A new species of the genus Synanthedon Hbner [1819] (Lepidoptera Sesiidae) from Taiwan.

A new species of clearwing moth, Synanthedon suhua sp. nov., is described from Taiwan in this article. Adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated, DNA barcodes provided, and potential damage to Quercus longinux (Fagaceae) discussed.

Flower-visiting insects of genus Melastoma (Myrtales: Melastomataceae) at the Fushan Botanical Garden, Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the diversity and behaviour of insects that visit flowers of four native Melastoma (Family Melastomataceae) species of Taiwan and a horticultural hybrid Melastoma species at the Fushan Botanical Garden, Taiwan biweekly from May to August 2020. Visits of flower-visiting insects were classified into seven behavioural categories, based on the insects' behaviour and positions on the flower. The data are further assigned into four insect-flower interactions, namely pollination, herbivory, commensalism and neutralism. Our goal is to provide baseline data of insect-plant interactions of Melastoma, which is a common, but understudied plant genus in the country. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 1,289 visits to flowers were recorded by at least 63 insect morphospecies belonging to seven orders. The number of insect species recorded per Melastoma species ranged from 9 to 39. Visiting, sonication and passing were the three most frequently recorded types of behaviour, collectively accounting for 90.2% (n = 1,240) of the total observations. Pollination was the most dominant insect-flower interaction, accounting for 70.2% of the total observations, followed by neutralism (20.0%), herbivory (6.3%) and commensalism (3.5%). Sweat bees of the genera Lasioglossum and Maculonomia (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) are considered key pollinators to Melastoma species in Fushan Botanical Garden, based on their high number of visits and sonication behaviour. Our study provides the first list of insects that visit the flowers of all Taiwan's known Melastoma species and description of their interactions with the plants.

The types of skippers described by Shu-Iti Murayama (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

Fifteen holotypes of Asian Hesperiidae taxa described by Shu-iti Murayama were examined, and their taxonomic status is discussed. We confirm that five are valid names while the rest are synonyms as indicated partially by previous authors. Valid species-level names are Aeromachus matudai (Murayama), Aeromachus bandaishanus Murayama Shimonoya, Coladenia pinsbukana (Shimonoya Murayama), and Sebastonyma suthepiana Murayama Kimura. Valid subspecies-level name is Ochlodes yuchingkina Murayama Shimonoya. In order to settle the taxonomic status of Pedesta masuriensis cuneomaculata Murayama, masuriensis and tali were studied morphologically and molecularly. As a result, we consider that masuriensis and tali are two different species and treat cuneomaculata as a junior subjective synonym of tali.

On systematic status of Spindasis syama Horsfield, [1829] in Taiwan and the Philippines (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Aphnaeini).

Based upon both morphological and gene barcode evidence, the population of Spindasis syama in Taiwan is described as Spindasis syama lamuae, ssp. nov., and the taxon negrita Felder, 1862 is revised as a species endemic to the Philippines (stat. rev.).

A novel design of palatal stent to reduce donor site morbidity in periodontal plastic surgery.

BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: The connective tissue graft from hard palate is a reliable graft technique that has been used for achieving root coverage, increasing keratinized tissue width and thickness in periodontal plastic surgeries. Donor site morbidities, including complications from postoperative bleeding, pain during healing phase, difficulties in eating and speaking and unexpecting healing patterns, are always a concern for both doctors and patients. The aim of this study was to investigate a novel design of palatal stent to reduce these complications and provide patient with a smooth healing experience after soft tissue harvesting from hard palate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients requiring connective tissue graft from palatal site were included in the study. The palatal stents made with light-curing hybrid composite resin were fabricated and tried in for patients prior to the periodontal plastic surgeries. Stent was delivered immediately without other dressing material or suture after the graft harvesting procedure for blood clot stabilization. Bleeding tendency was evaluated at the completion of the procedure. Patients came back for follow up in 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after the surgery. In the consecutive clinical cases, all patients reported minimal postoperative pain and discomfort (score ranged between 0 and 2). Both chewing and swallowing were not affected when wearing the stent, while four patients reported speaking inconvenience influenced by the stent. RESULTS: In the consecutive clinical cases, all patient reported minimal postoperative pain and discomfort (Score ranged between 0 and 2). Both chewing and swallowing were not affected when wearing the stent while four patients reported speaking influenced by the stent. CONCLUSION: The novel design of palatal stent reduces donor site morbidity and provides patient with a good healing experience after soft tissue harvesting from hard palate.

Immature stages of Neptis reducta Fruhstorfer, 1908 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Neptini): morphology, ecology and food specialty.

Neptis reducta Fruhsorfer, 1908 is currently recognized as a nymphalid butterfly found only in Taiwan and Thailand, with previously recorded larval hostplant and immature biology involving mis-identifications. The present study recognizes Aphananthe aspera (Cannabaceae) as the sole larval hostplant for N. reducta, and the nymphalid butterfly is the first known lepidopterous insect specialized on Aphananthe.

On revised systematic status of Mycalesis suaveolens kagina Fruhstorfer, 1911, with notes on its immature biology and hostplant associations.

Mycalesis kagina Fruhstorfer, 1911 is separated from Mycalesis suaveolens Wood-Mason de Nicéville, 1883 to represent a species endemic to Taiwan based upon COI barcode divergence, morphological diagnosis of larva, and genitalia of both sexes. Both kagina and suaveolens are confirmed as members of the genus Mycalesis in Mycalesina. Immature morphology, biology, and hostplant associations for both species are given for the first time. Larvae of both species are recognized as specialists on Zingiberaceae, a plant family rarely used by satyrid butterflies.

Two new species of the tribe Synanthedonini (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae), with new hostplant associations from Taiwan.

Two new species of the tribe Synanthedonini are described from Taiwan: Synanthedonauritinctaoidis sp. nov. and Paranthrenellahelvola sp. nov. Diagnostic characters for the two species are presented using body color, wing pattern, and genitalia. New records of the relationships between host plants and the immatures are also provided. S.auritinctaoidis feeds in the trunk of Cinnamomumcamphora (Lauraceae) and P.helvola in callus tissue of Heliciaformosana (Proteaceae) or Prunuscampanulata (Rosaceae).

A review of clearwing moths in the tribe Synanthedonini, with descriptions of six new species from Taiwan (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

The Synanthedonini fauna of Taiwan is reviewed, and a checklist of 9 species for this region is provided. Six new species are described: Paranthrenella dortmundi Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Paranthrenella weiyui Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Ichneumenoptera gryphus Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Kantipuria glansvorax Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Synanthedon ceraunus Liang & Hsu sp. nov., and Synanthedon phoenix Liang & Hsu sp. nov. New records of relationships between host plants and the immatures of Synanthedonini in Taiwan are also provided, with three species feeding on callus tissue of stems of Fagaceae, two on Lauraceae, and one on Rosaceae. One species is an obligatory borer into acorns of Fagaceae, and such kind of feeding strategy is rare among clearwing moths.