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Multi‐decadal monitoring has revealed dramatic evidence of global decline in arthropod biomass and biodiversity, yet little baseline information exists for Alaska, a region 1/5th the size of the contiguous US states. We documented patterns of aerial arthropod biomass and diversity in a multi‐year investigation of three regions in boreal Alaska—two in central Alaska (Fairbanks and Tetlin) and one in southcentral Alaska (Anchorage). Sampling employed canopy Malaise and near‐ground pollinator traps as part of a parallel study of a steeply declining songbird. Traps yielded 115,078 specimens of 15 orders and 692 unique taxa with body sizes ≥3 mm. During peak summer (15 June–15 July), mean aerial arthropod biomass was more than three times higher in traps in Fairbanks (50.6 mg·d−1, confidence interval [CI]: 34.5–63.7) than Anchorage (15.8 mg·d−1, CI: 9.3–26.4). Tetlin exhibited an intermediate value (35.4 mg·d−1, CI: 18.4–67.4). Temperature correlated positively with captured biomass, whereas wind (above 1.5 m·s−1) correlated negatively. To obtain species‐level diversity data, we focused on beetles, representing a wide range of feeding guilds and taxa. Beetles accounted for 6229 adult specimens, 364 unique (mostly species‐level) taxa and 47 families. Trophic categorizations of beetles were similar for the central Alaskan sites; both had a greater proportion of wood‐feeding beetles than Anchorage. Ten species are potentially new to science and 49 are new state records for Alaska. Our work provides the first insight into regional differences and seasonal trends in aerial arthropod biomass and diversity in boreal Alaska, creating important baselines for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Platanthera Rich. (Orchidoideae) comprise a speciose genus of orchids primarily in the northern hemisphere, with up to 200 known species worldwide. Individual species are known to self‐pollinate, but many rely on insect pollinators with characteristics such as floral color, timing of floral odor emissions, nectar rewards, and spur length associated with particular pollination syndromes. As with many orchids, some orchid–pollinator associations are likely highly co‐evolved, but we also know that some Platanthera spp. are the result of hybridization events, which implies a lack of pollinator fidelity in some cases. Some Platanthera spp. occur in large numbers which, coupled with the numerous Platanthera–pollinator systems, make them accessible as study species and useful for co‐evolutionary studies. Due to the likely effects of climate change and ongoing development on Platanthera spp. habitats, these orchids and their associated pollinators should be a focus of conservation attention and management. However, while there is a fairly substantial literature coverage of Platanthera–pollinator occurrence and interactions, there are still wide gaps in our understanding of the species involved in these systems. In this systematic review, we outline what is current knowledge and provide guidance on further research that will increase our understanding of orchid–insect co‐evolutionary relationships. Our review covers 157 orchid species and about 233 pollinator species interacting with 30 Platanthera spp. We provide analyses on aspects of these interactions such as flower morphology, known insect partners of Platanthera species, insect‐Platanthera specificity, pollination visitor timing (diurnal vs. nocturnal), floral rewards, and insect behavior affecting pollination outcomes (e.g., pollinia placement). A substantial number of Platanthera spp. and at least a few of their known pollinators are of official (IUCN) conservation concern – and many of their pollinators remain unassessed or even currently unknown – which adds to the urgency of further research on these co‐evolved relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Prepuneño del Monte District of the province of Jujuy extends the Quebrada de Humahuaca, declared World Heritage under the category of cultural landscape. Within the framework of the implementation of this figure, the inventories of species, particularly of arthropods and their relationship with the local plant formations along the altitudinal gradient of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, constitute basic information to complete the description of the fauna of the region. find conservation indicator taxa and interpret possible impacts of climate change. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to know the taxonomic composition of epigeal arthropods and analyze their diversity in an altitudinal and temporal gradient included in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Four sites were selected, Tumbaya Grande (TG), Chucalezna (CH), Coraya (CO) and Tres Cruces (TC), in which arthropods were collected using pitfall traps, active for 48 h, in autumn, winter and spring of 2016 and summer of 2017. The abundance and richness of arthropod species/morphospecies, alpha, beta and gamma diversity, and their functional groups were analyzed. A total of 6426 arthropods were collected and 103 species/morphospecies were identified distributed in the classes Collembola, Insecta, Arachnida and Malacostraca. Abundances decreased with altitude, but richness decreased at intermediate altitudes and was high at the extremes of the gradient, due to the structure and composition of the vegetation. The warm and more humid periods, especially summer, favored the increase in the richness and abundance of arthropods, although there was greater dominance in winter compared to summer. Formicidae represented 75% of the total arthropods collected. The proportion of species shared between the sites was 14.6% of the total species recorded, while the exclusive were TG=25, CH=6, CO=5 and TC=13. The dominant functional group was the omnivore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Platanthera Rich. (Orchidoideae) comprise a speciose genus of orchids primarily in the northern hemisphere, with up to 200 known species worldwide. Individual species are known to self‐pollinate, but many rely on insect pollinators with characteristics such as floral color, timing of floral odor emissions, nectar rewards, and spur length associated with particular pollination syndromes. As with many orchids, some orchid–pollinator associations are likely highly co‐evolved, but we also know that some Platanthera spp. are the result of hybridization events, which implies a lack of pollinator fidelity in some cases. Some Platanthera spp. occur in large numbers which, coupled with the numerous Platanthera–pollinator systems, make them accessible as study species and useful for co‐evolutionary studies. Due to the likely effects of climate change and ongoing development on Platanthera spp. habitats, these orchids and their associated pollinators should be a focus of conservation attention and management. However, while there is a fairly substantial literature coverage of Platanthera–pollinator occurrence and interactions, there are still wide gaps in our understanding of the species involved in these systems. In this systematic review, we outline what is current knowledge and provide guidance on further research that will increase our understanding of orchid–insect co‐evolutionary relationships. Our review covers 157 orchid species and about 233 pollinator species interacting with 30 Platanthera spp. We provide analyses on aspects of these interactions such as flower morphology, known insect partners of Platanthera species, insect‐Platanthera specificity, pollination visitor timing (diurnal vs. nocturnal), floral rewards, and insect behavior affecting pollination outcomes (e.g., pollinia placement). A substantial number of Platanthera spp. and at least a few of their known pollinators are of official (IUCN) conservation concern – and many of their pollinators remain unassessed or even currently unknown – which adds to the urgency of further research on these co‐evolved relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite Arthropoda being a major animal taxon, it is underrepresented in South American scientific publications. Here, we present the results of a bibliometric analysis of published studies on insects and arachnids in Colombia to understand the general patterns of knowledge of both taxa across this megadiverse country. We compiled 3119 studies on insects and 353 on arachnids published between 1918 and 2019 in more than 600 journals. Research on both insects and arachnids reflects the effort done by researchers working in Colombian institutions, but because publications are mainly domestic, their international impact is limited. The studies included 19 taxonomic orders of insects and 72 families of arachnids with a bias toward a few well-studied taxa like Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Araneidae, and Salticidae, while the majority of taxa are understudied. The geographic coverage of the studies was broad and includes Colombia's 32 departments, but their distribution was heterogeneous being the Andean region the most studied, while the Caribbean and Orinoquia regions could be considered knowledge gaps. Considering our analysis, we give recommendations to expand and advance the knowledge of Colombian insects and arachnids, a major scientific enterprise in which collaboration among researchers from different institutions is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grylloidea (crickets) and Gryllotalpoidea (mole crickets and ant crickets) are relatively ancient lineages within Orthoptera but their fossil records are not very rich. They are currently considered sister clades within the Gryllidea but with obvious differences in morphology and ecological adaptations. We report a new gryllidean family, †Pseudogryllotalpidae fam. nov. with three new genera and four new species, viz. †Pseudogryllotalpa scalprata gen. et sp. nov., †Unidigitus longialatus gen. et sp. nov., †Petilus zhengi gen. et sp. nov. and †Chunxiania fascia sp. nov. from the mid‐Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (ca. 99 million years ago). Their external and short ovipositors and their modified fossorial forelegs suggest a soil‐inhabiting preference. This new family exhibits a series of 'intermediate' character states between Grylloidea and Gryllotalpoidea and seems to be a 'transitional' fossil group linking these two superfamilies. This new family was resolved as a sister group of the extant Gryllotalpoidea and provides a new insight into the relationship and evolution of Grylloidea and Gryllotalpoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, environmental DNA (eDNA) assays have become an essential tool to investigate species presence with samples from the environment instead of collected specimens. eDNA sampling techniques have proved their worth in freshwater and marine studies; now, some trends emerge for their use in terrestrial habitats and particularly to study arthropods. After a systematic review of the literature, we illustrate and analyse the diversity of such studies and discuss their benefits and drawbacks. We identified the most relevant research themes and focused on (i) the taxa and environmental sample types targeted and (ii) the details of the survey scheme. In parallel, we also assessed the available number of sequences from cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S and 18S barcode regions for four major taxa (spiders, centipedes, springtails and insects) in relation to their diversity. We found strong taxonomic and geographic biases regarding coverage per barcode. eDNA research on terrestrial arthropods mainly focuses on insect species that affect humanity in a positive or negative way, and the availability of sequences is much higher for species from temperate‐developed countries than from tropical ones. Moreover, although a high variety of environmental samples are being used, most studies do not assess the barcode completeness of the target taxa nor compare the efficacy of eDNA monitoring technique to other well established and known traditional techniques. Careful workflow designs and comparisons are needed before giving any management or conservation advice as eDNA monitoring does not come without error. Strengths and weaknesses of eDNA assays for conservation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we describe a Brachypeza sg. Ristocordyla sp. undetermined from the Eocene Baltic amber, as the first fossil representative of its subgenus, otherwise known from one extant Palaearctic species. We avoid naming it because it is based on a female specimen, hardly comparable to the extant species and to future fossils from the Baltic amber, because the species differences are mainly based on the male genitalia. As other recently described amber species, the new fossil supports a likely rapid radiation of the tribe Exechiini followed by an evolutionary stasis at the genus level.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3C601626-8EA6-495C-953C-BE1494B20A84 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: While feeding, the larvae of pygmy moths (Nepticulidae) consume part of a leaf's photosynthetic tissue, thus causing damage to the host plant. Although these insects play a natural role in terrestrial ecosystems, they are perceived as pests in horticulture. This study investigates the identity of a potential Nepticulidae pest infesting plum trees in the Caucasus, initially presumed to be the widespread European Stigmella plagicolella (Stainton). Contrary to expectations, our detailed taxonomic analysis revealed a new species of pygmy moth with distinct male genitalia morphology and molecular differences from its European counterpart. This discovery challenges previous records and highlights the need for accurate pest identification. We hypothesize that the proximity of the Caucasus to Europe emphasizes the importance of monitoring and preventing unintentional pest spread, particularly given potential climate change impacts on the distribution and behavior of pests. Our findings contribute to both practical pest management and scientific understanding of evolutionary processes shaping the Caucasian and European biota. In instances of severe infestations, Nepticulidae larvae can inflict damage on cultivated plants. Previously, it was assumed that the Prunus-feeding Nepticulidae have continuous distribution from Europe to the neighboring Caucasus. During recent fieldwork in the Caucasus, leaf mines were found on plum trees that initially resembled those of Stigmella plagicolella (Stainton) in Europe. However, upon rearing the adults, significant differences emerged, leading to the hypothesis that a different Prunus-feeding species exists in the Caucasus; this challenges previous records in Western Asia. This paper presents the outcomes of our morphological, molecular, and statistical investigations, unveiling S. colchica sp. nov., a previously unknown potential plum-tree pest. Distinguished by male genitalia characteristics, the new species differs from S. plagicolella. The inter- and intraspecific divergences between S. colchica sp. nov. and S. plagicolella range from 3.5% to 6.02%. Moreover, the utilized delimitation algorithms reliably clustered two species separately, as does our mitotype network. A statistical analysis also shows a discernible trend between the leaf mines of S. colchica sp. nov. and S. plagicolella. This unexpected discovery not only documents a new potential pest, enhancing our understanding of the Caucasian fauna, but also contributes to the broader biological inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first fossil limoniid fly from the Miocene Fossil-Lagerstätte of Foulden Maar in New Zealand is described on the basis of an isolated well-preserved wing. The specimen is tentatively attributed to a new species Gynoplistia fouldensensis sp. nov. in the large extant genus Gynoplistia, which is well diversified in the country. It is the second fossil record of this genus, the first one being an isolated wing from the Cretaceous Weald Clay Formation in the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeshna caseneuvensis sp. nov., the second oldest representative of the genus Aeshna, is described and figured from the lowermost Oligocene of Luberon in southeastern France. The oldest described species in this genus is from the uppermost Eocene of Colorado in USA. Their occurrence in very distant areas in an interval of time of less of five millions years strongly suggests that the genus is older, possibly appearing during the middle Eocene, as it is still unknown in the early Eocene odonate faunas. The specimen could be studied thanks to a technique of photograph under UV light newly developed by one of us (RG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker), is a nocturnal long-distance migratory pest. While searchlight and ground light traps have been widely applied to predict its migration pattern and implement effective pest control measures, the eye structure and adaptation of M. separata have received less attention. The moth possesses a pair of superposition eyes, characterized by a clear zone. The retina of M. separata shows significant adaptational variations under light and dark conditions: the cross-sectional areas of the ommatidial retinulae and rhabdoms, as well as the rhabdom occupation ratio, within the clear zone are significantly larger under dark adaptation than under light adaptation. The opposite trend is observed beneath the clear zone. These findings indicate remarkable plasticity in the retina of M. separata throughout a normal daily cycle, providing valuable information to improve searchlight and ground light trap techniques. The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker), is a well-known nocturnal migratory pest that relies on its exceptional nocturnal vision for navigation during long-distance flights. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructure of the compound eyes of adult M. separata using transmission electron microscopy and quantitatively evaluated adaptational changes in the retina under light and dark conditions. The compound eyes of M. separata are superposition eyes with a clear zone. The retina shows remarkable anatomical differences under light and dark adaptation, primarily characterized by distinct patterns of rhabdoms within the clear zone: the rhabdoms are nearly absent under light adaptation, but become more voluminous under dark adaptation. In the distal, middle, and proximal sections of the clear zone, the cross-sectional areas of retinulae and rhabdoms, as well as the rhabdom occupation ratio, are significantly larger under dark adaptation than under light adaptation. Conversely, the opposite trend is observed beneath the clear zone. These results indicate remarkable plasticity in the M. separata retina throughout a normal daily cycle, providing a theoretical basis for improving searchlight and ground light trap techniques for the management of this migratory species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hervetia paleocenica gen. et sp. nov., the second oldest representative of the wasp family Cimbicidae, is described from the Palaeocene of Menat (Puy-de-Dôme, France). It shows the main putative synapomorphy of the Palaeogene subfamily Cenocimbicinae, but its anal veins and cells are unique among the whole family. The description of this new taxon confirms the high diversity of the Cimbicidae during the Palaeocene and Early Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubtail dragonfly Lindenia heeri sp. nov., is described and figured as the first fossil representative of the extant lindeniine genus Lindenia, based on a finely preserved forewing from the mid-Miocene lacustrine maar of Öhningen, Germany. The new species differs from the type and only species of Lindenia tetraphylla in the dark brown pterostigma covering ten cells vs. only five. Otherwise its forewing venation is identical to that of the modern species. The paleoclimatic data fit well with the climatic preferences of extant Lindenia tetraphylla, consistent with the generally warmer climate of that region during that period of time, allowing for more Mediterranean or even subtropical elements of the flora and fauna to persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubtail dragonfly Lindenia heeri sp. nov., is described and figured as the first fossil representative of the extant lindeniine genus Lindenia, based on a finely preserved forewing from the mid-Miocene lacustrine maar of Öhningen, Germany. The new species differs from the type and only species of Lindenia tetraphylla in the dark brown pterostigma covering ten cells vs. only five. Otherwise its forewing venation is identical to that of the modern species. The paleoclimatic data fit well with the climatic preferences of extant Lindenia tetraphylla, consistent with the generally warmer climate of that region during that period of time, allowing for more Mediterranean or even subtropical elements of the flora and fauna to persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dragonfly Aeshnoptera greatly diversified with a wide distribution during the Mesozoic. The genus Cymatophlebia is one of the most diversified aeshnopteran dragonflies, which survived during the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. In the present study, Cymatophlebia daohugouensis sp. nov. the oldest-known representative of this genus is described from the Middle Jurassic (upper Callovian) Haifanggou Formation of northeastern China. It differs from the other species of Cymatophlebia in having three rows of cells in the postdiscoidal area before the midfork, four-celled discoidal and subdiscoidal triangles, and two rows of cells between Rspl and IR2 basally. This study provides new clues for exploring the early origination and evolution of the cymatophlebiid dragonflies in Laurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species, Jantarineura serafini Gębicki, Walczak and Świerczewski, belonging to the extinct tribe Protodikraneurini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae was described from Baltic amber. The description includes visible external characters based on a single female, especially tegminal venation. Protodikraneurini was classified as a distinctive or at least characteristic element of the fauna inhabiting ecosystems of amber forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silkworm industry plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, particularly in regions like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. This industry heavily relies on mulberry plants (Morus alba L.) as the primary food source for silkworms (Bombyx mori). The quality of mulberry leaves directly influences cocoon quality and colour, making Moriculture pivotal in sericulture. Mulberry plants face various challenges, including diseases and pest infestations, affecting leaf growth and silk quality. This study, conducted at Holy Cross College, Tamil Nadu, aims to identify and analyze arthropods damaging mulberry leaves. Arthropods from two classes, Insecta and Arachnida, were identified and classified into orders, families, and genera. Hemiptera emerged as the most diverse order among Insects. Notably, sap-sucking insects like mealy bugs, hoppers, and jassids were observed, consistent with previous research. The Shannon Weinner index, Species richness and Species evenness were found to be more in the mulberry garden as per this study. The study's findings emphasized the need for integrated pest management strategies to enhance mulberry leaf production for the sericulture industry's sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of 22 species of Pyralidae and 19 species of Crambidae recorded in the Serrania de Cuenca Natural Park are presented, nine of which are cited for the first time for the province of Cuenca. The presence of Chrysocrambus dentuellus is confirmed and the Iberian distribution of Epischnia castillella is extended. Biogeographically, Eurasiatic and Mediterranean elements (48.8%, in both cases) are the most common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viridiflumineagrion aasei gen. et sp. nov., attributed to the group 'Megapodagrionidae' sensu lato, is described and illustrated on the basis of a rather well-preserved fossil of a small damselfly from the Lower Eocene Green River Formation. It is compared to the other fossil taxa currently attributed to this group. The late Eocene genus Miopodagrion (Florissant, USA) and the early Eocene 'Megapodagrionidae genus and species A' described by Petrulevičius et al. (fig. 4) (Denmark), are the fossils that most closely resemble the new taxon. The new discovery confirms that the damselflies with venations of 'megapodagrionid' type were very diverse during the Palaeogene. . . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kingdom of Lesotho in southern Africa is entirely bordered by South Africa, with which it shares many geological and vegetation types, but the vast extent of alpine vegetation and high altitudes suggests that differences in insect diversity should be expected. Globally, the Diptera are one of the most diverse orders of insects, though biodiversity estimates for the order are lacking for many regions. Here, we present a summary of the limited historical Diptera collections from Lesotho, summarise our collecting expeditions in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and provide photographs and descriptions of the collecting sites. This paper is the first of a series of papers in a Topical Collection of the Diptera of Lesotho in African Invertebrates. We hope to stimulate more research on Afrotropical Diptera and to improve their conservation in Lesotho in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Araripegomphus ismari sp. nov., the fifth species of the genus Araripegomphus, and the fourth species of this genus in the Crato Formation (Brazil), is described and illustrated based on a well-preserved hind wing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liassophlebiidae is an extinct family of damsel-dragonflies found in Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata of Europe, Asia and Antarctica. Whilst Liassophlebiidae is well represented by Lower Jurassic fossils, their lowest occurrence in the Upper Triassic has hitherto only been suggested by three fragmentary specimens. These were originally ascribed to two species: Liassophlebia withersi and Liassophlebia batheri, but the latter is now considered nomen dubium. Here we describe a fourth, better preserved specimen that is likely to be Rhaetian (Late Triassic) in age. The specimen, BRSMG Cg3101 a+b, was collected from Bowdens Quarry, Somerset, UK, from the lower part of the White Lias Formation. The specimen comprises an incomplete forewing attributed to Liassophlebia due to: the small number of antenodals, antesubnodals and crossveins between RP and MA based RP3/4 in the base of RP2 opposite the subnodus; a straight and elongate secondary longitudinal vein in the postdiscoidal area; numerous cells and secondary veins in radial and median areas. The specimen is likely to represent a new species and provides stronger evidence than the previous three specimens of the presence of Liassophlebiidae during the late Rhaetian. Its stratigraphical position suggests that Liassophlebiidae arose in the immediate aftermath of the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of Odonatoptera is described and figured from the Amisan Formation as Koreaphlebia iussradiae gen. et sp. nov. This new genus and species is placed in the Zygophlebiidae and differs from all other zygophlebid, inter alia, owing to the forewing with a distinct bridge IR2-RP2-IR1 perfectly straight, crossvein between MP and Cu+AA below apex of MAb vertical and rather long, base of CuP separating from that of CuA opposite point of junction between MAa and MP, at the crossing point of 'pillar' and Cu+AA, and RP3/4 with at most short distal branches covering a small area. This new specimen is the first Zygophlebiidae from the Amisan Formation. The temporal range of the Triadophlebiomorpha is used to discuss the dating of the Amisan Formation. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:80F2B019-DF37-4DCB-9D92-1EB825A11D58 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of species in many genera of Neotropical Mantodea is a difficult task because of a lack of revisionary works with keys and illustrations of male genitalia. One of these genera is Pseudomiopteryx Saussure, 1870 , which is known to be composed of 10 species and one subspecies of small (19–25 mm) brownish praying mantises that live in the leaf litter of tropical forests of Central America, the Amazon, and the Andean tropics. The genus is revised and the known valid species are redescribed based mainly on type-material. The results yield 11 valid species, including a new species from Costa Rica: Pseudomiopteryx riverai sp. n. Pseudomiopteryx amazonensis Toledo-Piza, 1968 is a junior synonym of Pseudomiopteryx guyanensis Chopard, 1911 , and the subspecies Pseudomiopteryx bogotensis gorgonae Ariza & Salazar, 2005 was raised to species level. A syntype specimen of Pseudomiopteryx decipiens, Pseudomiopteryx guyanensis , and Pseudomiopteryx infuscata Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 was herein designated as the lectotype. New information on geographical distributions and natural history were given, and descriptions of the female, ootheca, and first instar nymph of Pseudomiopteryx spinifrons were presented. The geographical distributions of some species are extended. A key to males of all species is given, as well as detailed figures of male genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endopterygote insects are very scarcely found in the Carboniferous strata while their occurrence during the Permian becomes more common. Here, we present the earliest evidence of the stem group Amphiesmenoptera (clade Mecopterida) from the Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) of the Piesberg quarry near Osnabrück (Lower Saxony, Germany), which shares a number of venation traits with representatives of the Permian family Microptysmatidae. Microcarbonella paradoxa gen. nov. et sp. nov. is based on the wing venation diagnosed by the characteristic branching pattern of radial veins and particularly looping anal area in form of two anal cells. This tiny insect species with wing length reaching over 6 mm demonstrates that early caddisfly-like endopterygotes co-existed in coal swamp ecosystems along with far more abundant hemimetabolous insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinomesuropetala daohugensis gen. nov. et sp. nov., first accurate Chinese representative of the Mesozoic family Mesuropetalidae, is described from the Haifanggou Formation near the Daohugou village in northeastern China. The exceptional preservation of the fossil allows the description of reproductive structures seldom observed in compression fossils. It confirms the high diversity of the 'basal' Aeshnoptera during the Middle-Late Jurassic, especially in China. This new finding confirms the widespread distribution of the Mesuropetalidae during the Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valgus cantalensis sp. nov., second fossil species of the scarabaeid subfamily Valginae, is described from the Upper Miocene Konservat-Laggerstätte of Sainte-Reine (France). The fossil is compared to the extant valgine genera and Valgus spp., showing it is a new species. But its exact affinities in the genus Valgus remain undetermined because of the lacking of a recent morphological phylogenetic analysis of the Valgus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligaeschna sinica sp. nov., the oldest recorded and first Chinese representative of the Cenozoic aeshnid genus Oligaeschna, is described from the Bartonian of Tibet. This fossil is also among the oldest known representatives of the family Aeshnidae sensu stricto. Its presence in the Niubao Formation supports a temperate, cool to warm climate for the area during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cratoaeschnidium martinsnetoi gen. et sp. nov., third genus and species of the family Aeschnidiidae from the Crato Formation (Brazil), is described and illustrated based on one well-preserved forewing. It can be differentiated from the other genera in the family, inter alia, because its discoidal triangle is very narrow with only one row of cells; three rows of cells between Mspl and MAa, and between Rspl and IR2; one row of cells between CuAa and MP in basal part; three rows of cells between RP3/4 and MAa. This new genus and species confirms that much can be expected in regard to discovering the Odonata in the Crato Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permoridium fresenaci gen. et sp. nov., the oldest putative representative of the bug suborder Coleorrhyncha, is described from the lower Permian of Germany, in the new family Permoridiidae. The main autapomorphies of the new taxon are the separation of M+CuA from R at extreme wing base and the veins CuP and PCu strongly appressed. Its position in the Hemiptera is discussed. Its attribution to the modern Coleorrhyncha is supported by the putative synapomorphies 'a very long and well-defined ScP, ending into RA', 'ScP appressed R +M+CuA at extreme wing base' and 'a strong ScA, distant from costal vein and with a short anterior branch at its extreme base, ending into C, plus posterior branches'. The relationships of the extinct families Hoploridiidae, Karabasiidae and Progonocimicidae with the extant Coleorrhyncha are discussed. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6B3A89FF-6265-4F50-A73E-11D791488909 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lusitadischia sai gen. et sp. nov., an orthopteran Oedischiidae from the lower Gzhelian (Pennsylvanian, Carboniferous) of Portugal is described and figured based on an incomplete forewing. This is the second representative of Oedischiidae so far known from the Iberian Peninsula. Following several recent discoveries, Lusitadischia sai supports that Carboniferous entomofauna of Portugal was more diverse than the limited fossilisation potential and sampling difficulties would formerly suggest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Industrial activities significantly damage the surrounding environment due to the release of contaminants of various types. Therefore, the search for parameters that can provide information on the quality of the environment is of great relevance. In this research, for the first time, specimens belonging to Opsius heydeni, an insect living on Tamarix plants, were sampled and analyzed at two Sicilian sites (the polluted industrial site Priolo Gargallo and the control site Oasi del Simeto) to study the effect of pollution on wildlife organisms. Using molecular biology techniques, it has been seen that environmental pollutants can modify the mitochondrial DNA in these specimens; in particular, a decrease in the number of DNA molecules was observed in the specimens sampled at Priolo Gargallo. In conclusion, these results highlight how the studied species can be useful to monitor the effects of pollutants on biota. Mitochondrial DNA easily undergoes alterations due to exposure to stress factors. In particular, mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) variation can be used as a biomarker of the effect of exposure to various environmental contaminants. In this study, a molecular investigation based on the evaluation of mtDNAcn variation was applied for the first time to individuals belonging to the species Opsius heydeni. A total of 20 samples were collected from two sites in eastern Sicily: Priolo Gargallo, a site with a strong anthropic impact, and the Simeto river Oasis, a control site. Specimens identified based on morphological traits were used to obtain COI gene sequences from this species that were not previously available in GenBank. After processing, the relative mtDNAcn was evaluated using real-time PCR of a portion of the COI and 18S genes. A decrease in the mtDNAcn in the specimens from the polluted site was observed. These results highlight how environmental contaminants can alter the mitochondrial genome and how Opsius heydeni can be considered a potential bioindicator species of environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleocene Paskapoo Formation in Alberta, Canada, offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into insect diversity at that time. This fossil insect-rich formation has yielded a variety of fossil arthropod specimens, including several wings of Odonata related to the genus Alloaeschna Wighton and Wilson, 1986. Here, we demonstrate that morphological characters previously used to separate three species are instead the result of intraspecific variability. We reinforce this demonstration using two examples of high variability and plasticity in modern species of the family Aeshnidae. Accordingly, we reinterpreted the taxonomic position of Alloaeschna marklae Wighton and Wilson, 1986 syn. nov. and Alloaeschna quadrata Wighton and Wilson, 1986 syn. nov. as junior synonyms of Alloaeschna paskapooensis Wighton and Wilson, 1986. In addition, we describe the first occurrence of a zygopteran in the Paskapoo Formation, namely Albertalestes paskapooensis gen. et sp. nov. (Synlestidae). Importantly, this new taxon is the first representative of the family found in North America. We also reconstructed the relationships within the Synlestidae under Bayesian inferences with a newly assembled matrix. Finally, we discuss the biogeography of the clade considering its fossil record using parsimony ancestral state reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of insect infestation is a key to the adoption of control measures appropriated to each local condition. The use of remote sensing was recommended for a quick scanning of large areas, although it does not work well with signals bearing low intensity or items that are difficult to detect. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, or drone) may help in getting closer to individual trees and detect atypical signals of small dimensions. The larvae of the pine processionary moth (PPM, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775, Lepidoptera, Notodontidae) build conspicuous silk nests on the external parts of the host plants at the beginning of the winter and their early detection may prompt managers to adopt management techniques. This work aims at testing two deep learning methods (Region-based Convolutional Neural Network - R-CNN and You Only Look Once - YOLO) to detect the nests under three different conditions of host plant species and forest stands in southern Europe. YOLO algorithm provided better results and it allowed us to achieve F1-scores as high as 0.826 and 0.696 for the detection of presence / absence and the individual nests, respectively. The detection of all the nests that can be present on a tree is not achievable with either UAV scanning or traditional ground observation, therefore the integration of the methods may allow the complete efficiency of the surveillance. The use of UAV combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) image analysis is recommended for further use in forest and urban settings for the detection of the PPM nests. The recommended methods can be extended to other pest systems, especially when specific symptoms can be associated with an insect pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossils are more and more used in phylogenetic evolutionary studies either for clade calibration, or as terminals in a dataset including morphological characters. The strength of these methodological advances relies however on the quality and completeness of the fossil record. For crickets (Insecta, Orthoptera, Gryllidea), few ancient (pre-Cenozoic) well-preserved fossils are known, except for isolated wings often classified in purely fossil groups and a few fossils found in Cretaceous amber. Here, we present two remarkable fossils from mid-Cretaceous amber of France, that were imaged using X-ray synchrotron microtomography and exhibit an exquisite preservation allowing description with a precision similar to that of extant taxa. Palaeonemobius occidentalis Laurent and Desutter-Grandcolas, gen. nov., sp. nov. and Picogryllus carentonensis Josse and Desutter-Grandcolas, gen. nov., sp. nov. are the oldest representatives of the Nemobiinae and Podoscirtinae subfamilies of the Trigonidiidae and Oecanthidae families respectively. P. carentonensis Josse and Desutter-Grandcolas, gen. nov., sp. nov. is also the smallest adult male with a full stridulatory apparatus ever documented in crickets (body length 3.3 mm), and the first taxon of the cricket clade for which male genitalia can be partly described. We discuss the significance of Cretaceous fossils of crickets for future evolutionary studies of this clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new "libelluloid" family Cordulibellulidae is described to accommodate a new genus and species Cordulibellula inopinata from the Eocene Green River Formation, Utah, USA. Even if its affinities remain somewhat uncertain because of the lack of information on structures others than those of the hind wing, ts putative closest relatives are known from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Therefore, this new fossil is interpreted as a "relict" taxon surviving until the Paleogene. This new addition to the odonatan paleoentomofauna of the Green River Formation confirms the high diversity of this clade during the Paleogene and in this formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Odonata, Nelala chacay sp. nov., from the Eocene of Northern Patagonia, Argentina, is described. The new species is the sixth one of the endemic Patagonian Eocene family Frenguelliidae. Nelala chacay sp. nov. is characterized mainly by the five postdiscoidal cells between MA and MP, and a RP3+4 only two cells and a half basal to subnodus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change might result in permafrost thaw and the formation of thermokarst landscapes that release long-term carbon stocks as greenhouse into the atmosphere, thereby initiating a positive climate feedback. These processes are mediated by biological activity, including by microbes, vascular plants and animals, whereas the role of invertebrates in thermokarst ecosystems remains poorly understood. We investigated the diversity and assemblage structures of zooplankton (mainly Copepoda, Cladocera), microbenthos (testate amoebae) and meio- (Copepoda and Cladocera) and macrozoobenthos (mollusks, crustaceans, insects and annelids) from a range of water bodies representing different stages of thermokarst lake formation in the southern part of the Lena River Delta (Central Siberia). Altogether, 206 species of testate amoeba, mollusk, crustacean, insect and annelid taxa were identified. A total of 60 species of macrozoobenthos (mainly insects) and 62 species of testate amoebae were detected in the water bodies of the Lena River Delta for the first time. The species richness of zooplankton and meio- and macrozoobenthos was greater in the large thermokarst lakes than in the polygonal ponds due to the freezing of the latter in the winter. In contrast, the species richness of protists was higher in the polygonal ponds, which was related to the habitat preferences of testate amoebae. Fish grazing strongly affected the macrobenthos assemblages but not the smaller-sized organisms. Water acidity and temperature were the main environmental drivers of the assemblage structure of testate amoeba and microcrustacean. The species structure of the macroinvertebrate assemblages was significantly explained by water acidity, permafrost depth and size of the water area. It means that small size organisms with their short generation times are sensitive to more dynamic factors such as temperature and may serve as indicators of ecosystem changes due to global climate warming. In contrast, large size organisms are affected by driven factors that appear during thermokarst lakes formation and permafrost degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new "libelluloid" family Cordulibellulidae is described to accommodate a new genus and species Cordulibellula inopinata from the Eocene Green River Formation, Utah, USA. Even if its affinities remain somewhat uncertain because of the lack of information on structures others than those of the hind wing, ts putative closest relatives are known from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Therefore, this new fossil is interpreted as a "relict" taxon surviving until the Paleogene. This new addition to the odonatan paleoentomofauna of the Green River Formation confirms the high diversity of this clade during the Paleogene and in this formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generating the most contiguous, accurate genome assemblies given available sequencing technologies is a long-standing challenge in genome science. With the rise of long-read sequencing, assembly challenges have shifted from merely increasing contiguity to correctly assembling complex, repetitive regions of interest, ideally in a phased manner. At present, researchers largely choose between two types of long read data: longer, but less accurate sequences, or highly accurate, but shorter reads (i.e., >Q20 or 99% accurate). To better understand how these types of long-read data as well as scale of data (i.e., mean length and sequencing depth) influence genome assembly outcomes, we compared genome assemblies for a caddisfly, Hesperophylax magnus, generated with longer, but less accurate, Oxford Nanopore (ONT) R9.4.1 and highly accurate PacBio HiFi (HiFi) data. Next, we expanded this comparison to consider the influence of highly accurate long-read sequence data on genome assemblies across 6750 plant and animal genomes. For this broader comparison, we used HiFi data as a surrogate for highly accurate long-reads broadly as we could identify when they were used from GenBank metadata. Results: HiFi reads outperformed ONT reads in all assembly metrics tested for the caddisfly data set and allowed for accurate assembly of the repetitive ~ 20 Kb H-fibroin gene. Across plants and animals, genome assemblies that incorporated HiFi reads were also more contiguous. For plants, the average HiFi assembly was 501% more contiguous (mean contig N50 = 20.5 Mb) than those generated with any other long-read data (mean contig N50 = 4.1 Mb). For animals, HiFi assemblies were 226% more contiguous (mean contig N50 = 20.9 Mb) versus other long-read assemblies (mean contig N50 = 9.3 Mb). In plants, we also found limited evidence that HiFi may offer a unique solution for overcoming genomic complexity that scales with assembly size. Conclusions: Highly accurate long-reads generated with HiFi or analogous technologies represent a key tool for maximizing genome assembly quality for a wide swath of plants and animals. This finding is particularly important when resources only allow for one type of sequencing data to be generated. Ultimately, to realize the promise of biodiversity genomics, we call for greater uptake of highly accurate long-reads in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leptogastrine Leptogaster? cerestensis sp. nov., new fossil representative of this genus, is described from the Lower Oligocene of Céreste (Southern France). This fossil shows some characters of the extant genus Mesoleptogaster but differs from it in its relatively short hind legs, a putative plesiomorphic character state, rendering its attribution to this genus uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-species associations of insects (symbiocenosis) in honey bee hives currently include more than 15 orders of Insecta. We present the results of studying the inquilines of bee hives in the south of Western Siberia. In the honeybee hives of this region 37 insect species from 8 orders (Dermaptera, Thysanoptera, Psocoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera) were identified. Inquiline insects were observed in 77% of hives in 81.5% of the studied apiaries. Coleoptera prevailed among the orders, accounting for 94% of observations. The overall eudominant was Cryptophagus scanicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (87.8%); the subdominants were Dermestes lardarius Linnaeus, 1758 and Contacyphon variabilis (Thunberg, 1787). The smallest number of insect species can be attributed to specific groups. These are C. scanicus, a detritophage that primarily feeds on mold fungi hyphae, but can also consume bee supplies; and Galleria melonella (Linnaeus, 1758), a widespread pest of bee colonies, that feeds on bee bread, honey, wax and bee brood. The facultative group includes detritophages, pollen- and honey-feeding species, that find suitable conditions for feeding and developing in beehives (Vespidae, Formicidae, etc.). Representatives of accidental group were the most diverse in species composition and type of nutrition but they were always individually found in hives. In total, 42 species of insects are currently recorded in the beehives of Western Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poroblattina anadiensis sp. nov., first record of the roachoid family Poroblattinidae from Portugal, is described from the upper Gzhelian Vale da Mó 'Formation' of Buçaco Carboniferous Basin. The genus Poroblattina was previously known by numerous records from the Moscovian and the Asselian (time range between 306.95 and 295.0 Ma) in Euramerica, showing a high forewing venation variability. The new species is most similar to the French Moscovian Poroblattina duffieuxi, but it differs from this species in having a larger forewing, more irregularly anterior pectinate RP, and more forked branches. Poroblattina anadiensis sp. nov. supports the links between the entomofaunas of North America and Western Europe during the late Carboniferous and early Permian. Despite the intense exploration of the Buçaco Carboniferous Basin units in the nineteen-century and mid-20th century, the new discovery highlights the potential of palaeontological studies now resumed in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new archaeorthopteran family Roqueiidae is defined for the new genus and species Roqueia alpine, described from the Pennsylvanian (Kasimovian) of La Mure region (Isère, Alps, France). This new taxon is characterised by the set of characters: basal fusion of MA with R, its distal re-emergence from RP and ending into vein MP. The Roqueiidae are tentatively assigned to the order Cnemidolestodea together with the family Cnemidolestidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the famous Moscovian locality of Piesberg quarry near Osnabrück (Lower Saxony, Germany) there is rich abundance of Palaeodictyopterida comprising not only adults but also larval stages and their exuviae. The representatives of three palaeodictyopterid orders, eight families and 13 species were previously identified from this locality. In this study, we describe a new megascopteran Piesbergptera niesseae gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Piesbergpteridae fam. nov.) with some venation traits shared with Foririidae and Ischnoptilidae, both of which are known from Commentry, and new palaeodictyopterans Osnabrugapteron rasnitsyni gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Archaemegaptilidae), Spilaptera peckae sp. nov. (Spilapteridae) and Saxonyptilus sowiaki gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Spilapteridae), the latter providing the first evidence of nygmata among spilapterids. Based on the evaluation of forewing venation, we propose the restoration of the genus Dictyoneurella as a member of the palaeodictyopteran family Archaemegaptilidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afropereboria magnifica gen. et sp. nov., is the oldest African representative of the Permian "cicada-like" family Pereboriidae. The family diagnosis is discussed and emended. Synapomorphic characters of the Pereboriidae are proposed. The two genera Jifara and Scytophara are excluded from this family, confirming that Pereboriidae are strictly Permian. The relationships between the two Permian families Pereboriidae and Ignotalidae and the Triassic Curvicubitidae are still not clear and will need a phylogenetic analysis. We propose new putatively apomorphic diagnostic characters for the Pereboriidae. We also discuss some characters supposed to discriminate the Pereboriidae from the Ignotalidae. The Permian Pereboriidae had a disjunctive distribution between the northern and southern parts of Pangea, under cool temperate climates, separated by the intertropical zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous arthropods (e.g. branchiopods, insects) collected during the first half of the 20th century by F.-F. Mathieu within the Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian (Moscovian-Asselian) succession of the Zhaogezhuang colliery (Hebei Province, China), romanised notably as Chao Ko Chwang, or Chaokochuang, in the literature, have been recently located in the palaeontological collections of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels). This historical material from one of the classic localities of the Kaiping Coalfield includes a large number of wings of stem-Dictyoptera, mainly from the Tangshan Formation and to a lesser extent from the Kaiping and Zhaogezhuang formations. The exceptional richness in insects of a particular horizon developed within the Moscovian part of the Tangshan Formation was already pointed out at the end of the 1920s by the French palaeoentomologist P. Pruvost, who provided the first account on the arthropods of Mathieu's collection from the Kaiping Coalfield. This singular Dictyoptera material was later studied by D. Laurentiaux in his unpublished Ph.D. thesis. In order to promote the revision of Mathieu's collection by specialists, we provide here a detailed scientific background and re-illustrate the arachnids (and formerly alleged ones: (Poliochera vel Curculioides) [sic] pustulatus Laurentiaux-Vieira & Laurentiaux), branchiopods (Lioestheria? mathieui (Pruvost)), and insects from the Zhaogezhuang colliery, notably using the Reflectance Transformation Imaging methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description and diagnosis are given for Heterothrips ephemerus sp. nov. collected from flowers of Krameria erecta Willdenow (Krameriaceae) shrubs in the Mojave Desert in southern Nevada, U.S.A. Flowers have an unusual, bilateral structure and contain elaiophores that secrete oils collected by specialist bees. Shrubs flowered for approximately 11 days following convective rainfall during summer. Adults occurred early during flowering with numbers of females exceeding males by approximately 12:1. Larvae were more abundant and reached the maximum number per flower, in flowers containing thrips, near the end of the flowering period. The near absence of other species of thrips suggests H. ephemerus is a specialized inhabitant of K. erecta flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]