Review of the genus Antoniejanse Kemal & Koak, 2005 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Litini), with description of four new species.

The southern African genus Antoniejanse Kemal & Koak, 2005 is revised. Seven species are recognized here as valid, of which four species are described as new for science from South Africa (A. varii sp. nov. and A. tenebrosa sp. nov.) and Namibia (A. minima sp. nov. and A. mediopunctata sp. nov.). One new combination is proposed: Antoniejanse sagittata (Bidzilya, 2019) comb. nov. (ex Paratelphusa). All species of Antoniejanse are re-diagnosed. Wing patterns, as well as male and female genitalia are depicted. An identification key to all species of the genus is provided and the checklist of the genus is updated.

Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae).

The Iranian taxa of the tribe Scopulini are taxonomically revised. The systematic positions of the genera Cinglis Guene, 1858, Glossotrophia Prout, 1913, Pseudocinglis Hausmann, 1994 and Scopuloides Hausmann, 1994, with uncertain validity and/or position within the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae), are further elucidated by use of one mitochondrial and up to nine protein-coding nuclear gene regions. Available type specimens of the described species and more than 2,600 additional specimens were morphologically investigated. In addition, over 400 genitalia preparations were made and examined together with distribution data and DNA barcodes. As a result of the multi-gene analysis, the genera Cinglis stat. rev. and Scopuloides stat. rev. are re-validated at the genus level. The genus Pseudocinglis syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of the genus Cinglis stat. rev. and Glossotrophia syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of the genus Scopula. Cinglis eurata (Prout, 1913) comb. nov. and Cinglis benigna (Brandt, 1941) comb. nov. are combined with the genus Cinglis. Additionally, Cinglis benigna amseli (Wiltshire, 1967) syn. nov. is regarded as a synonym of C. benigna. Scopula adulteraria (Erschov, 1874) stat. nov. is raised from subspecies to species rank; Scopula iranaria Bytinski-Salz & Brandt, 1937 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. flaccidaria (Zeller, 1852); S. transcaspica taftanica Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. transcaspica Prout, 1935; S. diffinaria asiatica (Brandt, 1938) syn. nov. is synonymized with S. diffinaria (Prout, 1913) and Glossotrophia bullata Vojnits, 1986 syn. nov. is synonymized with Scopula sacraria ariana (Ebert, 1965). The female genitalia of Scopula lactarioides Brandt, 1941 are described and illustrated for the first time. In total, the presence of 33 species of Scopulini in Iran is confirmed. Wing patterns, male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of most Iranian Scopulini species are depicted and their distribution ranges are mapped.

Integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Phaselia Guene, [1858] (Geometridae: Ennominae) in the Middle East and Central Asia.

In the past, the high intraspecific variation of wing pattern within the genus Phaselia Guene, [1858] repeatedly led to misidentifications. In this study, we applied an integrative approach using external and internal morphological characters, along with DNA barcoding and distribution data to review the taxonomy of the genus Phaselia in the Middle East and Central Asia. For this study, 710 specimens, including type specimens and 242 genitalia slides were prepared and examined. As a result, P. phaeoleucaria (Lederer, 1855) stat. rev. is reinstated from synonymy of P. serrularia; P. phaeoleucaria shurensis Wehrli 1941 comb. nov. is regarded as a subspecies of P. phaeoleucaria stat. rev. instead of a subspecies of P. serrularia; P. serrularia catharia Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of P. phaeoleucaria shurensis comb. nov.; P. narynaria Oberthr, 1913 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of P. serrularia (Eversmann, 1847); P. pithana Wehrli, 1941 bona sp. is raised to species level from subspecies of P. serrularia. Furthermore, two species and two subspecies are described as new to science: P. smettboi sp. nov., P. sihvoneni sp. nov., P. erika jonubi ssp. nov. and P. erika sindhi ssp. nov. Wing pattern, and both male and female genitalia of all discussed taxa are illustrated, their distribution patterns are shown on a map and CO1 data is evaluated to confirm our taxonomic decisions.

Taxonomic review of the genus Rhodostrophia Hbner, 1823 (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) in Iran.

So far, the species of the genus Rhodostrophia Hbner, 1823 (Geometridae), their diagnostic characters and their distribution in Iran have not been investigated in detail. Moreover, some species were misunderstood by earlier authors. To solve these problems, a survey of the Iranian Rhodostrophia species based on over 1700 specimens has been executed. The type series of all species known from Iran were examined. Additionally extensive material from different museums and private collections was morphologically studied and compared with the type material. DNA-barcoding was used as an independent line of information and the results were compared with the morphological data. Examination of the type material revealed that R.cuprinaria (Christoph, 1876) was misinterpreted for a long time. The taxon R.nubifera Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. is a younger synonym of Hugo Christophs R.cuprinaria, which was misidentified by himself in his later publications. An available name for R.cuprinaria in the old, erroneous sense is R.phaenicearia (Hampson, 1907). Three subspecies were recognized for R. terrestraria, including R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov. Additionally, R. terrestraria furialis Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. is hereregarded as junior synonym ofR. terrestraria(Lederer, 1869); Rhodostrophia nubifera nubifera Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. and R. nubifera klapperichi Wiltshire, 1966 syn. nov. are here regarded as junior synonyms of R. cuprinaria (Christoph, 1876). R. abscisaria chlorotica Wiltshire, 1967 syn. nov. is downgraded to synonymy of R. abscisaria Brandt, 1941 and R. peripheres debilis Wiltshire, 1949 syn. nov. to synonymy of R. peripheres Prout, 1938. Rhodostrophia vahabzadehi sp. nov. is described as a new species. In total, 15 species are regarded as valid for the fauna of Iran. External and internal morphological characters for all examined species are illustrated. Distribution data are shown on maps for of all species. An updated checklist is presented for the Iranian representatives of the genus Rhodostrophia.

Taxonomic review of the genus Hydria Hbner, 1822 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) in the Middle East, with description of three new species and one new subspecies.

The species of the genus Hydria in the Middle East are revised. The revision is based on morphological examination and genetic data (DNA-barcode). Additionally, information on the habitat preference, pre-imaginal stages and biology of the species are given as much as available. Three species (H. gernoti sp. n., H. schachti sp. n., H. loebeli sp. n.) and one subspecies (Hydria cervinalis taurica ssp. n.) are described as new to science. The taxonomic status of Hydria hyrcana (Staudinger, 1871) as bona species could be confirmed. The East African species, Hydria relicta (Herbulot. 1953) comb. n., is transferred from genus Rheumaptera to Hydria. Wing pattern and genitalia structures of all discussed species are illustrated.

Updates on the FixatorFacilitating the investigation, mounting, and photography of structures and specimens in liquid.

N/A.

Minoa lutea Schwingenschuss, 1954 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae) recognized as bona species.

The species Minoa murinata (Scopoli, 1763) sensu lato is examined throughout its distribution range. Specimens from central Europe (Germany, Italy, France) are compared with those from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and newly collected specimens from eastern Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. The study is based on a combination of behavioural observations, morphological characters (size, wing coloration, structure of male and female genitalia) as well as genetic data (DNA barcoding). The taxon Minoa murinata var. monochroaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1848 is downgraded from subspecies rank to synonymy of M. murinata. Morphological study of the populations from eastern Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Russia confirm the taxon Minoa murinata f./ssp. lutea Schwingenschuss, 1954 as a bona species. It is herewith upgraded from synonymy of M. murinata to species level. The results of DNA barcoding are discussed. Wing pattern, male and female genitalia of both species are illustrated.

A taxonomic review of the genus Amicta Heylaerts, 1881 in North Africa, Near and Middle East (Lepidoptera, Psychidae, Oiketicinae, Acanthopsychini).

The genus Amicta Heylaerts, 1881 is revised on the basis of morphological and molecular studies. It is shown that, in addition to the already known taxa, there are three others that had previously remained unknown and are therefore described here as Amicta lutensis sp. nov., Amicta bouhedmaensis sp. nov. and Amicta chambiana sp. nov. Furthermore, the status of three more taxa is discussed and all three are raised to species rank: Amicta nigrescens Staudinger, 1900 stat. rev., Amicta acutella Krger, 1931 stat. rev. and Amicta arabica (Wiltshire, 1949) stat. rev. It has also been shown that the genus Hyalopteronia Solyanikov, 2002 syn. nov. is synonymous with Amicta Heylaerts, 1881. The type species Hyalopteronia davarica Solyanikov, 2002 is recombined and placed with Amicta: Amicta davarica (Solyanikov, 2002) comb. nov., and Amicta syrtana Krger, 1939 syn. nov. regarded as junior synonym of A. murina Krger 1939. The results of this study give an overview of the systematics and distribution of the genus Amicta (with the exception of the species from the Canary Islands).

Integrative taxonomic review of the genus Synopsia Hübner, 1825 in the Middle East (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae).

The geometrid genera Synopsia Hübner, 1825 and Synopsidia Djakonov, 1935 are revised, both being earlier validated at genus rank. Type specimens, original descriptions and additional specimens from different localities were examined. The revision is based on morphological characters, molecular data and distribution records. As a result, Synopsidia syn. nov. is regarded as junior synonym of the genus Synopsia. The synonymies of the species Scodonia tekkearia Christoph, 1883 and Synopsia znojkoi Djakonov, 1935 with Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov. are confirmed. Furthermore, Synopsidia phasidaria alvandi Wiltshire, 1966 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria ardschira Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria chiraza Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Hashtaresia jodes Wehrli, 1936 syn. nov. and Synopsidia phasidaria mirabica Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. are regarded as synonyms of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov.. Synopsia phasidaria afghana (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov. is tentatively validated at subspecific rank. Synopsia centralis (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov., bona sp. is upgraded from subspecies to species level. Wing pattern, as well as male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of examined genera and species are illustrated and analyzed. The distribution patterns of Synopsia phasidaria comb. nov. and Synopsia centralis bona sp., as well as the type localities of all discussed taxa, are provided. A complete checklist of the genus is given.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) with description of three new species-an integrative approach.

The non-European taxa of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 are revised. Type specimens of all described species and a large series of about 800 additional specimens were morphologically examined. More than 400 genitalia preparations were made and analyzed along with distributional and DNA barcode data. As a result of our integrative taxonomic approach, Nychiodes waltheri saerdabica Wehrli, 1938 syn. nov., is synonymized with N. waltheri Wagner, 1919; N. palaestinensis libanotica Zerny, 1933 syn. nov. is synonymized with N. palaestinensis Wagner, 1919 and the synonymy of N. persuavis Wehrli, 1929 syn. rev. with N. palaestinensis is confirmed; N. admirabila safidaria Wiltshire, 1943 syn. nov. is synonymized with N. admirabila Brandt, 1938; N. agatcha Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., N. subvirida disjuncta Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. and N. subvirida taftana Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. are synonymized with N. subvirida Brandt, 1938. Also, N. variabila variabila Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., N. variabila opulenta Brandt, 1941 syn. nov., N. divergaria elbursica Wehrli, 1937 syn. nov., N. divergaria fallax Wehrli, 1939 syn. nov. and N. divergaria achtyca Wehrli, 1939 syn. nov. are synonymized with N. divergaria Staudinger, 1892. Nychiodes convergata sp. nov. from Israel, N. mirzayansi sp. nov. from the Iran and N. eberti sp. nov. from Turkey are described. Lecto- and paralectotypes are designated for N. palaestinensis, N. antiquaria, N. divergaria. Furthermore, N. antiquaria is reported as a new species for Pakistan, N. rayatica is reported as a new species for Iran and the hypothetical occurrence of N. amygdalaria in Iran is confirmed. Additionally, N. tyttha needs to be excluded from the genus. Wing pattern, male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of all examined species are illustrated and distribution maps are provided. Illustrated keys based on genitalia, as well as a complete checklist of the genus is given here.

The Fixator-A simple method for mounting of arthropod specimens and photography of complex structures in liquid.

Mounting and preparing arthropods in liquids for photography and further investigations is a challenging task and may lead to unsatisfactory results and, in the worst case, to damage to specimens. A new method is presented here, which allows the fixation of specimens of different sizes under various degrees of pressure. The method is illustrated by three case studies from different groups of insects and arachnids.

An integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) in the Middle East and Central Asia, with description of two new species.

Western Palaearctic species of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 are revised with focus on the Middle East and Central Asia. The analysis is based on the morphological examination (wing pattern and genitalia) of the type series of most species, as well as of large series of additional material. Additionally, DNA barcode data were used as an extra line of information. As result, Triphosa agnata Le Cerf, 1918 syn. n. is synonymized with T. sabaudiata (Duponchel, 1830), the taxonomy of the enigmatic Triphosa taochata Lederer, 1870 is clarified, and two species are described as new to science: T. silviae sp. n. and T. lecerfi sp. n.. Hydria ravulata (Staudinger, 1892) comb. rev., is transferred from Triphosa to the genus Hydria. Lectotypes are designated for Triphosa taochata and Hydria ravulata. Wing pattern, genitalia and diagnostic characters of all examined species are illustrated and the distribution data shown on the map.

Taxonomic study of the genus Evergestis Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Glaphyriinae) in Iran with description of a new species.

The Iranian species of the genus Evergestis were reviewed taxonomically and as a result, Evergestis pazukii sp. n. is described as a new species, E. comealis Amsel stat. n. is raised to species level from the subspecies E. caesialis comealis, and four species, namely E. flavifuscalis Rebel, E. limbata (Linnaeus), E. pechi (Bethune-Baker), and E. serratalis Staudinger are newly reported from Iran. Furthermore, the females of Evergestis africalis (Guenée), and E. nomadalis (Lederer), and the male of E. elbursalis Amsel are described and illustrated for the first time. A redescription of the male of E. hyrcanalis Amsel is provided mainly based on the genital structure, and the male and female genitalia of E. boursini Amsel and E. flavifuscalis Rebel are redescribed, respectively due to their poor descriptions. Additional remarks on the previousely reported species and new data on their distribution in Iran are also provided.

A Triassic-Jurassic window into the evolution of Lepidoptera.

On the basis of an assemblage of fossilized wing scales recovered from latest Triassic and earliest Jurassic sediments from northern Germany, we provide the earliest evidence for Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). The diverse scales confirm a (Late) Triassic radiation of lepidopteran lineages, including the divergence of the Glossata, the clade that comprises the vast multitude of extant moths and butterflies that have a sucking proboscis. The microfossils extend the minimum calibrated age of glossatan moths by ca. 70 million years, refuting ancestral association of the group with flowering plants. Development of the proboscis may be regarded as an adaptive innovation to sucking free liquids for maintaining the insect's water balance under arid conditions. Pollination drops secreted by a variety of Mesozoic gymnosperms may have been non-mutualistically exploited as a high-energy liquid source. The early evolution of the Lepidoptera was probably not severely interrupted by the end-Triassic biotic crisis.

An updated list of type material of Ephemeroptera Hyatt & Arms, 1890, deposited at the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH).

The type specimens of Ephemeroptera (Insecta) housed at the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH) are compiled in this document. The current nomenclature of all species is given. In total, Ephemeroptera type material of ZMH encompasses 161 species. Fifty-one holotypes and five lectotypes are present. Forty-one species are represented by syntypes, 85 by paratypes and five by paralectotypes. Material of two species (Cinygma asiaticum Ulmer, 1924 and Pseudocloeon klapaleki Müller-Liebenau, 1982) is missing. The present catalogue is an updated version of Weidner (1964a).