Tribal assignment of the genus Eumera Staudinger, 1892, using multi-gene analysis, with description of a new species from Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae).

The geometrid moth genus Eumera Staudinger, 1892 consists of five yellow-orange-pinkish species distributed in the western Palearctic, with uncertain tribal classification within the geometrid subfamily Ennominae. In this study, we explored the phylogenetic position of the genus Eumera. Therefore, a concatenated dataset was analyzed, which includes one mitochondrial and up to ten protein-coding genetic markers per taxa. Moreover, we compared some external and internal morphological traits to other closely related genera. Our phylogenetic inference and comparative morphology suggested that Eumera should be included in the tribe Prosopolophini. In addition, a new species, Eumera rajaeii sp. nov. Wanke & Shirvani is described from southern Iran, and diagnosed by molecular data and morphological features. The distribution of the Iranian species is shown on a map. We illustrate external characters and male genitalia of three closely related Eumera species.

Three new species of Neotropical Ceraleurodicus Hempel (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) found in the Natural History Museum (London) collection, with notes and a puparial key to species.

In this study, three new species of whitefly in the neotropical genus Ceraleurodicus Hempel are described and illustrated based on specimens discovered in the aleyrodid collection of the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK): Ceraleurodicus boteh Canty sp. nov., Ceraleurodicus brianeno Canty sp. nov., and Ceraleurodicus wire Canty sp. nov. Also included is a key to puparia of the ten known species in the genus, and brief descriptions and illustrations of the known puparia and adults within the genus.

Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae).

The Iranian taxa of the tribe Scopulini are taxonomically revised. The systematic positions of the genera Cinglis Guene, 1858, Glossotrophia Prout, 1913, Pseudocinglis Hausmann, 1994 and Scopuloides Hausmann, 1994, with uncertain validity and/or position within the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae), are further elucidated by use of one mitochondrial and up to nine protein-coding nuclear gene regions. Available type specimens of the described species and more than 2,600 additional specimens were morphologically investigated. In addition, over 400 genitalia preparations were made and examined together with distribution data and DNA barcodes. As a result of the multi-gene analysis, the genera Cinglis stat. rev. and Scopuloides stat. rev. are re-validated at the genus level. The genus Pseudocinglis syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of the genus Cinglis stat. rev. and Glossotrophia syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of the genus Scopula. Cinglis eurata (Prout, 1913) comb. nov. and Cinglis benigna (Brandt, 1941) comb. nov. are combined with the genus Cinglis. Additionally, Cinglis benigna amseli (Wiltshire, 1967) syn. nov. is regarded as a synonym of C. benigna. Scopula adulteraria (Erschov, 1874) stat. nov. is raised from subspecies to species rank; Scopula iranaria Bytinski-Salz & Brandt, 1937 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. flaccidaria (Zeller, 1852); S. transcaspica taftanica Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. transcaspica Prout, 1935; S. diffinaria asiatica (Brandt, 1938) syn. nov. is synonymized with S. diffinaria (Prout, 1913) and Glossotrophia bullata Vojnits, 1986 syn. nov. is synonymized with Scopula sacraria ariana (Ebert, 1965). The female genitalia of Scopula lactarioides Brandt, 1941 are described and illustrated for the first time. In total, the presence of 33 species of Scopulini in Iran is confirmed. Wing patterns, male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of most Iranian Scopulini species are depicted and their distribution ranges are mapped.

Integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Phaselia Guene, [1858] (Geometridae: Ennominae) in the Middle East and Central Asia.

In the past, the high intraspecific variation of wing pattern within the genus Phaselia Guene, [1858] repeatedly led to misidentifications. In this study, we applied an integrative approach using external and internal morphological characters, along with DNA barcoding and distribution data to review the taxonomy of the genus Phaselia in the Middle East and Central Asia. For this study, 710 specimens, including type specimens and 242 genitalia slides were prepared and examined. As a result, P. phaeoleucaria (Lederer, 1855) stat. rev. is reinstated from synonymy of P. serrularia; P. phaeoleucaria shurensis Wehrli 1941 comb. nov. is regarded as a subspecies of P. phaeoleucaria stat. rev. instead of a subspecies of P. serrularia; P. serrularia catharia Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of P. phaeoleucaria shurensis comb. nov.; P. narynaria Oberthr, 1913 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of P. serrularia (Eversmann, 1847); P. pithana Wehrli, 1941 bona sp. is raised to species level from subspecies of P. serrularia. Furthermore, two species and two subspecies are described as new to science: P. smettboi sp. nov., P. sihvoneni sp. nov., P. erika jonubi ssp. nov. and P. erika sindhi ssp. nov. Wing pattern, and both male and female genitalia of all discussed taxa are illustrated, their distribution patterns are shown on a map and CO1 data is evaluated to confirm our taxonomic decisions.

Updates on the FixatorFacilitating the investigation, mounting, and photography of structures and specimens in liquid.

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Integrative taxonomic review of the genus Synopsia Hübner, 1825 in the Middle East (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae).

The geometrid genera Synopsia Hübner, 1825 and Synopsidia Djakonov, 1935 are revised, both being earlier validated at genus rank. Type specimens, original descriptions and additional specimens from different localities were examined. The revision is based on morphological characters, molecular data and distribution records. As a result, Synopsidia syn. nov. is regarded as junior synonym of the genus Synopsia. The synonymies of the species Scodonia tekkearia Christoph, 1883 and Synopsia znojkoi Djakonov, 1935 with Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov. are confirmed. Furthermore, Synopsidia phasidaria alvandi Wiltshire, 1966 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria ardschira Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Synopsidia phasidaria chiraza Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., Hashtaresia jodes Wehrli, 1936 syn. nov. and Synopsidia phasidaria mirabica Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. are regarded as synonyms of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov.. Synopsia phasidaria afghana (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov. is tentatively validated at subspecific rank. Synopsia centralis (Wiltshire, 1966) comb. nov., bona sp. is upgraded from subspecies to species level. Wing pattern, as well as male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of examined genera and species are illustrated and analyzed. The distribution patterns of Synopsia phasidaria comb. nov. and Synopsia centralis bona sp., as well as the type localities of all discussed taxa, are provided. A complete checklist of the genus is given.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) with description of three new species-an integrative approach.

The non-European taxa of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 are revised. Type specimens of all described species and a large series of about 800 additional specimens were morphologically examined. More than 400 genitalia preparations were made and analyzed along with distributional and DNA barcode data. As a result of our integrative taxonomic approach, Nychiodes waltheri saerdabica Wehrli, 1938 syn. nov., is synonymized with N. waltheri Wagner, 1919; N. palaestinensis libanotica Zerny, 1933 syn. nov. is synonymized with N. palaestinensis Wagner, 1919 and the synonymy of N. persuavis Wehrli, 1929 syn. rev. with N. palaestinensis is confirmed; N. admirabila safidaria Wiltshire, 1943 syn. nov. is synonymized with N. admirabila Brandt, 1938; N. agatcha Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., N. subvirida disjuncta Wehrli, 1941 syn. nov. and N. subvirida taftana Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. are synonymized with N. subvirida Brandt, 1938. Also, N. variabila variabila Brandt, 1938 syn. nov., N. variabila opulenta Brandt, 1941 syn. nov., N. divergaria elbursica Wehrli, 1937 syn. nov., N. divergaria fallax Wehrli, 1939 syn. nov. and N. divergaria achtyca Wehrli, 1939 syn. nov. are synonymized with N. divergaria Staudinger, 1892. Nychiodes convergata sp. nov. from Israel, N. mirzayansi sp. nov. from the Iran and N. eberti sp. nov. from Turkey are described. Lecto- and paralectotypes are designated for N. palaestinensis, N. antiquaria, N. divergaria. Furthermore, N. antiquaria is reported as a new species for Pakistan, N. rayatica is reported as a new species for Iran and the hypothetical occurrence of N. amygdalaria in Iran is confirmed. Additionally, N. tyttha needs to be excluded from the genus. Wing pattern, male and female genitalia and diagnostic characters of all examined species are illustrated and distribution maps are provided. Illustrated keys based on genitalia, as well as a complete checklist of the genus is given here.

Biodiversi-TEA-A quick and easy handling method for arthropod trap material in ethanol.

A quick and easy handling method for ethanol-preserved arthropods is presented, based on tea filter bags and holders. The method is especially suitable for short term storage of specimens resulting from Malaise traps, yellow pan traps and pitfall traps and can be used directly in the field, for subsequent transport and processing of specimens in the laboratory.

The Fixator-A simple method for mounting of arthropod specimens and photography of complex structures in liquid.

Mounting and preparing arthropods in liquids for photography and further investigations is a challenging task and may lead to unsatisfactory results and, in the worst case, to damage to specimens. A new method is presented here, which allows the fixation of specimens of different sizes under various degrees of pressure. The method is illustrated by three case studies from different groups of insects and arachnids.

An integrative taxonomic revision of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) in the Middle East and Central Asia, with description of two new species.

Western Palaearctic species of the genus Triphosa Stephens, 1829 are revised with focus on the Middle East and Central Asia. The analysis is based on the morphological examination (wing pattern and genitalia) of the type series of most species, as well as of large series of additional material. Additionally, DNA barcode data were used as an extra line of information. As result, Triphosa agnata Le Cerf, 1918 syn. n. is synonymized with T. sabaudiata (Duponchel, 1830), the taxonomy of the enigmatic Triphosa taochata Lederer, 1870 is clarified, and two species are described as new to science: T. silviae sp. n. and T. lecerfi sp. n.. Hydria ravulata (Staudinger, 1892) comb. rev., is transferred from Triphosa to the genus Hydria. Lectotypes are designated for Triphosa taochata and Hydria ravulata. Wing pattern, genitalia and diagnostic characters of all examined species are illustrated and the distribution data shown on the map.