The first phylogenetic study of Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) based on molecular data: clades and congruence with morphological characters.

The Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) comprise a small group of strictly Neotropical calyptrate flies, with 36 described species. The group has often been treated as a subfamily of Calliphoridae, but there is growing evidence that it corresponds to a distinct Oestroidea lineage. Internal relationships have so far been addressed based only on morphology, with results lacking resolution and support. This is the first molecular phylogeny for the group, which is based on the analyses of 80 terminal taxa (22 mesembrinellid and 28 outgroup species) and 5 molecular markers (ITS2, 28S, COI, COII and 16S). Maximum-parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods were used, the latter two with partitioning strategies considering codon position and secondary structure information. Results corroborate the Mesembrinellidae as a monophyletic lineage inside Oestroidea. Three clades were consistently recovered: (1) (Laneella + Mesembrinella patriciae); (2) (Mesembrinella (excluding M. patriciae)  + Eumesembrinella); and (3) (Huascaromusca + Giovanella). Re-examination of the female reproductive tract of M. patriciae revealed a Laneela-type spermatheca, which corroborates the position of the species recovered in the molecular phylogenetic analyses. Mesembrinella and Huascaromusca are in all cases paraphyletic with regards to Eumesembrinella and Giovanella, respectively. These latter two genera should, thus, be seen as subjective junior synonyms.

First record of Mythicomyia Coquillett, 1983 from Colombia with description of a new species of Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) Brthes, 1919 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Mythicomyiinae) and an updated key to South American species.

Mythicomyia Coquillett (1893) has a disjunct distribution (presence in every biogeographical region with the exception of the Palearctic) and is a poorly studied group in the Neotropical Region, and completely unknown in Colombia. Its subgenus Heterhybos Brthes has a Nearctic and Neotropical distribution. Of the nine species in the Neotropical Region (in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay), all occur in Chile and only one in Argentina and Uruguay. A new species of Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) is here described from Colombia: Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) bilobata sp. nov. (type-locality: Liborina, La Sucia). Illustrations of the new species, dichotomous key (males and females) and distribution map of the South American species are also presented.

A new species of Sumapazomyia Fogaa, Couri, Prez & de Carvalho (Diptera: Muscidae) from Colombia.

Sumapazomyia Fogaa et al. 2019, is a monotypic Andean genus from the Colombian Andes. Here we described one new species of Sumapazomyia from Colombia, namely Sumapazomyia quimbaya sp. nov. (type-locality: Risaralda, Otn, Quimbaya, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Otn Quimbaya), and an identification key to segregate the two species, including color images and illustrations of male and female terminalia is given. The distribution of the two species is mapped.

Silvopastoral systems benefit invertebrate biodiversity on tropical livestock farms in Caquetá, Colombia.

In the Colombian Amazon, there has been long-term and sustained loss of primary forest threatening biodiversity and climate change mitigation. Silvopastoral practices that integrate trees into livestock production could help address both local economic and wider environmental challenges.We aimed to assess the effects of silvopastoral practices on invertebrate communities on smallholder farms in Caquetá, Colombia. Using sweep nets and malaise trapping, invertebrate communities were compared between traditional pasture, silvopasture and forest edge habitats.Invertebrate communities collected using sweep nets were contrasting among habitat types, communities were significantly different between traditional pasture and forest edge habitats and diversity and evenness were greatest in forest edges compared to traditional pastures. It appears that silvopasture areas, by supporting similar invertebrate assemblages to both traditional pasture and forest edges, may be acting as an intermediate habitat.When individual invertebrate orders were compared, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera were found in greater abundance in the forest edge habitats, while Hemiptera were more abundant in traditional pasture. Hemipterans are often pests of forage plants in pasture systems and these differences in abundance may have implications for ecosystem services and disservices.Silvopastoral approaches cannot replace the unique biodiversity supported by native forests but could deliver benefits for invertebrate conservation and ecosystem services if integrated into landscapes.

Resumen: En la Amazonía colombiana ha habido una pérdida sostenida y a largo plazo de bosque primario que amenaza la biodiversidad y la mitigación del cambio climático. Las prácticas silvopastoriles que integran los árboles en la producción ganadera podrían ayudar a abordar tanto los desafíos económicos locales como los ambientales.Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de las prácticas silvopastoriles en comunidades de invertebrados en pequeñas fincas en Caquetá, Colombia. Las comunidades de invertebrados se compararon entre las pasturas nativas, el sistema silvopastoril y los hábitats del borde del bosque mediante el uso redes entomológicas de barrido y trampas Malaise.Las comunidades de invertebrados recolectadas usando redes entomológicas de barrido contrastaban entre los tipos de hábitat. Las comunidades eran significativamente diferentes entre las pasturas nativas y el borde de bosque. Pareciera que las áreas de silvopastoreo, al soportar conjuntos de invertebrados similares tanto a las pasturas nativas como a los bordes del bosque, pueden estar actuando como un hábitat intermedio.Cuando se compararon los órdenes individuales de invertebrados, los lepidópteros y los coleópteros se encontraron en mayor abundancia en los hábitats del borde del bosque, mientras que los hemípteros eran más abundantes en las pasturas nativas. Los hemípteros son a menudo plagas de plantas forrajeras en sistemas de pastoreo y estas diferencias en abundancia pueden tener implicaciones y perjuicios para los servicios ecosistémicos.Los sistemas silvopastoriles no pueden reemplazar la biodiversidad única apoyada por los bosques nativos, pero podrían ofrecer beneficios para la conservación de invertebrados y los servicios ecosistémicos si se integran en los paisajes.

A new species of Glabellula Bezzi, 1902 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Glabellulinae) from Colombia, and an updated key to South American species.

Glabellula Bezzi, 1902 has a cosmopolitan distribution and is a poorly studied group in the Neotropical Region, and completely unknown in Colombia. One new species of Glabellula is described from Colombia, namely Glabellula antioquensis sp. nov. (type-locality: Buriticá, La Angelina). Illustrations and a dichotomous key to the South American species are presented.

Two new species of Asymphyloptera Collin (Diptera: Empididae: Clinocerinae) from Colombia, with an updated key to males of New World species.

The genus Asymphyloptera is recorded from Colombia for the first time, with the description of two new species from Parque Natural Regional Cerro Pramo de Miraflores: A. miraflorensis sp. nov. and A. tama sp. nov. The two species are illustrated, and an updated key and distribution map for all New World species are presented.

First records of Pieza Evenhuis, 2002 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Mythicomyiinae) from Colombia, with description of a new species from arid zones of a Tropical dry forest.

Pieza Evenhuis, 2002 has a New World distribution and is a poorly studied group in the Neotropical Region, and completely unknown in Colombia. We recorded for the first time the genus Pieza in Colombia with two species, namely Pieza rafaeli Mendes et al., 2019 and we described Pieza globosa sp. nov. (type-locality: Sabanalarga, Boca de Niquia) from arid zones of a Tropical dry forest. Illustrations and a distribution map are presented.

Clistoabdominalis Skevington, 2001 (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of a new species and an updated key to males of the Neotropical species.

Clistoabdominalis Skevington, 2001 has a cosmopolitan distribution and is a poorly studied genus of big-headed flies (Pipunculidae) in the Neotropical Region, completely unknown in Colombia. A new species is described from protected areas and conflict territories of limited access in Colombia, namely Clistoabdominalis lucyae sp. nov. (type-locality: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona). Clistoabdominalis spinitibialis (Hardy, 1954) is recorded for the first time in Colombia, and an amended diagnosis provided. Illustrations and a dichotomic key to the Neotropical species of Clistoabdominalis are also presented.

Pipunculus Latreille, 1802 (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of three new species and an updated key to males of the Neotropical species.

Pipunculus Latreille, 1802 is a cosmopolitan genus of big-headed flies (Pipunculidae), with nine known species in the Neotropical region, but completely unknown in Colombia. Three new species of Pipunculus are described from Colombia, namely Pipunculus caeruleus sp. nov. (type-locality: Pramo de Santa Ins, Belmira), P. chiminiguagua sp. nov. (type-locality: Cabaa Chaina, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque) and P. planus sp. nov. (type-locality: Los Mudos, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque). Illustrations and a new dichotomic key to the Neotropical species are presented. This paper increases the number of Neotropical Pipunculus to 11, five in South America and three in Colombia, which is now the South American country with the highest diversity of this genus.

Rafaelomyia, a remarkable new genus of South American long-legged flies (Diptera, Dolichopodidae).

A new dolichopodid genus (Diptera, Dolichopodidae), Rafaelomyia Soares, Capellari & Ramos-Pastrana gen. nov., is described and comprises the following five new species from Northern South America: Rafaelomyia exu Soares & Capellari sp. nov. (Cusco, Peru), R. inpa Soares, Capellari & Ramos-Pastrana sp. nov. (Cusco, Peru), R. singularis Soares & Capellari sp. nov. (Cusco, Peru), R. uniamazonia Ramos-Pastrana & Soares sp. nov. (Huila, Colombia), and R. xavieri Soares & Capellari sp. nov. (Cusco, Peru). The new genus is tentatively placed in the subfamily Sympycninae based on a suite of characters traditionally associated with the subfamily: head ovate on anterior view (antenna on top of head), wing with bosse alaire, vein M unbranched into M1 and M2, tibia I with anterodorsal row of setae, male abdomen not pedunculated, with setose tergite 6 and male hypopygium relatively small, despite the lack of anterior preapical setae on femur II and/or III and the presence of a conspicuous flattened posterior slope of mesonotum. The systematic position of the new genus is discussed and an identification key to males is provided.

Five new species of Eiphosoma Cresson, 1865 (Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) from Colombia, new records, and a key to Colombian species.

A taxonomic study of the species of the Darwin wasp genus Eiphosoma Cresson, 1865 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) from the department of Caquet, Colombia, resulted in five new species being described: E. caqueta sp. nov. (Type locality: Curillo, Caquet), E. eneke sp. nov. (Type locality: San Vicente del Cagun, Caquet) E. interpunctum sp. nov. (Type locality: Solano, Caquet,), E. rumi sp. nov. (Type locality: Florencia, Caquet) and E. sinecarenatum sp. nov. (Type locality: Florencia, Caquet). With this paper, the number of Eiphosoma species from Colombia increases from three to 16. Eiphosoma bogan Gauld, 2000; E. dentator (Fabricius, 1804); E. dolopon Gauld, 2000; E. fluminense Costa Lima, 1953; E. fuzhi Gauld, 2000; E. macrum (Enderlein, 1921); E. minense Costa Lima, 1953 and E. tantalium Gauld, 2000 are recorded for the first time from Colombia. A dichotomous key to the Colombian species is presented.

A new species of Limnophyes Eaton, 1875 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Llanos Orientales, Colombia.

Limnophyes Eaton is a species-rich chironomid genus with more than 90 valid species distributed world-wide, of which nine species have been reported from the Neotropical region. In the present study, Limnophyes is recorded for the first time from Colombia based on Limnophyes llanero sp. n. from the Llanos ecoregion. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by having scattered lanceolate setae in the humeral and prescutellar area, epimeron II with six setae, posterior anepisternum II with one seta, and preepisternum without setae, and by having the apex of gonostylus expanded with a well-developed crista dorsalis.

Description of a new flower fly species of the Copestylum vagum group (Diptera: Syrphidae) from pristine Amazonian rainforests of Colombia and Suriname.

The adult stage of a new flower fly species, Copestylum enriquei sp. nov. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is described based on a single male collected in pristine rainforest in the Amazonian region of Colombia (type-locality: Florencia, Caquet) and two females from a conserved forest in Suriname (Para and Brokopondo). Copestylum enriquei sp. nov. belongs to the C. vagum species group and is similar in appearance to Copestylum vagum (Wiedemann), C. musicanum (Curran), C. tenorium Ricarte Rotheray, and C. chapadensis (Curran) from which it differs by the gena and face separated by a very broad brown vitta; scutum orange except for the wide medial vitta, which is dark and metallic, ending before the prescutellar region, with the apical margin M-shaped; tibiae dark-brown, except yellow on basal 1/4. The male genitalia of C. enriquei sp. nov. are unique and striking among the C. vagum species group, characterized by the epandrium and cercus black, contrasting with the colour of hypandrium and surstylus, which are orange; epandrium with a dorsal extension, a novel character among this species group, in addition to the L-shaped surstylus, with two pairs of rounded ridges in the dorsal edge, similar to a small deer antler in velvet. Images of type material, including photographs of male genitalia are provided. A comparison of the diagnostic characters is provided as well as modifications to the previous keys to distinguish C. enriquei sp. nov. from the other species of the C. vagum group. The species Copestylum araceorum Ricarte Rotheray and C. tenorium Ricarte Rotheray are recorded for the first time in the Amazonian rainforest in Colombia.

Cephalosphaera Enderlein and Neocephalosphaera De Meyer (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of nine new species and an updated key to their Neotropical species.

Cephalosphaera Enderlein, 1936 and Neocephalosphaera De Meyer, 1994 have a cosmopolitan distribution and they include a few studied species in the Neotropical region. Both genera are entirely unknown in Colombia. One new species of Cephalosphaera and eight of Neocephalosphaera are described from protected areas and from conflict-territories of limited access in Colombia, namely, Cephalosphaera munchiquensis sp. nov. (type locality: Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, La Romelia, Cauca, 2640 m), Neocephalosphaera carinae sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Cabaa Mamarramos, Boyac, 2855 m), N. grisea sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Quebrada Los Mudos, Boyac, 2840 m), N. iguaquensis sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, El Nispero, Boyac, 2730 m), N. muisca sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Boyac, 2855 m), N. paolae sp. nov. (type locality: San Jos del Fragua, Caquet, 1270 m), N. spinifera sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados, Alto El Mirador, Bolvar, 400 m), N. spiralis sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Quebrada Carrizal, Boyac, 3350 m) and N. sumapazensis sp. nov. (type locality: Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz, Cabaa Las Mirias, Meta, 735 m). Illustrations and a dichotomic key to the Neotropical species of these two genera are presented.

Cephalops Falln and Semicephalops De Meyer (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of five new species and an updated key to males of the Neotropical species.

The pipunculid genera Cephalops Falln, 1810 and Semicephalops De Meyer, 1994 are cosmopolitan in distribution. These two genera have just a few species known from the Neotropical Region and they were completely unknown to Colombia. Four new species of Cephalops and one species of Semicephalops are described from protected areas and conflict-territories of limited access in Colombia, namely Cephalops acutus sp. nov. (type locality: Caaveral, Magdalena), C. gracilis sp. nov. (type locality: El Nspero, Boyac), C. klinsmanni sp. nov. (type locality: Las Brisas, Caquet), C. lobatus sp. nov. (type locality: El Nspero, Boyac) and Semicephalops folium sp. nov. (type locality: Quebrada Carrizal, Boyac). With this paper, the number of Cephalops species from the Neotropical Region increase from 13 to 17 and that of Semicephalops from five to six. Cephalops amapaensis Rafael, 1990 and Semicephalops inpaganus Rafael, 1990 are recorded for the first time from Colombia, and amended diagnosis are provided for both. A dichotomic key to the Neotropical species of both genera is presented.

Basileunculus Rafael, 1987 (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with Description of Three New Species and an Updated Key to Males of the Neotropical Species.

Basileunculus Rafael, 1987 is exclusive of the Neotropical region and is a poorly studied group, completely unknown in Colombia. Three new species of Basileunculus are described from Colombia, namely Basileunculus elieceri sp. nov. (type-locality: Cabaña Chaina, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque), B. elongatus sp. nov. (type-locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque), and B. tayronensis sp. nov. (type-locality: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona). Basileunculus rex Curran, 1934 is recorded for the first time in Colombia, with an amended diagnosis. Descriptions, illustrations, diagnosis, distribution maps of new species, and a dichotomic key for all of the Neotropical species are presented.

A new species of Bittacus Latreille (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) from the Andean-Amazonian foothills, Caquetá, Colombia.

A new hangingfly species, Bittacus rafaeli sp. nov. (Mecoptera: Bittacidae), is herein described and illustrated, based on two specimens from the municipality of El Doncello, Caquetá, Colombia. This is only the ninth Mecoptera species recorded from the country and the twenty-eighth species of Bittacus from South America. A distribution map of the Bittacus species from Colombia is presented.

Tomosvaryella Aczél (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of two new species.

Tomosvaryella Aczél, 1939 has a cosmopolitan distribution and is a genus well studied in general in the Neotropical Region. However, in Colombia only three species were recorded. Two new species of Tomosvaryella are described from protected areas and from conflict territories of limited access in Colombia, namely: Tomosvaryella macarenensis sp. nov. (type-locality: Serrania Macarena, Meta) and T. martae sp. nov. (type-locality: San Vicente del Caguan, Caquetá). The female of T. tuberculata Hardy, 1948 is described. Tomosvaryella similis (Hough, 1899) is new to South America (Colombia) and T. galapagensis (Curran, 1934), T. lynchi (Shannon, 1927), T. mexicanensis Ale-Rocha Rafael, 1995, T. similis, T. tuberculata and T. venezuelana Ale-Rocha, 1993 are reported for the first time in Colombia. Illustrations and a dichotomic key to Colombian species of Tomosvaryella are presented. Furthermore, the diagnosis of all species recorded in Colombia are amended. The Tomosvaryella fauna is increased from three to 11 species in Colombia.

A new genus of chevron cricket (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Lutosinae) from the Colombian and Venezuelan Amazon Rainforest.

Tintiyakus gen. nov., is described based on specimens from the Amazon region, including three species: Tintiyakus piaroa n. comb. (transferred from Hydrolutus Issa Jaffe), Tintiyakus sexangulus sp. nov. (type-species pres. desig.) and Tintiyakus trewicki sp. nov. After Hydrolutos, this is the second anostostomatid genus described to be known from its semiaquatic behaviors, inhabiting the lowlands of the Amazon rainforest. An identification key for species based on males is provided.

Two new species of Huascaromusca Townsend from Colombia, and a new combination for Giovanella carvalhoi (Diptera: Mesembrinellidae).

The Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) are a group of exclusively Neotropical flies, with 38 recognized species distributed in nine genera. A total of 11 of these species, present in seven genera, were known to occur in Colombia. Huascaromusca obscura Wolff, sp. nov. and H. cordillera Wolff & Ramos-Pastrana, sp. nov. are herein described and their male terminalia are illustrated. Based on a prior molecular study of the family, Giovanella carvalhoi Wolff et al., 2013 is transferred to Huascaromusca Townsend. A key to all known species of Huascaromusca is provided.