Uncovering nutrients and energy related gene functions of black soldier fly Hermetia illucens strain KUP.

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) has emerged as a significant insect species in the decomposition of organic waste for sustainable agricultural practices. Due to its remarkable characteristics and performance, H. illucens is increasingly utilised for insect farming, particularly for industrial-scale rearing throughout the world. In this study, we employed whole-genome sequencing to annotate the gene and protein functions of H. illucens and to explore the functional genomics related to nutrients and energy. As a result, a genome size of H. illucens strain KUP 1.68 Gb with a GC content of 42.13 % was achieved. Of the 14,036 coding sequences, we determined the function of 12,046 protein-coding genes. Based on metabolic functional assignment, we classified 4,218 protein-coding genes; the main category was metabolism (32.86 %). Comparative genomic analysis across the other H. illucens strain and insect species revealed that the major metabolic gene functions and pathways related to nutrient and energy sources of H. illucens KUP are involved in key amino acid metabolism (e.g., cysteine and methionine) as well as fatty acid biosynthesis and glycerolipid metabolism. These findings underscore the metabolic capability and versatility of H. illucens, which is regarded as a potential source of proteins and lipids. Our study contributes to the knowledge regarding the feed utilisation of H. illucens and offers insights into transforming waste into valuable products. H. illucens has the potential to create globally sustainable nutrients and environmentally friendly solutions, aligning with the goal of responsible resource utilisation.

Taxonomic review of the Oriental genus Polyplocia Lestage, 1921 (Ephemeroptera, Euthyplociidae), with two new records for Thailand.

Previously, the euthyplociid mayfly from Thailand was reported as Polyplocia spp. without designation to any nominal species. In this study, the genus Polyplocia Lestage, 1921 in Thailand was reviewed. Two species are recognized: Polyplociaorientalis Nguyen & Bae, 2003 and P.nebulosa Gonçalves & Peters, 2016. This is the first report of P.nebulosa in Continental Asia. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) data and illustrations based on nymphal characters were used to confirm two different species in Thailand. Additional morphological characteristics of the nymph and eggs of the two species from Thailand are also shown in detail. The taxonomic status of Polyplocia in the Oriental region is reviewed. Keys to known nymphal and imaginal stages are provided and the distribution of Polyplocia in the Oriental region is discussed.

First report of the Afrotropical genus Securiops Jacobus, McCafferty & Gattolliat (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) from Southeast Asia, with description of a new species.

Recent collections in Thailand revealed the occurrence of the genus Securiops in Asia, formerly known from the Afrotropical Realm only. A new species of Securiops is described and illustrated based on larvae and eggs. Eggs of this genus are described for the first time. Morphological differences between the new species and the species from Africa are discussed. The number of species in the genus Securiops is augmented to five.

First report of the genus Tenuibaetis (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) from Thailand revealing a complex of cryptic species.

A new species of the genus Tenuibaetis Kang & Yang, 1994 is described from Thailand and the genus is reported for the first time from this country. Tenuibaetispanhai sp. nov. is easily distinguished from other known Tenuibaetis by the complete absence of hindwing pads. Molecular evidence based on COI confirmed the validity of the new species. Additional putative species of Tenuibaetis based on molecular evidence only are considered as Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) without description. The morphological characters of the new species and its closely related species are discussed; a key to the Oriental species is provided.

A new species and first record of the genus Procerobaetis Kaltenbach & Gattolliat, 2020 (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) from Thailand.

The genus Procerobaetis Kaltenbach & Gattolliat, 2020 is reported for the first time from Thailand, and Procerobaetis totuspinosus sp. nov. is described as a new species based on larvae. It can be easily distinguished from other known Procerobaetis species by the presence of triangular spines at the posterior margin of tergites VI-IX. COI sequences were obtained from all known species. The genetic distances (Kimura 2-parameter) between the new species and the other species are between 20% and 23%. The morphological characters of the new species and its closely related species are discussed; larval key to all species of the genus Procerobaetis is also provided.

Review of the Oriental genus Indocloeon Müller-Liebenau 1982 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) with descriptions of two new species.

The genus Indocloeon Müller-Liebenau 1982 (s. l.) is divided into two subgenera, the subgenus Indocloeon (s. str.) and the subgenus Hindocloeon subgen. n. which differ one from another by certain characters of larvae, winged stages and eggs. The subgenus Indocloeon is distributed in Sri Lanka only and includes two species, Indocloeon (Indocloeon) primum Müller-Liebenau 1982, and Indocloeon (Indocloeon) secundum sp. n., which are described here based on larvae, subimagines, imagines of both sexes and eggs associated by rearing. The subgenus Hindocloeon (type species Indocloeon indonesiae Kluge 2012) is widely distributed in the Oriental region. A new species Indocloeon (Hindocloeon) continentale sp. n. is described from Thailand based on larvae, subimagines, imagines of both sexes and eggs associated by rearing; subimagines presumably placed in this species, are reported from southern India. Some characters of Indocloeon (Hindocloeon) indonesiae Kluge 2012 are illustrated for the first time. The species originally described as Cloeon longistylus Demoulin 1969 is placed in Indocloeon as Indocloeon (Hindocloeon) longistylus comb. n. Subimagines of two unnamed species of Hindocloeon are reported from Vietnam and Java. Keys to known larvae and imagines are given.

Cymbalcloeon gen. nov., an incredible new mayfly genus (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Thailand.

The genus Cymbalcloeon gen. nov. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is established for a new species Cymbalcloeon sartorii sp. nov. from Thailand, based on larval stage. This genus is unique among all of the Baetidae by the presence of three pairs of single gills on segments V-VII, ventrally oriented to cover the sterna VI-IX. Cymbalcloeon sartorii gen. nov. et sp. nov. presents unique or rare morphological characters such as a deeply concave margin between the prostheca and mola, without setae; a very large subtriangular process of the left mandible; a maxillary palp segment II with scarce and very long setae; almost completely fused labial palp segments II and III with numerous very long setae; elongate tarsal claw with two rows of teeth; a shagreen surface of the terga and paraproct; and a very reduced body size. The gills of the new genus move very quickly during respiration and present a near-synchronous protraction. Due to the very derived larval morphological character and the unknown imaginal stage, the exact phylogenetic position of the genus remains unclear; it most certainly belongs to the concept of Anteropatellata and is possibly closely related to the genus Baetopus.