Phylogenomics resolves long-standing questions about the affinities of an endangered Corsican endemic fly.

Recent studies on oestroidean Diptera (Brachycera) are providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the evolutionary history of this remarkably diverse clade of holometabolous insects. The Oestroidea, which includes formidable pests such as various blowflies, botflies, and flesh flies that infest livestock, pets and humans, are mostly composed of beneficial species that act as scavengers or parasitoids on various pest insects. In our research, we used genomic methods to elucidate the phylogenetic position of Nesodexia corsicana Villeneuve, 1911 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a mysterious oestroid species endemic to Corsica and characterized by distinctive morphological features that have puzzled taxonomists for years. Contrary to initial hypotheses, our results place Nesodexia Villeneuve, 1911 within the Calliphoridae subfamily Rhinophorinae, a small lineage of terrestrial isopod parasitoids. Through detailed morphological analysis of adults of both sexes and eggs, we uncovered significant insights consistent with our phylogenomic reconstruction. The unique morphological features of the species, coupled with its restricted and fragmented habitat, highlight its potential conservation importance. We delineated the area of occupancy for N. corsicana and assessed its "threatened" category using specific IUCN Red List criteria. In addition, we mapped the available habitat within its range and determined potential key biodiversity areas (KBA) triggered by N. corsicana. New potential KBAs are only partially covered by the Corsican Regional Park. Finally, we mapped the distribution of habitats on the island to assess the potential distribution of the species beyond its currently known geographic range.

The genome sequence of a pipunculid fly, Nephrocerus scutellatus (Macquart, 1834).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Nephrocerus scutellatus (pipunculid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Pipunculidae). The genome sequence is 613.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.18 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Cheilosia impressa (Loew, 1840).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Cheilosia impressa (hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 395.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.87 kilobases in length.

First record of subgenus Synaldis Foerster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae, Dinotrema Foerster) from Chile, with description of ten new species.

Synaldis is a taxon within the Aspilota group with a contentious taxonomic history, currently classified as a subgenus of the genus Dinotrema. Species of Synaldis were only documented in the Neotropical region in 2017, and until then, the Neotropical fauna of this subgenus was represented by five species from Brazil. In this study, Synaldis is reported for the first time in Chile, with the description and illustration of ten new species, namely: Dinotrema (Synaldis) acarinareolatumsp. nov., D. (S.) brunneumsp. nov., D. (S.) chilensesp. nov., D. (S.) daltonisp. nov., D. (S.) flavumsp. nov., D. (S.) latusdentertiumsp. nov., D. (S.) perisfelipoisp. nov., D. (S.) pilosicaudatumsp. nov., D. (S.) puyehuesp. nov., and D. (S.) veraesp. nov. The studied specimens were collected during expeditions to southern Chile, in the Valdivian temperate rainforest at Parque Nacional de Puyehue. This study also includes a dichotomous identification key for Neotropical species of Synaldis, as well as a discussion of the primary morphological characters used to distinguish species within the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.

Positive selection analysis of Cyt proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis: A conservative trend driven by negative (purifying) selection.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive entomopathogenic bacterium that produces different pesticidal proteins: vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vpb1/Vpa2, Vip3, and Vpb4) during vegetative growth, which are secreted to the culture medium, and δ-endotoxins (Cry and Cyt) during sporulation, which accumulate into parasporal crystals. Cyt proteins are the smaller subset of δ-endotoxins targeting Diptera species. While Cry and Vip3 proteins undergo positive selection, our analysis suggests that Cyt proteins evolve following a conservative trend driven negative (purifying) selection.

The first record of Chironomusnuditarsis Keyl, 1961 from Sevan Lake (Armenia) confirmed by morphology, karyotype and COI gene sequence.

Chironomusnuditarsis Keyl, 1961 is recorded from Sevan Lake for the first time. This species is widespread in Europe, the Caucasus, and Siberia. For species identification, we used a comprehensive approach that included morphological, cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses. Morphological analysis showed a high similarity with the description. Nine chromosome banding sequences ndtA1, ndtA2, ndtB2, ndtC1, ndtD1, ndtE1, ndtF1, ndtG1, and ndtG2 were found. The banding sequences ndtA1, ndtA2, ndtG1, and ndtG2 are species-specific for C.nuditarsis and allow us to accurately distinguish it from the sibling species Ch.curabilis Belyanina, Sigareva et Loginova, 1990. Molecular-genetic analysis of the COI gene sequences has shown low genetic distances of 0.38-0.95% in the sibling species Ch.nuditarsis and Ch.curabilis complex and the insufficiency of using a single COI as a molecular marker for their separation.

The genome sequence of a drosophilid fruit fly, Drosophila histrio (Meigen, 1830).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Drosophila histrio (the drosophilid fruit fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Drosophilidae). The genome sequence is 189.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.02 kilobases in length.

Evaluation of the effect of agroclimatic variables on the probability and timing of olive fruit fly attack.

Agroclimatic variables may affect insect and plant phenology, with unpredictable effects on pest populations and crop losses. Bactrocera oleae Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a specific pest of Olea europaea plants that can cause annual economic losses of more than one billion US dollars in the Mediterranean region. In this study, we aimed at understanding the effect of olive tree phenology and other agroclimatic variables on B. oleae infestation dynamics in the Umbria region (Central Italy). Analyses were carried out on B. oleae infestation data collected in 79 olive groves during a 7-year period (from 2015 to 2021). In July-August, B. oleae infestation (1% attack) was negatively affected by altitude and spring mean daily temperatures and positively by higher winter mean daily temperatures and olive tree cumulative degree days. In September-October, infestation was negatively affected by a positive soil water balance and high spring temperatures. High altitude and cumulative plant degree days were related to delayed attacks. In contrast, high winter and spring temperatures accelerated them. Our results could be helpful for the development of predictive models and for increasing the reliability of decision support systems currently used in olive orchards.

Anaerobic treatment removing tetrabromobisphenol A and biota safety: How do tropical aquatic species respond to effluent toxicity over short- and long-term exposures?

Wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a commonly used flame retardant found in wastewater, can present significant toxic effects on biota, yet its impact on tropical freshwater environments is not well understood. This study explores the effectiveness of two independent anaerobic treatment systems, the acidogenic reactor (AR) and the methanogenic reactor (MR), for the ecotoxicity reduction of TBBPA-rich wastewater in four tropical freshwater species. Despite presenting good physicochemical performance and reduced toxicity of the influent for most species, AR and MR treatments remain acute and chronic toxicity. Overall, MR exhibited greater efficacy in reducing influent toxicity compared with AR. TBBPA bioaccumulation was observed in Chironomus sancticaroli after short-term exposure to 100% MR effluent. Multigenerational exposures highlighted changes in the wing length of C. sancticaroli, showing decreases after influent and AR exposures and increases after MR exposures. These findings underscore the need for ecotoxicological tools in studies of new treatment technologies, combining the removal of emerging contaminants with safeguarding aquatic biota. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Acidogenic and methanogenic reactors reduced the acute and chronic toxicity of wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A. Both treatments still exhibit toxicity, inducing short- and long-term toxic effects on four native tropical species. The aquatic species Pristina longiseta was most sensitive to effluents from acidogenic and methanogenic reactors. TBBPA concentrations recovered from Chironomus sancticaroli bioaccumulation analysis ranged from 1.07 to 1.35 µg g-1. Evaluating new treatment technologies with multiple species bioassays is essential for a comprehensive effluent toxicity assessment and ensuring aquatic safety.

Preserving morphology while extracting DNA: a non-destructive field-to-museum protocol for slide-mounted specimens.

Our study aimed to develop an optimised laboratory protocol ensuring the preservation of morphological structures and extraction of high-quality DNA sequences from Psychodidae (Insecta, Diptera) specimens. With 310 analysed specimens, we investigated the impact of distinct laboratory treatments by employing two shaking categories (constant and interrupted) with five different incubation periods (16, 12, 8, 4 and 2 hours) during the DNA extraction process. Notably, 80.65% of the specimens exhibited morphological changes during DNA extraction. Our results indicated no statistical difference between constant and interrupted shaking for the total of morphological structures lost. However, within each shaking category, the loss of structures was influenced significantly by the incubation period. Prolonged incubation correlated with increased structural losses, whereas shorter incubation periods caused minor alterations in structures lost. In addition, our results showed a significant difference between constant and interrupted shaking treatments for DNA concentration. Likewise, the incubation period showed differences within each shaking category. Successful COI sequencing was achieved in 89.6% of specimens, with negligible differences in DNA fragment lengths across treatments. Our findings underscore the importance of an optimised protocol and its potential in systematic research involving nematoceran dipteran specimens by balancing morphological integrity and DNA extraction efficiency.

Trapped between food, heat, and insects: Movement of moose (Alces alces) and exposure to flies in the boreal forest of Alaska.

Moose (Alces alces) in the boreal forest habitats of Alaska are unlike other northern ungulates because they tolerate high densities of flies (Diptera) even though flies cause wounds and infections during the warm summer months. Moose move to find food and to find relief from overheating (hyperthermia) but do they avoid flies? We used GPS collars to measure the rate of movement (m⋅h-1) and the time spent (min⋅day-1) by enclosed moose in four habitats: wetlands, black spruce, early seral boreal forest, and late seral boreal forest. Fly traps were used in each habitat to quantify spatio-temporal abundance. Average daily air temperatures increased into July when peak biomass of forage for moose was greatest in early seral boreal forest habitats (424.46 vs. 25.15 kg⋅ha-1 on average in the other habitats). Average daily air temperatures were 1.7°C cooler in black spruce than other habitats, but fly abundance was greatest in black spruce (approximately 4-fold greater on average than the other habitats). Moose increased their movement rate with counts of biting flies (mosquitoes, black flies, horse and deer flies), but not non-biting flies (coprophagous flies). However, as air temperature increased (above 14.7°C) moose spent more time in fly-abundant black spruce, than early seral boreal forest, showing great tolerance for mosquitoes. Warm summer temperatures appear to cause moose to trade-off foraging in fly-sparse habitats for resting and dissipating heat in shady, wet habitats with abundant flies that adversely affect the fitness of moose.

The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Merodon equestris (Fabricius, 1794).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Merodon equestris (hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 873.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.95 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Syrphus vitripennis (Meigen, 1822).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Syrphus vitripennis (a hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 388.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the XY sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.33 kilobases in length.

A cell line derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

Insect cell lines are effective tools used in industry and academia. For example, they are used in screening potential insecticides, in making certain proteins for biomedical applications, and in basic research into insect biology. So far, there are no cell lines derived from the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (BSF). This may become an issue because BSFs are employed in a range of industrial and household processes. BSFs are used in producing biodiesel, in developing cosmetics and skin creams, and in the production of some medicines and animal feeds. BSF larvae process waste streams from a variety of sources into food for some animals and are also used in household composting. Our BSF cell line, designated BCIRL-HiE0122021-SGS, was developed from eggs using the medium CLG#2 (50% L-15 + 50% EX-CELL 420, with 9% FBS and antibiotics), with many other media being tested. This cell line consists of attached cells with a variety of morphologies and its identity was authenticated using CO1 barcoding. A growth curve was generated and the resulting doubling time was 118 h. We quantified the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) and recorded the expected range of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAMEs, with only trace levels of lauric acid being noted. The BSF cell line is available free of charge by request.

Kinematics and coordination of moth flies walking on smooth and rough surfaces.

The moth fly, Clogmia albipunctata, is a common synanthropic insect with a worldwide range that lives in nearly any area with moist, decaying organic matter. These habitats comprise both smooth, slippery substrates (e.g., bathroom drains) and heterogeneous, bumpy ground (e.g., soil in plant pots). By using terrain of varying levels of roughness, we focus specifically on how substrate roughness at the approximate size scale of the organism affects kinematics and coordination in adult moth flies. Finally, we compare and contrast our characterizations of locomotion in C. albipunctata with previous work of insect walking in naturalistic environments.

The genome sequence of a muscid fly, Hydrotaea cyrtoneurina (Zetterstedt, 1845).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Hydrotaea cyrtoneurina (muscid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Muscidae). The genome sequence is 575.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.6 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of the parsley Cheilosia, Cheilosia pagana (Meigen, 1822).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Cheilosia pagana (the parsley Cheilosia; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 354.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.76 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of the drosophilid fruit fly, Drosophila phalerata (Meigen, 1830).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Drosophila phalerata (drosophilid fruit fly, Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Drosophilidae). The genome sequence is 223.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.14 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 18,973 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Four-banded Bee-grabber, Conops quadrifasciatus De Geer, 1776.

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Conops quadrifasciatus (the Four-banded Bee-grabber; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Conopidae). The genome sequence is 210.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.07 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 23,090 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of a hoverfly Eristalinus aeneus (Scopoli, 1763).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Eristalinus aeneus (a hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 495.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.97 kilobases in length.