Chromosome-level Genome Assembly of Theretra japonica (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

Theretra japonica is an important pollinator and agricultural pest in the family Sphingidae with a wide range of host plants. High-quality genomic resources facilitate investigations into behavioral ecology, morphological and physiological adaptations, and the evolution of genomic architecture. However, chromosome-level genome of T. japonica is still lacking. Here we sequenced and assembled the high-quality genome of T. japonica by combining PacBio long reads, Illumina short reads, and Hi-C data. The genome was contained in 95 scaffolds with an accumulated length of 409.55 Mb (BUSCO calculated a genome completeness of 99.2%). The 29 pseudochromosomes had a combined length of 403.77 Mb, with a mapping rate of 98.59%. The genomic characterisation of T. japonica will contribute to further studies for Sphingidae and Lepidoptera.

Revision of the Genus Rhagastis Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) from China, Based on Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses.

Here, the taxonomy of the genus Rhagastis Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae, Macroglossinae, Macroglossini) from China is revised based on differences in wing morphology, male and female genitalia, and the phylogenetic relationship of the DNA barcodes. Subspecies of Rhagastis albomarginatus (Rothschild, 1894) and R. castor (Walker, 1856) are treated as "good" species, namely Rhagastis dichroae Mell, 1922 stat. nov.; R. everetti Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 stat. nov.; R. aurifera (Butler, 1875) stat. rev.; R. chinensis Mell, 1922 stat. nov.; R. formosana Clark, 1925 stat. nov.; and R. jordani Oberthür, 1904 stat. rev. The distribution maps, biological notes, and ecological records of the genus Rhagastis Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 from China are given, and a species inventory of genus Rhagastis in the world is also included.

Cradle for the newborn Monochamus saltuarius: Microbial associates to ward off entomopathogens and disarm plant defense.

The Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus saltuarius, as a beetle vector of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pine wood nematode), is an economically important forest pest in Eurasia. To feed on the phloem and xylem of conifers, M. saltuarius needs to overcome various stress factors, including coping with entomopathogenic bacteria and also various plant secondary compounds (PSCs). As an important adaptation strategy to colonize host trees, M. saltuarius deposit eggs in oviposition pits to shield their progeny. These pits harbor bacterial communities that are involved in the host adaptation of M. saltuarius to the conifers. However, the composition, origin, and functions of these oviposition pit bacteria are rarely understood. In this study, we investigated the bacterial community associated with M. saltuarius oviposition pits and their ability to degrade PSCs. Results showed that the bacterial community structure of M. saltuarius oviposition pits significantly differed from that of uninfected phloem. Also, the oviposition pit bacteria were predicted to be enriched in PSC degradation pathways. The microbial community also harbored a lethal strain of Serratia, which was significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, metatranscriptome analysis indicated that genes involved in PSCs degradation were expressed complementarily among the microbial communities of oviposition pits and secretions. In vitro degradation showed that bacteria cultured from oviposition pits degraded more monoterpenes and flavonoids than bacteria cultured from uninfected phloem isolates. Disinfection of oviposition pits increased the mortality of newly hatched larvae and resulted in a significant decrease in body weight in the early stages. Overall, our results reveal that M. saltuarius construct oviposition pits that harbor a diverse microbial community, with stronger PSCs degradation abilities and a low abundance of entomopathogenic bacteria, resulting in the increased fitness of newly hatched larvae.

The life history of Hayesiana triopus (Westwood, 1847), with taxonomic notes on both present and former species of the genus Hayesiana Fletcher, 1982 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

The two species previously included in the genus Hayesiana Fletcher, 1982 were studied. The life history of the sole currently included species, Hayesiana triopus (Westwood, 1847) is illustrated in colour for the first time. Field records of Hayesiana triopus and Dahira farintaenia (Zhu & Wang, 1997) (previously Hayesiana farintaenia) are given, with the first description of the female genitalia of the latter. The diagnostic features and DNA barcoding data of Hayesiana triopus and Dahira farintaenia are also discussed.

Review of the genus Lemaireia Nssig amp; Holloway, 1988 from China, with description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

A new species of the genus Lemaireia Nssig Holloway, 1988 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Saturniinae: Saturniini), L. daparo sp. n., is described from evergreen broad-leaf forests in Panzhihua (Sichuan), Qujing (Yunnan) and Dali (Yunnan) of China. The new species resembles L. luteopeplus aureopeplus Nssig Holloway, 1988 and L. hainana Nssig Wang, 2006 from China, but can be easily separated from them by the male genitalia. In addition, the genus Lemaireia is reported here for the first time from Sichuan Province, and now its distribution range reached the northeastern extreme point. The habitus, diagnostic characters and distribution map of the three species of the genus Lemaireia from China are provided. A list of all Lemaireia species presently known worldwide is also given.

The first record of the monospecific genus Rhinopalpa (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from China.

BACKGROUND: The family Nymphalidae is the largest group of butterflies with high species richeness. Rhinopalpapolynice (Cramer, [1779]), a forest species, was discovered in the mid-stream of the Yuanjiang-Red River Valley of Yunnan Province for the first time, which represents the first record of the genus Rhinopalpa in China. NEW INFORMATION: The species R. polynice (Cramer, [1779]) is the first record of the genus Rhinopalpa from China. The specimen was collected in the mid-stream of the Yuanjiang-Red River Valley of Yunnan Province. The female genitalia are described for the first time.

A new species of the genus Dahira Moore (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) fromSichuan, China.

A new species of hawkmoth, Dahira sichuanica sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae, Macroglossinae, Macroglossini), is described based on a single male from an evergreen broad-leaf forest in Dafengding Nature Reserve, Leshan, Sichuan, China. The habitus and diagnostic features of the new species are described and illustrated. A list of all Dahira species presently known from China and the distribution map of the new species are also given.

Review of the genus Eurypteryx C. Felder R. Felder, 1874 from China, with a first description of the male E. dianae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

The two species of the genus Eurypteryx C. Felder R. Felder, 1874 known from China, E. bhaga and E. dianae (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae, Macroglossinae, Macroglossini) were examined and compared with E. geoffreyi from Thailand. The male E. dianae is described for the first time based on a single specimen from an evergreen broad-leaf forest in Maolan Nature Reserve, Libo, Guizhou, China. The diagnostic features and a distribution map of the species of Eurypteryx in China are provided. A list of all Eurypteryx species presently known worldwide is also given.

Three new species of the Stenus cephalotes group fom Zhejiang, East China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

Three new species of the Stenus cephalotes group from Zhejiang, East China are described: S. qingliangfengus Tang Jiang, sp. n., S. communicatus Tang Jiang, sp. n. and S. fengyangshanus Tang Jiang, sp. n. The diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated and a key to species of the group from Zhejiang is provided.