Wax "tails" enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet.

The striking appearance of wax 'tails' - posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs - has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these structures remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of these wax formations in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax projections undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.3 ± 1.9 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who narrowly complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 ± 0.2 per jump. This suggests that wax structures effectively counteract rotation through aerodynamic drag forces. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals transitions from parabolic to Tartaglia shapes at higher take-off velocities for wax-intact nymphs, illustrating how wax structures assist nymphs in achieving stable, controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper landings, advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for the evolution of flight in wingless insects and bioinspired robotics.

Taxonomic study of Lebinthus Stål, 1877 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae) with description of six new species in the Philippines.

The genus Lebinthus Stål, 1877 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae: Lebinthini) in the Philippines is studied. New locality records are provided for L. bitaeniatus Stål, L. sanchezi Bolívar, L. polillensis Baroga, Yap Robillard, L. puyos Robillard, and L. luae Robillard Tan. Six new species are described from Mt. Porras, Sibalom (L. dannybaletei sp. nov.), Mt. Balatukan, Misamis Oriental (L. parvus sp. nov.), Mt. Empagatao, Misamis Oriental (L. palaceus sp. nov.), Tarumpitao, Palawan (L. hamus sp. nov.), Mt. Malinao, Albay (L. magayon sp. nov.), and Boracay, Aklan (L. boracay sp. nov.). A distribution map, a taxonomic key, and an updated checklist of the genus in the Philippines are also provided.

New data on some crickets of the subfamilies Landrevinae, Phaloriinae and Podoscirtinae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from Laguna (Philippines: Luzon Island).

Recent orthopteran sampling at Laguna in Luzon Island of the Philippines revealed noteworthy crickets from the subfamilies Landrevinae, Phaloriinae and Podoscirtinae. We describe one species new to science from the subfamily Podoscirtinae: Mnesibulus laguna n. sp. We record new locality and complete the genitalia description of Phaloria (Phaloria) modulator (Saussure, 1878), previously described with incomplete parts of genitalia in the holotype. We also differentiate Duolandrevus (Jorama) curtipennis Chopard, 1937 from Laguna which varies slightly from the subspecies from Palawan and Mindoro.

A taxonomic study on the Bornean and Philippines Sword-tailed Crickets in the genus Rhicnogryllus Chopard, 1925 (Orthoptera: Trgonidiidae; Trigonidiinae).

Rhicnogryllus Chopard, 1925 is a small and relatively unknown group of Sword-tailed Cricket of the subfamily Trigonidiinae. This genus currently comprises 12 species from Asia, Africa (including Madagascar), South America and the Pacific. Species have been recognised by the presence of parallel and elevated veins in both males (which lack stridulatory organs) and females. However, this approach to classifying Trigonidiinae may be outdated and examination of male genitalia can offer better insights into the generic status of these species and how they are related or unrelated. By comparing male genitalia of new materials and old specimens, we describe a new species from the Philippines: Rhicnogryllus? paetensis n. sp., which is similar to the type species. Our hypothesis is that Rhicnogryllus is a non-monophyletic and artificial genus, and that the genus should comprise only Southeast Asian members (since the type species Rhicnogryllus fascipes Chopard, 1925 is known from the Philippines). We are cautiously against describing new genus to avoid adding more confusion until a comprehensive revision to the subfamily and Rhicnogryllus has been undertaken.

Taxonomy and bioacoustics of Meconematinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Laguna (Philippines: Luzon).

Katydids from the subfamily Meconematinae sing at ultrasonic frequencies. Owing that many of them are nocturnal, elusive and low in abundance (since they are predatory), there is a dearth of information on these katydids and their bioacoustics, especially for species in the understudied yet mega-diverse Southeast Asia. Recent orthopteran surveys in Laguna, Luzon Island in the Philippines led to the discovery of two interesting Meconematinae katydids. Based on the collection, we describe a new species of Phisidini: Neophisis (Indophisis) montealegrei sp. nov. We also describe the male for the first time and redescribe the female of Asiophlugis philippina. The ultrasonic calling songs of both Meconematinae are also recorded, analysed and described here.

Comparative histological studies on properties of polysaccharides secreted by vomeronasal glands of eight Laurasiatheria species.

Most mammalian species have a vomeronasal organ that detects specific chemical substances, such as pheromones. Mucous fluid covering the vomeronasal sensory epithelium is secreted by vomeronasal glands, and the properties of these fluids have been suggested to be involved in chemical detection. Histological studies using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue pH 2.5 (AB) stains, which respectively detect natural and acidic polysaccharides, have suggested variations in the nature of the vomeronasal glands among species. Here, we investigated the responsivity of the vomeronasal glands to PAS and AB stains in eight Laurasiatheria species. All species studied herein possessed vomeronasal glands that stained positive for PAS, like other many reported species. The vomeronasal glands of dogs and minks - like rodents, were AB-negative, whereas those of cows, goats, sika deer, musk shrews and two bat species were positive. Considering the present findings and previous reports, the vomeronasal glands in most of Laurasiatheria species appear to be fundamentally abundant in acidic polysaccharides, whereas those in carnivores essentially contains neutral polysaccharides.

Taxonomic review of the genus Paranisitra Chopard (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae: Nisitrini) with description of a new species from Mindanao.

The genus Paranisitra Chopard (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae: Nisitrini) is reviewed. New records and additional descriptions are provided for P. longipes Chopard, P. leytensis Robillard, and P. septentria Baroga, Yap Robillard, and a new species is described from Mindanao: Paranisitra flavofacia n. sp. A taxonomic key and updated checklist of the genus Paranisitra in the world are also provided.

New species of Ornebius (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae; Mogoplistinae) from Siargao Island of the Philippines.

Two new species of Ornebius are described from Siargao Island, Mindanao of the Philippines: O. alvarezi sp. nov. and O. bioculatus sp. nov. These sympatric scaly crickets have diverging genitalia morphology, with O. alvarezi sp. nov. resembling congeners from Borneo whereas O. bioculatus sp. nov. resembling congeners from Sulawesi. With the new findings, the number of Ornebius species known from the Philippines increases to four.

Taxonomic notes on Trigonidium and related groups with one new species from the Philippines (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae; Trigonidiinae).

The taxonomy of Old World Trigonidiinae (sword-tailed crickets) is in need of major revision. This includes its type genus Trigonidium. Various authors have different opinions on what constitutes the subgenera and species of Trigonidium s. l. and this has led to considerable confusion and inconsistencies. Recent use of molecular data has helped make some progress in resolving some of these problems, but there are still limitations. In this paper, we aim to provide a baseline to resolve the confusion in the taxonomy of Trigonidium s. l. Firstly, we provide a literature review of the contentious taxa related to Trigonidium and also provide some recommendations on future work for Trigonidium s. l. Secondly, we reanalysed the gene tree (sensu Lu et al., 2018) using more DNA sequences from GenBank to test whether Trigonidium s. str. and Paratrigonidium should be considered separate genera or subgenera of Trigonidium s. l. However, the gene tree based on current data was not conclusive. Lastly, we describe a new species of Trigonidium s. str. from Siargao Island, Mindanao (Philippines): Trigonidium solis sp. nov.

An account on the Orthoptera from Siargao Island (Southeast Asia: Philippines: Mindanao).

Siargao Island is located on the southeastern part of the Philippines. We have very little knowledge on the Orthoptera from this island which is covered with forest over limestone, open vegetation, and mangrove, despite being designated as one of the terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Philippines. We conducted surveys in 2018 to search for orthopterans. In total, thirty-seven species from 34 genera were found. Seventeen species are recorded in Siargao Island for the first time, representing 45.9% of all collected species, thus, validating that orthopterans in the island are indeed overlooked. Out of the 37 species, 21 of these are endemic to the Philippines and 9 are endemic to Siargao Island, hence suggesting that species on the island can be biologically significant..                We also observed that a huge proportion of the species in Siargao Island are fully winged and capable of flight, but most species are small sized. We also provide taxonomic notes and illustrations, including descriptions of the male Segestidea punctipennis Bolívar, 1903 and female Eumecopoda reducta Hebard, 1922 for the first time. We inferred that species from Siargao Island are closely associated with Sundaland and for within Philippines, Mindanao and Luzon.

Revision of the endemic Philippine Poeciloterpa Stål (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) with description of four new species.

The genus Poeciloterpa Stål endemic to the Philippines with 9 known species is reviewed. Four new species are described and illustrated: P. altissima Crispolon et Soulier-Perkins sp. nov., P. conica Crispolon et Soulier-Perkins sp. nov., P. gapudi Crispolon et Yap sp. nov. and P. mangkas Crispolon et Yap sp. nov. Illustrations and descriptions for the male genitalia are given for the first time for all the species except for P. nigrolimbata Stål known only by two female specimens. A key to species is provided. The type of habitats where the species are found is discussed and new host-plants listed.

A new species of Landrevinae (Orthoptera) from the Philippines, with notes on Endodrelanva and Endolandrevus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; Gryllinae; Landrevini).

Owing to the cryptic behavior and morphology of many Southeast Asian Landrevinae, new species are still being discovered in unexplored parts of the region. Here, we describe a new species: Endodrelanva siargaoensis sp. nov. We also recorded and describe the calling song of the new species. Owing to the morphological similarities between species of Endodrelanva Gorochov, 2000 and Endolandrevus Saussure, 1877, we also provide a short review of the two genera and list their characters for comparison.

New taxa and notes on spine-headed katydids (Orthoptera: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) from the Philippines.

The diversity of the Agraeciini spine-headed katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea: Conocephalinae) in Southeast Asia remains poorly known, with species still awaiting discovery. Recent field collections in the Philippines resulted in the discovery of three novel species and redescription of two known species of Agraeciini, namely, (1) Anthracites furvuseques sp. nov. from Siargao in Mindanao, a species close to A. major Hebard, 1922; (2) Axylus mabinii sp. nov. from Luzon: (3) a new variant in Axylus c.f. philippinus (Hebard, 1922); (4) Salomona lumadae sp. nov. from Siargao in Mindanao; and (5) Salomona brevicollis Stål, 1877 comb. resurr. is a valid species distinct from Salomona maculifrons Stål, 1877.

Two new species of Eneopterinae crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from Luzon, Philippines.

Luzon Island is considered as the largest island in the Philippines and is characterized by a considerable biodiversity encompassing many endemic plant and animal species. In this paper, two new species of Eneopterinae crickets: (1) Lebinthus polillensis n. sp., and (2) Paranisitra septentria n. sp. are described and an updated key to the Philippines species of the subfamily Eneopterinae is provided.