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An updated checklist of Uzbekistan aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. This comprehensive checklist of aphids is the first checklist for Uzbekistan and represents a total of 301 species and 31 subspecies, within 103 genera, 63 subgenuses, belonging to seven subfamilies, of the Aphididae family, recorded from 1910 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. According to the association of the identified aphids with their host plants, it was noted that 301 species of aphids live and feed on plants belonging to 64 families of plants. Of these, the largest number of species was found in plants belonging to the families of Asteraceae (71), Rosaceae (58) and Salicaceae (33).

Surveys of scale insects (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha) infesting date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L., Arecaceae) in Iran represented the occurrence of 10 species belonging to five families. The recorded species were: Asterolecaniidae - Palmaspis phoenicis (Ramachandra Rao); Diaspididae - Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead), Fiorinia phoenicis Balachowsky, Parlatoria blanchardi (Targioni Tozzetti) and Parlatoria crypta McKenzie; Monophlebidae - Pseudaspidoproctus hyphaeniacus (Hall); Phoenicococcidae - Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell; and Pseudococcidae - Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), and Formicococcus phoenicis Moghaddam & Zarghami sp. nov., a new species of mealybug feeding on the roots of the date palm, is described and illustrated based on the adult female. An annotated list of these species is presented.

An updated checklist of Uzbekistan aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. This comprehensive checklist of aphids is the first checklist for Uzbekistan and represents a total of 301 species and 31 subspecies, within 103 genera, 63 subgenuses, belonging to seven subfamilies, of the Aphididae family, recorded from 1910 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. According to the association of the identified aphids with their host plants, it was noted that 301 species of aphids live and feed on plants belonging to 64 families of plants. Of these, the largest number of species was found in plants belonging to the families of Asteraceae (71), Rosaceae (58) and Salicaceae (33). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The psyllid genus Primascena was erected for a fossil species from Dominican amber, P. subita. As the single known specimen of this species is a partly damaged male, the description was quite incomplete. Recently, two undescribed species were discovered in Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul) that are ascribed to this genus. The extant species allow the description of the previously unknown female and immature, and to complete information on the morphology of the male. A cladistic morphological analysis confirms the position of the genus in the subfamily Aphalaroidinae and supports the monophyly of the fossil and the two extant species. The extant Primascena species develop on plants of the Polygonaceae: Eriogonoideae, an unusual psyllid host, shared by only one other species of the same subfamily. Aphalaroidinae is most species-rich in the neotropics, with nine out of 13 genera being restricted to South America. Fossils can document the morphological diversification through time and date lineages, providing relevant characters are preserved. Primascena Klimaszewsi, 1997 was erected for P. subita Klimaszewsi, 1997 on the basis of a single, partly damaged male from Dominican amber. Originally assigned to Rhinocolidae: Paurocephalinae, the genus was subsequently transferred to Psyllidae: Aphalaroidinae. Recently, two undescribed species resembling the fossil species were discovered in Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul), allowing a detailed morphological study of adults and immatures. Based on the morphological study, a revised diagnosis of the genus is provided, including the previously unknown female and fifth instar immatures. Primascena subita is redescribed and P. empsycha n. spec. and P. ruprechtiae n. spec. are formally described and illustrated. An identification key is provided for the species of Primascena. A cladistic morphological analysis supports the placement of the two new species in Primascena, and of this genus in the Aphalaroidinae. It is sister to all but Aphalaroida, though with little support. The two Brazilian species develop on Ruprechtia spp. (Polygonaceae: Eriogonoideae), an unusual psyllid host. Immatures of P. ruprechtiae are free-living on the lower leaf face and do not induce galls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using molecular (COI , Cytb , H3 , wg , 12S, 16S, and 28S) and morphological data (61 characters of adults and immatures), the phylogenetic relationships of the 20 nominal genera of Liviinae were analysed, and the monophyly of the subfamily was tested relative to the other two subfamilies of Liviidae. The analyses of the molecular, morphological, and combined datasets provided similar results with a strong or moderate support in the molecular and combined analyses for the subfamilies of Liviidae and two clades in Liviinae given tribal rank (Liviini and Paurocephalini stat. rev.). Three of the six previously recognized genera were confirmed as monophyletic (Aphorma , Camarotoscena , and Livia) and three were shown to be polyphyletic: Diclidophlebia s.l. (Diclidophlebia s.s. , Haplaphalara stat. rev. Klyveria Burckhardt, Serbina and Malenovský, gen. nov. Melanastera Serbina, Malenovský, Queiroz and Burckhardt, gen. nov. and Woldaia stat. rev.), Paurocephala s.l. (Liella Burckhardt, Serbina and Malenovský, gen. nov. and Paurocephala s.s.), and Syntomoza s.l. (Anomoterga stat. rev. and Syntomoza s.s.). The new generic definitions require 38 new and eight revived combinations, including the transfer of two species to other families. All genera of Liviinae are diagnosed and keys are provided for their identification. A checklist of world Liviinae is supplemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single assai palm (Euterpe precatoria Martius) is a plant of great socio-economic importance in the Amazon region. The increase in its cultivation under monoculture systems has intensified phytosanitary problems, especially regarding associated pest insects. In May 2023, a whitefly infestation was observed on the abaxial surface of leaflets of E. precatoriaplants grown under semi-field conditions (shaded greenhouses) in Rio Branco, Acre state, Brazil. The whitefly was identified as Aleurodicus pseudugesii, representing the first record of the association between this aleyrodid species and E. precatoriain Brazil.

In a survey of the arthropod fauna of 33 Urban Green Spaces (UGS) in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2017 and 2019, 21 species (3,825 specimens) of Psylloidea were collected. These represent all seven recognised families of jumping plant-lice and include seven species identified only to genus. The specimens, all adults, were collected on 30 plant species used for arborization in the UGS. Two species are described as new (Mastigimas longicaudatus Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov. and Leuronota albilinea Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov.), one species is redescribed (Mastigimas colombianus Burckhardt, Queiroz & Drohojowska) and one species is recorded for the first time from Colombia (Calinda trinervis Olivares & Burckhardt). Among the seven species identified only to genus is an undescribed species of Melanastera, representing a genus not previously known from Colombia. Fourteen species found during the survey are probably native (66%) and seven (33%) adventive. Our findings highlight the significance of UGS for preservation of biological diversity and stress the importance of using native plants in urban landscape planning for the conservation of the native entomofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanastera sinica He & Burckhardt, sp. nov., a new psylloid species developing on Grewia sp., is described from Hainan, China. It is the first Melanastera species reported from Asia and China, and the second species from the Old World. While New World species of Melanastera are mostly associated with the plant families Melastomataceae and Annonaceae, the two Old World species develop on the malvaceous Grewia, a host otherwise used in psylloids by two Haplaphalara species. The new species is described, diagnosed and illustrated, and its host plant and biogeographic ranges are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new mealybug species, Paracoccus gillianwatsonae Zhang, sp. nov. and P. wui Zhang, sp. nov., collected from Jiangxi, South China, are described and illustrated based on the morphology of adult females. Paracoccus gillianwatsonae is similar to P. burnerae (Brain, 1915), but it differs in having fewer pairs of cerarii, and in lacking both ventral oral collar tubular ducts on the margins of the head and translucent pores on the hind femur. Paracoccus wui resembles P. keralae Williams, 2004 and P. neocarens (Lit, 1992), but it differs in lacking ventral oral collar tubular ducts on the margins of the head and in having multilocular disc-pores usually in double rows at the posterior edges of abdominal segments V and VI. A key to the Paracoccus species found in China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Terminalia argentea tree, native to Brazil, is widely used in landscaping, recovering degraded areas, its wood, coal production, and the bark or leaf extracts has medicinal use. Despite of its importance, the arthropod fauna associated to this plant and its interspecific relationships still needs further studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the arthropods, their ecological indices and the distribution in the leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. The numbers of phytophagous insects (e.g., Cephalocoema sp.), pollinators (e.g., Tetragonisca angustula), and natural enemies (e.g., Oxyopidae), and their ecological indices (e.g., species richness), were higher on the adaxial leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. Aggregated distribution of phytophagous insects (e.g., Aphis spiraecola), pollinators (e.g., Trigona spinipes), and natural enemies (e.g., Camponotus sp.) on T. argentea saplings was observed. Abundance, diversity, and species richness of natural enemies correlated, positively, with those of phytophagous and pollinators insects. Predators and tending ants followed their prey and sucking insects, respectively. Tending ants protected sucking insects against predators, and reduced chewing insects. The high number of Cephalocoema sp. on T. argentea saplings is a problem, because this insect can feed on leaves of this plant, but its preference for the adaxial leaf face favors its control. The aggregation behavior of arthropods on T. argentea saplings favors the control of potential pests of this plant. There seems to be competition between tending ants for space and food resources on T. argentea saplings.

Fossils can document the morphological diversification through time and date lineages, providing relevant characters are preserved. Primascena Klimaszewsi, 1997 was erected for P. subita Klimaszewsi, 1997 on the basis of a single, partly damaged male from Dominican amber. Originally assigned to Rhinocolidae: Paurocephalinae, the genus was subsequently transferred to Psyllidae: Aphalaroidinae. Recently, two undescribed species resembling the fossil species were discovered in Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul), allowing a detailed morphological study of adults and immatures. Based on the morphological study, a revised diagnosis of the genus is provided, including the previously unknown female and fifth instar immatures. Primascena subita is redescribed and P. empsycha n. spec. and P. ruprechtiae n. spec. are formally described and illustrated. An identification key is provided for the species of Primascena. A cladistic morphological analysis supports the placement of the two new species in Primascena, and of this genus in the Aphalaroidinae. It is sister to all but Aphalaroida, though with little support. The two Brazilian species develop on Ruprechtia spp. (Polygonaceae: Eriogonoideae), an unusual psyllid host. Immatures of P. ruprechtiae are free-living on the lower leaf face and do not induce galls.

شپشک­های گیاهی (Coccoidea) هر ساله خسارت زیادی را به گیاهان وارد می­کنند. برخی از کنه­ها (Acari) به­عنوان یکی از اجزای مشاهده شده در اکوسیستم اطراف شپشک­ها، می­توانند جمعیت این آفات را بدون استفاده از سموم کاهش دهند. هدف از این مطالعه جمع­آوری و شناسایی برخی کنه­های پیش استیگمایان مرتبط با شپشک­ها بوده که ممکن است دارای ارتباط شکارگری با آن­ها باشند و یا از شپشک­ها به­عنوان پناهگاه استفاده کنند. بدین منظور قسمت­های آلوده به شپشک­های گیاهی، به آزمایشگاه منتقل و کنه­های مرتبط جدا شد. پس از شفاف­­سازی و تهیه اسلاید میکروسکوپی، در مجموع 12 گونه متعلق به 11 جنس از هفت خانواده از کنه­های پیش استیگما در ارتباط با 10 گونه از نه جنس و پنج خانواده از شپشک­ها به شرح زیر یافت شد. از این کنه‌ها، یک گونه اولین بار برای فون ایران گزارش می­شود که با علامت * نشان داده شده است: Prostigmata: Anystidae: Anystis baccarum; Erythraeidae: Abrolophus sp., Callidosoma sp., Leptus sp.; Iolinidae: Pronematus rykei, Pronematus ubiquitus; Microtrombidiidae: Eutrombidium sp.; Smarididae: Fessonia sp., Tenuipalpidae: Aegyptobia eriogonum*, Cenopalpus pulcher; Tetranychidae: Tetranychus urticae, Eotetranychus sp. Coccoidea: Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus isacanthus; Coccidae: Eulecanium tiliae, Coccus hesperidum, Saissetia oleae; Diaspididae: Diaspidiotus prunorum, Lepidosaphes malicola, Parlatoria oleae; Orthezidae: Orthezia urticae; Pseudococcidae: Planococcus citri, Planococcus vovae.

Hemiptera is the largest order of non‐holometabolous insects. Recent phylogenetic studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of the phylogeny of the group. However, parts of the hemipteran tree remain unclear. In this study, we have sequenced transcriptomes from five sternorrhynchan species, four exemplars from Aphididae, and one from Monophlebidae. The addition of published transcriptome data produced alignments of >105 000 amino acids from 224 hemipteran taxa in 30 superfamilies covering all suborder and infraorder clades. The data confirmed the Sternorrhyncha superfamily relationship of Aleyrodoidea + (Psylloidea + [Coccoidea + Aphidoidea]). In addition, phylogenomic analyses supported a basal split of Sternorrhyncha and the remaining hemipteran lineages. The Fulgoromorpha formed a sister clade to Cicadomorpha, with strong support. Therefore, our results supported the monophyly of Auchenorrhyncha. The Coleorrhyncha was robustly resolved as a sister group of Auchenorrhyncha, contrary to the concept of the Heteropterodea. Within Heteroptera, the Enicocephalomorpha, Dipsocoromorpha, and Gerromorpha were resolved as the earliest branching groups, while the Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha were the successive sister groups to the remaining clades in the series. The Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorpha were sister groups that occupied the most apical branches of the heteropteran tree. Although some phylogenetic estimates yielded conflicting hypotheses for superfamily relationships of Cicadomorpha, Four‐cluster Likelihood Mapping (FcLM) analyses revealed a greater phylogenetic signal for the relationship of Membracoidea + (Cicadoidea + Cercopoidea). Highlights: Sternorrhyncha was sister to all other hemipteran lineages.The monophyly of Auchenorrhyncha was strongly supported.The Coleorrhyncha was robustly resolved as a sister group of Auchenorrhyncha.The Aleyrodoidea was sister to a clade (Psylloidea + [Coccoidea + Aphidoidea]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic plants have been known to be attacked by insect pests since ancient times. However, little is known about the mealybug (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) fauna associated with them. A series of surveys of mealybugs found on Loranthaceae, a semi-parasitic plant family, was conducted in several places in Bengkulu Province, southern Sumatra, Indonesia. In the study, 55 mealybug specimens were collected, consisting of eight species belonging to five genera, namely Chorizococcus McKenzie (1 species), Dysmicoccus Ferris (2 species), Ferrisia Fullaway (1 species), Planococcus Ferris (3 species) and Pseudococcus Westwood (1 species). Chorizococcus ozeri Zarkani & Kaydan, sp. nov. is new to science, whilst Planococcus bagmaticus Williams represents the first record in Indonesia. In addition, the mealybugs Dysmicoccus lepelleyi (Betrem), Dysmicoccus zeynepae Zarkani & Kaydan, Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell), Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller are newly recorded from plants of the family Loranthaceae. Figures and illustrations of mealybug species with a taxonomic key to Asian Chorizococcus and a new country record based on morphological characters are also updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of fossil whitefly, Praealeurolobus indicus gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on puparia found on leaves of a malvaceous plant from the Pliocene Rajdanda Formation in Eastern India. It is the first record of whitefly puparia on leaves from the Neogene deposits of Asia and the second taxon formally named and described from such adpression fossils. The cephalothorax of some of the puparia has a large, irregularly shaped hole with jagged edges, typical of the emergence holes of parasitoids of modern-day whiteflies and represents the earliest record of parasitism on whiteflies. This finding enriches our knowledge of the fossil record of Aleyrodidae in connection with allied fossils and provides new insight into the ecological interactions of the palaeobiota and taphonomy of fossils preserved in the Pliocene Rajdanda Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A new species of aphid, causing the formation of large galls on a sumac species endemic to Yunnan, China, is named and described. Molecular and morphological diagnostic criteria are provided, and digital specimen data made available. A new species of gall-forming aphid from China, Qiao jinshaensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from Rhus wilsonii Hemsl. Morphological identification and molecular analyses both support the establishment of a new genus. A diagnosis combining morphological and molecular characters from alate viviparae is provided and specimen metadata are published in an open-access and machine-readable format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mazagran, Mostaganem Province, Algeria, the seasonal variation in abundance of the scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) Coccus hesperidum LINNAEUS, 1758 (Coccidae) and Icerya purchasi MASKELL, 1879 (Monophlebidae) was studied in an orchard on two host plant species, orange (Citrus sinensis) and lemon (C. limon) between December 2018 and November 2019. Every ten days, samples of leaves were collected for monitoring insect numbers. In C. hesperidum on orange and lemon trees respectively, there were three or four population peaks annually (P<0.0001). In I. purchasi, there were three generations annually (P<0.0001). In both scale insect species their abundance was correlated with temperature (P<0.0001 for C. hesperidum, and P=0.010 for I. purchasi) but not with relative humidity levels. Lemon trees had the higher scale insect abundance on 50% of days sampled, for both C. hesperidum and I. purchasi (P<0.005), whereas orange had lower numbers of both scale species. C. hesperidum and I. purchasi occurred on all three sample plots; numbers of both species (particularly C. hesperidum) showed a positive relationship with wind speed (P<0.0001 and P=0.002, respectively), as strong winds probably picked up and carried crawlers into the sample plots situated downwind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has been extensively used to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within the hemipteran suborder Sternorrhyncha, but sequenced mitogenomes remain unavailable for the entire family Matsucoccidae to date. To address this, here we sequenced the complete mitogenome of Matsucoccus matsumurae; the first for this family. The mitogenome is 15,360 bp in size and comprises the typical set of 37 mitochondrial genes and a large non-coding region (AT-rich region). Gene order, nucleotide composition and codon usage of protein-coding genes (PCGs) of M. matsumurae differ considerably from those of the other two sequenced Coccidae species. All PCGs were initiated by the ATN start codons and ended with the TAA/G or single T--stop codons. Nine transfer RNA genes could be folded into typical clover-leaf secondary structures. The length and AT content of the ribosomal RNA genes are highly conserved in the Coccoidea mitogenomes. In contrast, the AT-rich control region is highly variable in size and in the number of tandem repeats. The sliding window analysis showed that the cox1 gene is the most conserved amongst the 13 PCGs, while the ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates indicated that the evolution of this mitogenome has been dominated by positive selection. Phylogenetic analyses, based on nucleotide sequence data of 37 mitochondrial genes and amino acid sequence data of 13 PCGs using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods, showed that Matsucoccidae diverged before the Coccidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe herbivore lifestyle leads to encounters with plant toxins and requires mechanisms to overcome suboptimal nutrient availability in plant tissues. Although the evolution of bacterial endosymbiosis alleviated many of these challenges, the ability to manipulate plant nutrient status has evolved in lineages with and without nutritional symbionts. Whether and how these alternative nutrient acquisition strategies interact or constrain insect evolution is unknown. We studied the transcriptomes of galling and free-living aphidomorphs to characterize how amino acid transporter evolution is influenced by the ability to manipulate plant resource availability.ResultsUsing a comparative approach we found phylloxerids retain nearly all amino acid transporters as other aphidomorphs, despite loss of nutritional endosymbiosis. Free living species show more transporters than galling species within the same genus, family, or infraorder, indicating plant hosts influence the maintenance and evolution of nutrient transport within herbivores. Transcript profiles also show lineage specificity and suggest some genes may facilitate life without endosymbionts or the galling lifestyle.ConclusionsThe transcript abundance profiles we document across fluid feeding herbivores support plant host constraint on insect amino acid transporter evolution. Given amino acid uptake, transport, and catabolism underlie the success of herbivory as a life history strategy, this suggests that plant host nutrient quality, whether constitutive or induced, alters the selective environment surrounding the evolution and maintenance of endosymbiosis.

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The scale insect genus Crypticerya Cockerell, 1895 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae: Iceryini) is mainly distributed in the New World and includes numerous pest species despite being a relatively small group. Ovisacs have longitudinal flutes or grooves in those species that produce them, hence their common name “fluted scales”.” In the present study, Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo & Unruh and Crypticerya genistae (Hempel) are reported for the first time from Ecuador. The two species of fluted scales were found to cause outbreaks in urban green areas in Guayas province on the Ecuadorian coast, attacking native and alien plants. Eighty-five and eleven new host plant species were recorded for C. multicicatrices and C. genistae, respectively. Both invasive fluted scales prefer hosts in the family Fabaceae. No significant differences in the infestation levels of C. multicicatrices and C. genistae were found between native and alien host-plant species. In general, C. multicicatrices prefers trees as hosts, whereas C. genistae prefers herbaceous plants and shrubs. Both species are considered serious pests in urban green areas, associated with sooty molds, yellowing of leaves, and, in some cases, tree dieback. Management strategies to control the fluted scales are discussed briefly.

Information about soil scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) diversity, although fragmented, had been progressively improved for Asia, especially in the southern countries such as Indonesia. Recent works recorded 365 species in the country, 21 of which in below ground habit. In this paper, we contribute to the knowledge of Indonesian scale insect diversity by analyzing specimens collected from rainforest, rubber and oil palm plantations in the Province of Jambi and Sumatra, Indonesia. The results include the new records of Rhizoecus americanus, Rhizoecus omphalius, Ripersiella bacorum, Ripersiella cryphia and Ripersiella sabahica (Rhizoecidae) with description of new intraspecific variations. Pseudococcus saccharicola (Pseudococcidae), Geococcus coffeae, and Rhizoecus pignerator (Rhizoecidae) were also collected in this study. With these species, the known Indonesian scale insect fauna increases to 370 species.

More than half of all species of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae) are distributed in the tropics. Very little is known of the whitefly fauna of Colombia. This situation causes limitations in the study of basic and applied entomology of these sap-sucking insects, which are of considerable importance in agriculture as they affect many cultivated and wild plants. In this work, we provide new distribution records for six species of whitefly in Colombia. We also provide maps depicting the distribution of these species in the country and data on their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are a lineage of ~5200 plant‐feeding insects most abundant in temperate regions. The diversification of aphids is thought to be a rapid radiation, whereas abiotic and biotic factors heavily influence the morphologies. These factors have clouded the taxonomy at all taxonomic ranks, and the effect can be viewed in many incongruent molecular and morphological phylogenies. In this study, we address this problem using both genome and transcriptome data to estimate the phylogenomic relationships between 12 subfamilies with 48 ingroup taxa. We predicted a novel well‐curated dataset of phylogenetically consistent orthologues that included 3162 genes to estimate a concatenated maximum likelihood and multi‐species coalescent species trees. Our results suggest that there are three main clades of Aphididae subfamilies, which are congruent with a previous Sanger sequencing‐based phylogenetic study. However, the relationship between the three clades of subfamilies is clouded by gene tree discordance, introgression and parent–child branches along the backbone that fall within the gene tree anomaly zone. In addition, our results suggest an introgression event between two agriculturally important species of aphids within the subfamily Aphidinae. Our research provides the first phylogenomic study of the Aphididae subfamilies and a foundation for future molecular and morphological studies into this adaptive radiation of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophthirus engeli (Mesophthiridae incerti ordinis), described as a feather-feeding parasite of dinosaurs, has recently been reinterpreted as an early instar nymph (crawler) of a primitive scale insect. Mesophthirus has no specific similarities to bird lice, although life on feathers should modify parasites in a similar way. Based on re-examination of photographs of the type specimens of M. engeli, the subfamily Mesophthirinae stat. nov. is assigned to the archaic extant family Xylococcidae s.l. (recorded since the Hauterivian), next to the extant subfamilies Xylococcinae and Stigmacoccinae. Xylococcid honeydew is an important food resource for birds and other arboreal vertebrates. Like their modern relatives, Mesophthirinae lived under the bark of trees and produced copious honeydew. Early birds and their precursors, small feathered dinosaurs, may well have fed on honeydew and the mesophthirines themselves. Scale insect crawlers are adapted to wind transport and phoresy on insects and vertebrates, so finding Mesophthirus on feathers is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of fossil whitefly, Praealeurolobus indicus gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on puparia found on leaves of a malvaceous plant from the Pliocene Rajdanda Formation in Eastern India. It is the first record of whitefly puparia on leaves from the Neogene deposits of Asia and the second taxon formally named and described from such adpression fossils. The cephalothorax of some of the puparia has a large, irregularly shaped hole with jagged edges, typical of the emergence holes of parasitoids of modern-day whiteflies and represents the earliest record of parasitism on whiteflies. This finding enriches our knowledge of the fossil record of Aleyrodidae in connection with allied fossils and provides new insight into the ecological interactions of the palaeobiota and taphonomy of fossils preserved in the Pliocene Rajdanda Formation.

Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), one of the most serious pests of cassava worldwide, was recently introduced to India. Surveillance, early detection and mapping of its distribution in cassava-growing areas are essential to prevent it from spreading further. Several species of mealybug are known to infest cassava in India; their authoritative identification normally requires preparation of slide mounts, which is a highly skilled and timeconsuming process. A simple method is described here for screening alcohol-preserved samples of mixed-species infestations for cassava mealybug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eryngiofaga perrara sp. nov. is described, diagnosed and illustrated from two adult specimens found on Mount Pilatus (Switzerland, Obwalden). The new species is morphologically most similar to E. matura (Loginova, 1972), a species from Mongolia, from which it differs in the light genal processes and in details of the terminalia. Eryngiofaga consists of 13 previously described species of which five occur in Central and Western Europe. Up to now, the genus was not known from Switzerland or the Alps. The host plant of E. perrara remains unknown, but Bupleurum ranunculoides L. (Apiaceae) is a likely candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new family, genus and species of scale insect is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The male specimen of Macrodrilus bostrychus gen et sp. nov. in the new family Macrodrilidae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea) possesses unique features that together, prohibit its placement in an extant or extinct family. These features include well developed compound eyes with many ommatidia, antenniferous tubercles, smooth, slender flagellomeres, extended apical lobes, venational patterns on the forewings, a series of long waxy filaments attached to the terminal abdominal tergite, a long endophallus that surpasses the length of the body and pellet-shaped spermatophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the causes of the variation in the seasonal dynamics of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) in Central Europe, numbers of adults and larvae of this invasive species were recorded on trees (Acer, Betula, Tilia) throughout the growing seasons from 2011 to 2016. Each year beetles were collected every two weeks, using a standardized sweeping method. The seasonal dynamics was expressed as plots of abundance (number of individuals per 100 sweeps) against time (Julian day) and these plots (seasonal profiles) were compared in terms of their size (area under the seasonal profile curve), range, timing and height of the mode (maximum abundance). Timing and size of seasonal profiles varied among hostplants, years and sites. Abundance of larvae paralleled aphid occurrence and peak abundance of adults followed that of larvae 10 to 20 days later. Population dynamics before and after the peak were determined by dispersal. Adults arrived at sites before the start of aphid population growth and persisted there long after aphid populations collapsed. The abundance of H. axyridis decreased from 2011 to 2013 and then increased, achieving the previous levels recorded in 2015 and 2016. The variation in seasonal profiles revealed that H. axyridis, in terms of its response to environmental conditions, is a plastic species and this flexibility is an important factor in its invasive success.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a technique used to determine the chromosomal position of DNA and RNA probes. The present study contributes to knowledge on jumping plant-lice genomes by using FISH with 18S rDNA and telomeric (TTAGG)n probes on meiotic chromosomes of Psylla alni (2n = 24 + X), Cacopsylla mali (2n = 22 + neo-XY and 20 + neo-X1X2Y), C. sorbi (2n = 20 + neo-XY), Baeopelma foersteri (2n = 14 + X), and Rhinocola aceris (2n = 10 + X). This is the first study that has used FISH on the hemipteran superfamily Psylloidea. We found that the chromosomes of all studied species contain the insect-type telomere motif, (TTAGG)n. In C. mali and C. sorbi, the neo-sex chromosomes originating from autosome-sex chromosome fusions showed no interstitially located clusters of TTAGG repeats, suggesting their loss or inactivation. Similarly, no interstitial (TTAGG)n clusters were detected in an extremely large autosome pair of B. foersteri that most likely originated from a fusion of at least five ancestral chromosome pairs. Clusters of 18S rDNA were detected on the fused and second largest autosome pairs of B. foersteri and on one of the large autosome pairs of the remaining species. In C. mali and B. foersteri, the rDNA clusters were shown to coincide with the NORs as detected by the AgNOR method. Finally, we speculate, based on the obtained FISH markers, on the mechanisms of karyotype evolution of psylloid species differing in chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems.

The classification of the superfamily Psylloidea is revised to incorporate findings from recent molecular studies, and to integrate a reassessment of monophyla primarily based on molecular data with morphological evidence and previous classifications. We incorporate a reinterpretation of relevant morphology in the light of the molecular findings and discuss conflicts with respect to different data sources and sampling strategies. Seven families are recognised of which four (Calophyidae, Carsidaridae, Mastigimatidae and Triozidae) are strongly supported, and three (Aphalaridae, Liviidae and Psyllidae) weakly or moderately supported. Although the revised classification is mostly similar to those recognised by recent authors, there are some notable differences, such as Diaphorina and Katacephala which are transferred from Liviidae to Psyllidae. Five new subfamilies and one new genus are described, and one secondary homonym is replaced by a new species name. A new or revised status is proposed for one family, four subfamilies, four tribes, seven subtribes and five genera. One tribe and eight genera / subgenera are synonymised, and 32 new and six revised species combinations are proposed. All recognised genera of Psylloidea (extant and fossil) are assigned to family level taxa, except for one which is considered a nomen dubium.

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Citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB) is a destructive disease associated with the uncultivable, phloem‐limited, gram‐negative bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp., which affects citrus crops and other Rutaceae species. HLB is rapidly transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). We developed an artificial medium on which D. citri eggs can hatch and first‐instar nymphs can feed. The medium could be used to study insect physiology and screen molecules that may interfere with egg hatching and nymph development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, there are 74 described species of armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) whose only known hosts are bamboos (Poaceae: Bambuseae) and 12 armoured scale insect genera that consist mainly or entirely of bamboo feeders. Fully 71 of the species and all 12 of the genera are native to Asia. Another region where bamboos dominate the forest understory is southern South America, which has high diversity and endemism of bamboos of the genus Chusquea Kunth. We have sampled armoured scale insects from Chusquea from eight different sites in Chile and three sites in Argentina. The most common species were Prodigiaspis riverae (Cockerell) and a morphologically similar undescribed species. We sequenced fragments of four genetic loci from both species: the D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit (28S), elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF‐1α) and two mitochondrial regions, namely, a fragment of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and a fragment spanning the parts of cytochrome oxidase I and II (COI–II). We conducted phylogenetic analyses of these sequences, together with previously published sequences of other Neotropical genera of the same tribe (Lepidosaphidini), including an undescribed species of the genus Prodigiaspis Ferris. The results show that the Chusquea‐feeding species, including P. riverae, comprise a clade that is closely related to the genus Pseudoparlatoria Cockerell and distant from the Prodigiaspis species. Here, we place them in the new genus Chusqueaspis Amouroux gen. nov., with a total of three species, two of which are described here for the first time: Chusqueaspis riverae (Cockerell), comb. nov.; Chusqueaspis patriciae Wei, Claps, Normark & Normark, sp. nov.; and Chusqueaspis gonzalezi Amouroux, Normark & Normark, sp. nov. We also describe a Prodigiaspis species as Prodigiaspis megalobus Normark & Normark, sp. nov. on Marila (Calophyllaceae). Illustrations of the adult females of each of the four species and a key to the species of the new genus are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of scale insects are less known in comparison to other insects, which hinders the phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Coccoidea and higher taxa. Herein, the complete mitogenomes of Unaspis yanonensis, Planococcus citri and Ceroplastes rubens were sequenced for Coccoidea. The 15,220-bp long mitogenome of U. yanonensis contained the typical set of 37 genes including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes; the 15,549-bp long mitogenome of P. citri lacked the tRNA gene trnV; the 15,387-bp long mitogenome of C. rubens exhibited several shortened PCGs and lacked five tRNA genes. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of the three mitogenomes was different from other scale insects and Drosophila yakuba. Most PCGs used standard ATN (ATA, ATT, ATC and ATG) start codons and complete TAN (TAA or TAG) termination codons. The ND4L had the highest evolutionary rate but COX1 and CYTB were the lowest. Most tRNA genes had cloverleaf secondary structures, whereas the reduction of dihydrouridine (DHU) arms and TψC arms were detected. Tandem repeats, stem-loop (SL) structures and poly-[TA]n stretch were found in the control regions (CRs) of the three mitogenomes. The phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood methods (ML) showed identical results, both supporting the inner relationship of Coccoidea as Coccidae + (Pseudococcidae + Diaspididae).

The Neotropical species of the predominantly north temperate genus Aphalara are reviewed. Four species are recorded here from this region, two of which are described as new. Aphalara ritteri sp. nov. occurs in southern Brazil (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina) and represents the first and only species reported from South America. A second new species, Aphalara ortegae sp. nov., is described from Mexico and Puerto Rico. Another two species, Aphalara persicaria Caldwell, 1937 and A. simila Caldwell, 1937, have been previously reported from Mexico and the USA, and one of them also from Cuba. The two new species are both associated with Persicaria hydropiperoides and P. punctata (Polygonaceae) on which the immatures induce leaf roll galls. The two new species are morphologically similar to A. persicaria, to which they are probably closely related. A key is provided for the adults and immatures of the Neotropical species of Aphalara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trioza turouguei sp. nov., a new species of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera, Triozidae) from Taiwan, is described and illustrated based on adults and immatures. The latter induce pea-shaped galls on the stems of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh. (Lauraceae). The gall phenology of the new species is described. A list of species of Triozidae associated with Cinnamomum in the Old World is provided. The following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: Trioza inflata Li, 1992 = Trioza xiangicamphorae Li, 1992, syn. nov.; Siphonaleyrodes formosanus Takahashi, 1932, stat. rev., is removed from synonymy with Trioza cinnamomi (Boselli, 1931). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) is a serious pest of citrus species worldwide because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (Alphaproteobacteria: Rhizobiales), the causative agents of the incurable citrus disease, huanglongbing or greening disease. Diaphorina citri possesses a specialized organ called a bacteriome, which harbors vertically transmitted intracellular mutualists, Ca. Carsonella ruddii (Gammaproteobacteria: Oceanospirillales) and Ca. Profftella armatura (Gammaproteobacteria: Betaproteobacteriales). Whereas Carsonella is a typical nutritional symbiont, Profftella is an unprecedented type of toxin-producing defensive symbiont, unusually sharing organelle-like features with nutritional symbionts. Additionally, many D. citri strains are infected with Wolbachia, which manipulate reproduction in various arthropod hosts. In the present study, in an effort to obtain insights into the evolution of symbioses between Diaphorina and bacteria, microbiomes of psyllids closely related to D. citri were investigated. Bacterial populations of Diaphorina cf. continua and Diaphorina lycii were analyzed using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and compared with data obtained from D. citri. The analysis revealed that all three Diaphorina spp. harbor Profftella as well as Carsonella lineages, implying that Profftella is widespread within the genus Diaphorina. Moreover, the analysis identified Ca. Liberibacter europaeus and Diplorickettsia sp. (Gammaproteobacteria: Diplorickettsiales) in D. cf. continua, and a total of four Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales) lineages in the three psyllid species. These results provide deeper insights into the interactions among insects, bacteria, and plants, which would eventually help to better manage horticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hemiptera of urban environments in Jujuy are little known and quite unexplored. The objective of this work was to analyze and characterize the Hemiptera diversity in trees of public roads in Jujuy, and to provide data about their bioecology. The study was conducted in three locations during a dry and a wet season; two environments were considered for each location: urban and suburban. In each site, three trees of Handroantus impetiginosus, Enterolobium contortisiliquum and Citrus aurantium were sampled. The foliage was aspirated and 10 branches/tree were randomly extracted. We identified the hemipterans and compared the abundance, richness, diversity, composition and dominance of each suborder according to the tree species, localities, seasonality and degree of urbanization. We collected 4339 individuals belonging to the suborders Auchenorrhyncha (8 families, 30 morphospecies, 1044 individuals), Heteroptera (8 families, 20 morphospecies, 196 individuals) and Sternorrhyncha (9 families, 33 morphospecies, 3099 individuals). For the first time in Jujuy, Rhabdotalebra albinoi and Rhabdotalebra flava were recorded on E. contortisiliquum, and Rhabdotalebra flava and the genus Tingis on H. impetiginosus. San Salvador de Jujuy was the location with the highest richness (56 morphospecies, 28 exclusive), in contrast to El Carmen (39 morphospecies, 13 exclusive) and San Pedro (34 morphospecies, 11 exclusive). We recorded Heteroptera phytophages, predators and species with mixed diet. Considering locality and tree species, Sternorrhyncha was the suborder with highest richness and abundance, whereas seasonality did not affect it. The other two suborders were not affected by seasonality. Hemiptera species shared by the three tree species were Dikrella sp., Empoasca sp.2, Aleyrodidae sp.1 and Pseudococcidae sp.1. The dominant species in lapacho were Rabdotalebra flava, Rabdotalebra sp.2, Tingis sp.1 and Ceroplastes sp.1; in orange, Lephidosaphes beckii, Aphididae sp.1 and Aonidiella aurantii; in pacará, Psyllidae sp.2, Aphididae sp.1 and Empoasca sp.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomoneura taiwanica sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Psylloidea, Psyllidae, Psyllinae) is described based on samples from Taiwan that were previously misidentified as A. mori Schwarz, 1896. Morphological and genetic differences between the two species, as well as their distribution, are detailed and discussed. Comments on the pest status of Anomoneura spp. in East Asia are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The herbivore lifestyle leads to encounters with plant toxins and requires mechanisms to overcome suboptimal nutrient availability in plant tissues. Although the evolution of bacterial endosymbiosis alleviated many of these challenges, the ability to manipulate plant nutrient status has evolved in lineages with and without nutritional symbionts. Whether and how these alternative nutrient acquisition strategies interact or constrain insect evolution is unknown. We studied the transcriptomes of galling and free-living aphidomorphs to characterize how amino acid transporter evolution is influenced by the ability to manipulate plant resource availability. Results Using a comparative approach we found phylloxerids retain nearly all amino acid transporters as other aphidomorphs, despite loss of nutritional endosymbiosis. Free living species show more transporters than galling species within the same genus, family, or infraorder, indicating plant hosts influence the maintenance and evolution of nutrient transport within herbivores. Transcript profiles also show lineage specificity and suggest some genes may facilitate life without endosymbionts or the galling lifestyle. Conclusions The transcript abundance profiles we document across fluid feeding herbivores support plant host constraint on insect amino acid transporter evolution. Given amino acid uptake, transport, and catabolism underlie the success of herbivory as a life history strategy, this suggests that plant host nutrient quality, whether constitutive or induced, alters the selective environment surrounding the evolution and maintenance of endosymbiosis.

Identification of whiteflies is based mainly on larval stages and generally very little is known about wings of these insects. Therefore, both sides of the forewings of Aleyrodes proletella were studied using histological methods, light and scanning electron microscopes. Studies confirm the occurrence of only three veins on forewings: the costal, radial and anal ones; only the anal vein lies under the anal fold. A campaniform and trichoid sensilla are present. The shape of wax secretions and wing margins is described. The comparative analysis of forewing structures contains new data for all Sternorrhyncha infraorders. The current results confirm the monophyly of the group, but place aphids closer to psyllids. The analysis of forewing base indicates that its general model is similar among Sternorrhyncha, but there occur some intergroup differences. Ways of wing folding depend on the structure of thorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the causes of the variation in the seasonal dynamics of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) in Central Europe, numbers of adults and larvae of this invasive species were recorded on trees (Acer, Betula, Tilia) throughout the growing seasons from 2011 to 2016. Each year beetles were collected every two weeks, using a standardized sweeping method. The seasonal dynamics was expressed as plots of abundance (number of individuals per 100 sweeps) against time (Julian day) and these plots (seasonal profiles) were compared in terms of their size (area under the seasonal profile curve), range, timing and height of the mode (maximum abundance). Timing and size of seasonal profiles varied among hostplants, years and sites. Abundance of larvae paralleled aphid occurrence and peak abundance of adults followed that of larvae 10 to 20 days later. Population dynamics before and after the peak were determined by dispersal. Adults arrived at sites before the start of aphid population growth and persisted there long after aphid populations collapsed. The abundance of H. axyridis decreased from 2011 to 2013 and then increased, achieving the previous levels recorded in 2015 and 2016. The variation in seasonal profiles revealed that H. axyridis, in terms of its response to environmental conditions, is a plastic species and this fl exibility is an important factor in its invasive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]