest that physical barriers, Pleistocene climatic oscillations and geographical heterogeneity have affected the population structure and distribution of this insect in China.

The assassin bugs of the genus Acanthaspis Amyot & Serville (Reduviinae) from China are revised. Fourteen species are recognized, described or redescribed and illustrated. Three species, A. fulviconnexa, A. melanota, and A. octoguttata, are described as new to science. Acanthaspis subinermis Hsiao 1976 is synonymized with A. laoensis Distant 1919. A key for the identification of Chinese species of Acanthaspis is provided. The biology of A. cincticrus Stål is briefly noted. The following species are newly recorded from adjacent countries: A. collaris Hsiao from Laos and Thailand, A. geniculata Hsiao from Vietnam, A. picta Hsiao from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, A. quinquespinosa (Fabricius) from Nepal, A. ruficeps Hsiao from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, and A. laoensis Distant  from Thailand.

To date, only the type species Lissonotocoris membranaceus Usinger & Matsuda 1959 is known and recorded from Vietnam and China, Hainan Island. Four new species of the previously monotypic genus Lissonotocoris are described and figured: loebli n.sp. (Thailand), glabronotus n.sp. (N.Vietnam), pachycerus n.sp. (Malaysia) and siamensis n.sp. (Thailand). A key for the identification of all 5 species is provided.

Henricohahnia parva sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the specimens collected from Yunnan Province of China. It represents the smallest-sized species of the genus Henricohahnia Breddin so far known. A key to the eight Chinese species of the genus is provided.

Flexitibia, a new genus, in the division Euagorasaria of the assassin bug subfamily Harpactorinae from Yunnan Province of China is described. The type species, Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., is described and illustrated. A key to the closely related genera is provided. The type specimens are kept in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University, Beijing.

The endemic Chinese psyllid genus Cornopsylla Li is reviewed with a revised generic diagnosis. Cornopsylla zanthoxylae Li and C. trichotoma Li are redescribed, and Cornopsylla magna sp. nov. and C. rotundiconis sp. nov. are described. Keys to adults and nymphs of this genus are given, and the systematic position of Cornopsylla is reviewed. The potential of Cornopsylla spp. as major pests on cultivated Zanthoxylum is discussed. Psylla sarcospermae (Li) comb. nov. is proposed for this species that does not share the generic characters of Cornopsylla.

Background: An extinct new family of Pentatomomorpha, Venicoridae Yao, Ren & Cai fam. nov., with 2 new genera and 2 new species (Venicoris solaris Yao, Ren & Rider gen. & sp. nov. and Clavaticoris zhengi Yao, Ren & Cai gen. & sp. nov.) are described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Northeast China., Methodology/principal Findings: A cladistic analysis based on a combination of fossil and extant morphological characters clarified the phylogenetic status of the new family and has allowed the reconstruction of intersuperfamily and interfamily relationships within the Infraorder Pentatomomorpha. The fossil record and diversity of Pentatomomorpha during the Mesozoic is discussed., Conclusions/significance: Pentatomomorpha is a monophyletic group; Aradoidea and the Trichophora are sister groups; these fossils belong to new family, treated as the sister group of remainder of Trichophora; Pentatomoidea is a monophyletic group; Piesmatidae should be separated as a superfamily, Piesmatoidea. Origin time of Pentatomomorpha should be tracked back to the Middle or Early Triassic.