Morphology of the pterothoracic musculature in Paraneoptera and its phylogenetic implication (Insecta: Neoptera).

Although the monophyly of Paraneoptera (=hemipteroid orders or Acercaria, composed of Psocodea, Thysanoptera and Hemiptera) has been widely accepted morphologically, the results from molecular phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses contradict this hypothesis. In particular, phylogenomic analyses provide strong bootstrap support for the sister group relationship between Psocodea and Holometabola, that is, paraphyly of Paraneoptera. Here, we examined the pterothoracic musculature of Paraneoptera, as well as a wide range of other neopterous insect orders, and analysed its phylogenetic implication. By using the synchrotron microcomputed tomography (µCT) and parsimony-based ancestral state reconstruction, several apomorphic conditions suggesting the monophyly of Paraneoptera, such as the absence of the II/IIItpm7, IIscm3, IIIspm2 and IIIscm3 muscles, were identified. In contrast, no characters supporting Psocodea + Holometabola were recovered from the thoracic muscles. These results provide additional support for the monophyly of Paraneoptera, together with the previously detected morphological apomorphies of the head, wing base, and abdomen.

A new genus and species of Perlodinae (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) from Korea.

Habaek koreanus gen. n., sp. n., a remarkable new Perlodinae is described from adults of both sexes, collected by Malaise traps in South Korea. On the basis of male characters, it is assigned to the tribe Perlodini, but its tribal classification needs to be clarified by characters of the larva and matured eggs. Affinities of the new genus are discussed, and a key is presented for the males of the Perlodini genera.

Two new species of the genus Rhopalopsole (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) from China.

Two new species of the genus Rhopalopsole (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) are described from China: Rhopalopsole liui Chen, Wang Li, sp. nov. from from Municipality of Chongqing (former Sichuan Province) and Rhopalopsole yadonga Chen, Wang Li, sp. nov. from from the Tibet Autonomous Region. The new species are compared to similar congeners in the R. shaanxiensis and R. magnicerca groups, respectively.

New snakeflies of the genus Mongoloraphidia H. Aspck amp; U. Aspck, 1968 (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae) from Xinjiang, China.

The raphidiopteran fauna of Xinjiang in northwestern China is poorly known, although it is near Central Asia where the diversity of this group is high. Herein we report a new species and a new Chinese record of the raphidiid genus Mongoloraphidia H. Aspck U. Aspck, 1968 from Xinjiang, namely Mongoloraphidia xinjiangana sp. nov. and Mongoloraphidia (Mongoloraphidia) kaszabi (H. Aspck U. Aspck, 1967), respectively. A key to the identification of the Mongoloraphidia species from China is provided.

Two new species of Oxyethira Eaton 1873 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Roraima state, Brazil.

Two new species of Oxyethira from Brazil are described: Oxyethira (Dampfitrichia) jiquitaia sp. nov., and Oxyethira (Tanytrichia) librina sp. nov. Illustrations of male genitalia are provided with each description. These results increase the number of Oxyethira species in Brazil from 37 to 39.

Two new synonyms of Rhopalopsole basinigra Yang & Yang, 1995 (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) with taxonomic notes on Rhopalopsole tianmuana Sivec & Harper, 2008.

We present detailed evidence that Rhopalopsole trichotoma Yang & Du, 2021 and R. wulingensis Sivec & Shimizu, 2008, are junior synonyms of R. basinigra Yang & Yang, 1995 via a comparative morphological evaluation. We also present a comparison for R. basiningra from Guizhou Province, southwestern China, to understand the reliable characters of this species. New color images of male characters of R. tianmuana with some variations are provided.

Review and contribution to the stonefly (Insecta: Plecoptera) fauna of Azerbaijan.

Known Plecoptera data published from Azerbaijan are critically reviewed. New records of 28 species are enumerated on the basis of specimens collected between 2017 and 2019, among them 16 are new for the fauna of Azerbaijan. Nemoura irani Aubert, 1964 is new for the whole Caucasian region, Leuctra sanainica Zhiltzova, 1960 and Plesioperla sakartvella (Zhiltzova, 1956) are new for the Greater Caucasus. The female and larva of an unknown Protonemura Kempny, 1898 species, collected in the Talysh Mts, are illustrated and described under temporary name Protonemura sp. AZE-1. A new species of Protonemura, collected both in the Azerbaijan and Georgian areas of the Greater Caucasus, will be formally described in a further paper. A male Protonemura specimen was found to be infected by mermithid worms, morphological lesions are illustrated and commented; this is the second documented case of mermithid infection in stoneflies. Subspecies level identity of Azerbaijani populations of Leuctra fusca (Linnaeus, 1758) proved to be problematic, morphological characters of the specimens are illustrated. Synonymy of Isoperla caucasica Balinsky, 1950 and I. pulchra Balinsky, 1950 under I. bithynica (Kempny, 1908) is disputed, the two names are combined under I. grammatica (Poda, 1761) sensu lato.

Two new species of Protonemura Kempny, 1898 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from the Italian Alps.

Two new species of Protonemura Kempny, 1898, P. bispina sp. n. and P. pennina sp. n., from the Eastern and Western Italian Alps, respectively, are described and illustrated. Further information on distribution and ecological preferences of these new species is provided. The species Protonemura auberti Illies, 1954 is re-described from topotypical material.

Two new species of Amphinemura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from Taiwan Province on the southeast coast of China.

Two new species of Amphinemura were described and illustrated from Taiwan Province of China: Amphinemura reni Du Zhao, sp. nov. and Amphinemura triquetra Zhao Du, sp. nov. The morphological characteristics of the new species were compared to related taxa. Additionally, a key to the adult males of Amphinemura known from Taiwan Province of China was given in this paper.

A new species of Loneura Navás and taxonomic update of L. boliviana Williner and L. meridionalis García Aldrete (Psocodea: Psocomorpha: Ptiloneuridae).

A new species of Loneura named as Loneura willineri n. sp. is described from Bolivia, and and variation in the venation of the fore and hindwings discussed. Both sexes of Loneura meridionalis García Aldrete are described, inclulding variation in the fore and hindwing venation, and this species is withdrawn from synonymy with Loneura boliviana, a species now considered a nomen dubium.

A new species of Amphinemura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from Vietnam, with additions to A. bimaculata Li, Wang and Yang, 2016.

A new species of the Amphinemurinae genus Amphinemura, A. similibimaculata sp. nov. is described from central Vietnam. The new species is compared with related congeneric Amphinemura bimaculata Li, Wang and Yang, 2016. Taxonomic notes on A. bimaculata are also presented.

emEminepygia/em emmyanmarensis/em sp. nov., a new Earwig (Dermaptera) Nymph in Burmese Amber.

A new fossil earwig nymph, Eminepygia myanmarensis gen. et sp. nov. (Pygidicranidae), from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar, is described and figured. Eminepygia myanmarensis gen. et sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from all other extinct and recent members of Dermaptera by the prominent bulges on the last three terga. Our new finding sheds further light on the diversity and morphological disparity of fossil dermapterans during the Late Mesozoic.

emTimnewia/em García Aldrete (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Ptiloneuridae): new species and variation in the wing venation of emT. jeaneae/em Silva-Neto, García Aldrete amp; Rafael.

A new species of Timnewia from the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is here described, illustrated and named as: Timnewia amazonense n. sp. This new species differs from T. greeni and T. jeaneae in details of the hypandrium and phallosome. New observations on variation in the forewing venation of T. jeaneae are also presented.

A new species of Neoperla/ (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Motuo County of Tibet, China and redescription of Neoperla perspicillata/ Zwick, 1980.

A new species of the stonefly genus Neoperla, N. bimaculata sp. nov. is described from Motuo County of Tibet of southwest China. The new species compared with related congeners. Based on strongly pigmented specimens, we redescribe the male adult of Neoperla perspicillata Zwick, 1980.

Perlidae (Plecoptera) from the Paranapiacaba Mountains, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Diversity and implications of the integrative approach and teneral specimens on taxonomy.

The study of complementary sources of biological variation (e.g. morphological, molecular) has allowed a better understanding of biodiversity through the construction of an integrative taxonomy. Using this approach, specimens from the Paranapiacaba Mountains, southeastern Brazil, were studied to update the knowledge on the stonefly family Perlidae from the region, characterize the species, and make associations between nymphs and adults using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The study also discusses the implications of integrative taxonomy and teneral specimens for the study of South American Perlidae. The molecular data were analyzed using Bayesian inference, Neighbor-joining, and delimiting species methods. Our results revealed that, in general, there was a morphological and molecular congruence between species. In the Paranapiacaba Mountains, three genera and 15 species were recorded: Anacroneuria boraceiensis Froehlich 2004, A. debilis (Pictet 1841) (new record), A. fiorentini De Ribeiro and Froehlich 2007 (new record), A. flintorum Froehlich 2002, A. iporanga Bispo and Froehlich 2004, A. itajaimirim Bispo and Froehlich 2004, A. polita (Burmeister 1913), A. subcostalis Klapálek 1921, A. tupi Bispo and Froehlich 2004 (with a description of the nymph), Kempnyia auberti Froehlich 1996, K. colossica (Navás 1934), K. flava Klapálek 1916, K. neotropica (Jacobson and Bianchi 1905) (including its new junior synonym K. petersorum Froehlich 1996), Kempnyia sp., and Macrogynoplax veneranda Froehlich 1984. COI sequences were obtained for 11 species, five of which had nymphs associated with adults. Among the five associated nymphs, the nymph of A. tupi is described here. The results of this study indicate that the color of adult teneral specimens differs from that of mature specimens. Given this, the synonym of K. neotropica and K. petersorum was proposed since these species have high morphological and molecular similarities and differ only in color patterns. In addition, the previous record of A. petersi Froehlich 2002 from the Paranapiacaba Mountains was invalidated since it was considered a teneral specimen of A. flintorum. These results suggest that the development of an integrative taxonomy is essential to continue advancing the study of Perlidae diversity in South America.

The dynamic eggs of the Phasmatodea and their apparent convergence with plants.

The egg stages of animal life cycles are underappreciated in terms of their capacity for dispersal, protection, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Some of the most intriguing egg morphologies are seen in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). Phasmids are charismatic insects, particularly due to their incredible camouflage, though a lesser-known fact is that their eggs are incredibly diverse in shape and structure, reflecting varying ecological niches. Perhaps most remarkable are those eggs which appear to resemble plant seeds in both their appearance and means of dispersal, such as via water and animal vectors. Numerous hypotheses surrounding the function of these egg morphologies and their apparent convergence with seeds have been proposed; however, empirical evidence remains lacking. Here, we present an initial synthesis of available evidence surrounding the ecology and dispersal strategies of phasmid eggs and weigh up the evidence for convergent evolution between phasmid eggs and seeds. In doing so, we highlight areas where further research is needed and discuss how the ecology of phasmid eggs may interplay with other aspects of phasmid ecology, distribution, and evolution.

Phasmatodea (Arthropoda, Insecta) in Brazil: Status, New Record, and Proposal for Using Molecular Tools to Assist in Species Identification.

Phasmatodea (Arthropoda, Insecta) comprises phytophagous insects, popularly known as stick bugs because most of them resemble dry branches. Currently, more than 3000 species are known, the majority of which can be found in tropical regions of the world. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 200 species, but these numbers may not truly reflect the group's richness. A high degree of intraspecific polymorphism, a low number of specimens sampled, a shortage of specialized literature, and having only a small number of experts have amplified the difficulties in studying this order. Therefore, this study aims to present a historical survey of the Phasmatodea studies that have been conducted in Brazil thus far, indicating gaps in knowledge and discussing perspectives to expand understanding within this group. Furthermore, to the best our knowledge, the molecular characterization of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of mitochondrial DNA of two species of phasmids found in Brazil, Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835, and Pseudophasma missionum Piza, 1981, is presented for the first time. In addition, this study records for the first time the occurrence of P. missionum in Brazilian territory.

Comparative analysis of five mitogenomes of Osmylinae (Neuroptera: Osmylidae) and their phylogenetic implications.

In this study, five mitogenomes of Osmylinae species were sequenced: Osmylus fulvicephalus, Osmylus lucalatus, Plethosmylus atomatus, Plethosmylus zheanus, and Plethosmylus sp. These mitogenomes vary from 15,401 bp to 17,136 bp in size. The nucleotide compositions of Osmylinae mitogenomes are biased towards A/T. The gene arrangement of five mitogenomes is congruent with the putative ancestral pattern of the insects. Most of PCGs initiate with typical start codon ATN and terminate with TAA as the stop codon. All tRNA genes are folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure with an exception of tRNASer(AGN). The phylogenetic relationship was reconstructed by both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods based on 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes. The sister group relationships between Osmylinae and the clade of Spilosmylinae and Protosmylinae were recovered as expected. The monophyly of Osmylinae was corroborated, but within the subfamily, three species (P. atomatus, P. zheanus, and Plethosmylus sp.) originally belonging to Plethosmylus (transferred to Osmylus by Winterton) were restored as a clade and sister to the clade of Osmylus. The current results implied that it is necessary to reassess the systematic status of Plethosmylus in the future.

A New Species of Moth Lacewing from the Mesoamerican Genus Adamsiana Penny 1996 (Neuroptera: Ithonidae).

The poorly studied Mesoamerican genus Adamsiana Penny, 1996 (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) was considered monotypic for more than 20 years, containing only Adamsiana curoei Penny. However, a second species was recently discovered in the southern region of Guatemala and is described here as Adamsiana alux Ardila-Camacho, Castillo-Argaez & Martinez, sp. nov. A key to the Adamsiana species and a list of the extant New World Ithonidae species are provided. This work emphasizes the necessity for more studies about not only Ithonidae but also all entomological fauna in the Neotropics.

Evolution of Neuropeptide Precursors in Polyneoptera (Insecta).

Neuropeptides are among the structurally most diverse signaling molecules and participate in intercellular information transfer from neurotransmission to intrinsic or extrinsic neuromodulation. Many of the peptidergic systems have a very ancient origin that can be traced back to the early evolution of the Metazoa. In recent years, new insights into the evolution of these peptidergic systems resulted from the increasing availability of genome and transcriptome data which facilitated the investigation of the complete neuropeptide precursor sequences. Here we used a comprehensive transcriptome dataset of about 200 species from the 1KITE initiative to study the evolution of single-copy neuropeptide precursors in Polyneoptera. This group comprises well-known orders such as cockroaches, termites, locusts, and stick insects. Due to their phylogenetic position within the insects and the large number of old lineages, these insects are ideal candidates for studying the evolution of insect neuropeptides and their precursors. Our analyses include the orthologs of 21 single-copy neuropeptide precursors, namely ACP, allatotropin, AST-CC, AST-CCC, CCAP, CCHamide-1 and 2, CNMamide, corazonin, CRF-DH, CT-DH, elevenin, HanSolin, NPF-1 and 2, MS, proctolin, RFLamide, SIFamide, sNPF, and trissin. Based on the sequences obtained, the degree of sequence conservation between and within the different polyneopteran lineages is discussed. Furthermore, the data are used to postulate the individual neuropeptide sequences that were present at the time of the insect emergence more than 400 million years ago. The data confirm that the extent of sequence conservation across Polyneoptera is remarkably different between the different neuropeptides. Furthermore, the average evolutionary distance for the single-copy neuropeptides differs significantly between the polyneopteran orders. Nonetheless, the single-copy neuropeptide precursors of the Polyneoptera show a relatively high degree of sequence conservation. Basic features of these precursors in this very heterogeneous insect group are explained here in detail for the first time.