Rosaceae, Brassicaceae and pollen beetles: exploring relationships and evolution in an anthophilous beetle lineage (Nitidulidae, Meligethes-complex of genera) using an integrative approach.

BACKGROUND: Meligethes are pollen-beetles associated with flowers of Rosaceae as larvae. This genus currently consists of 63 known species in two subgenera, Meligethes and Odonthogethes, predominantly occurring in the eastern Palaearctic. We analyzed 74 morphological and ecological characters (169 states) of all species, as well as of 11 outgroup species from 7 Meligethinae genera (including Brassicogethes), to investigate their phylogeny. We also conducted a parallel molecular analysis on 9 Meligethes, 9 Odonthogethes, 3 Brassicogethes and 2 Meligethinus species based on DNA sequence data from mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (CAD) genes. RESULTS: Morphological phylogenetic reconstructions supported the monophyly of the whole genus and clades corresponding to purported subgenera Meligethes s.str. and Odonthogethes. Main species-groups were mostly confirmed, however some unresolved polytomies remained. Molecular data placed members of Brassicogethes (including 42 mostly W Palearctic species associated with Brassicaceae) as sister to Odonthogethes, with this clade being sister to Meligethes s.str. This phylogenetic scenario suggests that monophyletic Meligethes s.str., Odonthogethes and Brassicogethes should be regarded alternatively as three subgenera of a monophyletic Meligethes, or three genera in a monophyletic genus-complex, with mutually monophyletic Brassicogethes and Odonthogethes. Molecular analyses estimated the origin of this lineage at ca. 14-15 Mya from a common stem including Meligethinus. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that the ancestor of Meligethes specialized on Rosaceae in the Middle Miocene (likely in Langhian Age) and subsequently radiated during Late Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene maintaining a trophic niche on this plant family. This radiation was primarily due to geographic isolation in E Asiatic mountain systems. Combined evidence from morphology, ancestral state parsimony reconstruction of host-plant associations and molecular evidence suggested that Rosoideae (Rosa spp.) represented the ancestral hosts of Meligethes s.str., followed by an independent shift of ancestral Odonthogethes (ca. 9-15 Mya) on Rubus (Rosoideae) and members of Rosaceae Spiraeoideae. Other ancestral Odonthogethes probably shifted again on the unrelated plant family Brassicaceae (maybe 8-14 Mya in S China), allowing a rapid westward radiation of the Brassicogethes clade.

A synoptic review of Caryophyllaeus Gmelin, 1790 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), parasites of cyprinid fishes.

Tapeworms of the genus Caryophyllaeus Gmelin, 1790 (Caryophyllidea: Caryophyllaeidae), common parasites of cyprinid fishes, are reviewed and taxonomic status of 42 nominal taxa that have been placed in the genus during its long history is clarified. The following seven species occurring in the Palaearctic Region are recognised as valid: C. laticeps (Pallas, 1781), C. auriculatus (Kulakovskaya, 1961), C. balticus (Szidat, 1941) comb. n. (syn. Khawia baltica Szidat, 1941), C. brachycollis Janiszewska, 1953, C. fimbriceps Annenkova-Chlopina, 1919, C. syrdarjensis Skrjabin, 1913, and newly described Caryophyllaeus chondrostomi sp. n. (= C. laticeps morphotype 4 of Bazsalovicsová et al., 2014) from common nase, Chondrostoma nasus (Linnaeus), found in Austria and Slovakia. The new species differs by the paramuscular or cortical position of preovarian vitelline follicles, a large, robust body (up to 64 mm long), conspicuously long vas deferens, flabellate scolex with small wrinkles on the anterior margin, and anteriormost testes located in a relatively short distance from the anterior extremity. Caryophyllaeus kashmirenses Mehra, 1930 and Caryophyllaeus prussicus (Szidat, 1937) comb. n. are considered to be species inquirendae, C. truncatus von Siebold in Baird, 1853 and C. tuba von Siebold in Baird, 1853 are nomina nuda. Data on the morphology, host spectra, distribution and known life-cycles of valid species are provided. Phylogenetic interrelations of four species of the genus including its type species and newly described C. chondrostomi were assessed based on an analysis of sequences of lsrDNA and cox1. A key to identification of all valid species of Caryophyllaeus is also provided.

Small intestinal flukes of the genus Metagonimus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Europe and the Middle East: A review of parasites with zoonotic potential.

The heterophyid trematode Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) is redescribed on the basis of type material from domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Romania, vouchers from experimentally infected cats (Felis catus) and adults recovered from golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with metacercariae from scales of chub (Squalius cephalus) and common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) in Hungary. This trematode, endemic to Europe and neighbouring regions (northwestern Türkiye), was previously misidentified as M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), a zoonotic parasite of humans in East Asia. However, the two species differ considerably both genetically and morphologically, e.g., in the position of the ventral sucker, the presence of the prepharynx, the anterior extent of the vitelline follicles and the posterior extent of the uterus. Metagonimus ciureanus (Witenberg, 1929) (syn. Dexiogonimus ciureanus Witenberg, 1929), described from domestic cats and dogs in Israel, is a valid species distributed in the Middle East and Transcaucasia, which is also confirmed by molecular data. It differs from all Metagonimus species, including M. romanicus, in having symmetrical testes instead of the oblique testes of the other congeners. The zoonotic significance of M. romanicus and M. ciureanus is unclear, but appears to be low in Europe, mainly because raw or undercooked, whole fish with scales are generally not consumed. Accidental infection of fishermen by metacercariae in the scales when cleaning fish is more likely, but has never been reported. Remains of cyprinoids with scales infected with metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. can be an important natural source of infection for dogs, cats, and other carnivores, which can serve as a reservoir for these parasites.

Title: Petits trématodes intestinaux du genre Metagonimus (Digenea : Heterophyidae) en Europe et au Moyen-Orient : revue de parasites à potentiel zoonotique. Abstract: Le trématode Heterophyidae Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) est redécrit sur la base de matériel type provenant de chiens domestiques (Canis familiaris) en Roumanie, de vouchers issus de chats (Felis catus) infectés expérimentalement et d'adultes collectés chez des hamsters dorés (Mesocricetus auratus) infectés par des métacercaires provenant d'écailles de chevesne commun (Squalius cephalus) et de nase commun (Chondrostoma nasus) (Cypriniformes : Leuciscidae) de Hongrie. Ce trématode, endémique d'Europe et des régions voisines (nord-ouest de la Turquie), avait été précédemment identifié à tort comme étant M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), un parasite zoonotique des humains en Asie de l'Est. Cependant, les deux espèces diffèrent considérablement sur le plan génétique et morphologique, par exemple par la position de la ventouse ventrale, la présence du prépharynx, l'étendue antérieure des follicules vitellins et l'étendue postérieure de l'utérus. Metagonimus ciureanus (Witenberg, 1929) (syn. Dexiogonimus ciureanus Witenberg, 1929), décrite chez des chats et des chiens domestiques en Israël, est une espèce valide répartie au Moyen-Orient et en Transcaucasie, ce qui est également confirmé par des données moléculaires. Cette espèce diffère de toutes les espèces de Metagonimus, y compris M. romanicus, par ses testicules symétriques au lieu des testicules obliques des autres congénères. L'importance zoonotique de M. romanicus et M. ciureanus n'est pas claire, mais semble faible en Europe, principalement parce que les poissons n'y sont généralement pas consommés crus ou insuffisamment cuits et entiers avec les écailles. L'infection accidentelle des pêcheurs par des métacercaires présents dans les écailles lors du nettoyage du poisson est plus probable mais n'a jamais été signalée. Les restes de poissons cyprinoïdes avec les écailles, infectés par des métacercaires de Metagonimus spp. peuvent être une source naturelle importante d'infection pour les chiens, les chats et autres carnivores, qui peuvent servir de réservoir à ces parasites.

The genus Epeolus Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Central Asia.

Available information about bees of the genus Epeolus in Central Asia is summarized. Twenty species are currently known from this area. Two new species are described: E.albus Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov. and E.pesenkoi Astafurova, sp. nov. Two species are newly recorded from Central Asia: E.asiaticus Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2022 and E.nudiventris Bischoff, 1930. The hitherto unknown male of E.mikhailovi Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2021 is described, and lectotypes are designated for E.ruficornis Morawitz, 1875 and E.vinogradovi Popov, 1952.

Revision of the family Haliplidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) in Japan.

The Japanese members of Haliplidae were reviewed and 13 species in two genera are recognized. A new species, Haliplusmoriisp. nov. is described from Honshu; it is similar to Haliplusjaponicus Sharp, 1873, but belongs to a different subgenus. Haliplusdiruptus J. Balfour-Browne, 1946, syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of Halipluskotoshonis Kano & Kamiya, 1931. The records of Haliplusdavidi Vondel, 1991 from Japan are regarded as misidentifications of H.kotoshonis. Haliplusbasinotatuslatiusculus Nakane, 1985, syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of H.basinotatus. Haliplusangustifrons Régimbart, 1892 known from south and southeast Asia, is newly recorded from Japan.

Taxonomic study of the genus Kuvera Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae) with descriptions of two new species from China.

Two new species of genus Kuvera Distant, 1906, Kuveracampylotropa Zhi & Chen, sp. nov. and K.elongata Zhi & Chen, sp. nov., and a new Chinese record, K.basarukini Emeljanov, 1998, are described and illustrated from China. The females of two other species of Kuvera, K.laticeps (Metcalf, 1936) and K.ussuriensis (Vilbaste, 1968), are described for the first time. An updated identification key to Chinese species of Kuvera is given.

Foraging Behavior of Two Pollen Wasp Species of the Genus Celonites Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae), from the Altai Mountains.

Celonites kozlovi Kostylev, 1935, and C. sibiricus Gusenleitner, 2007, coexist in semi-deserts of the Altai Mountains. The trophic relationships of these pollen wasp species to flowers are largely unknown. We observed the flower visits and behaviors of wasps on flowers; pollen-collecting structures of females were studied using SEM; the taxonomic position of these two species was ascertained with the barcoding sequence of the mitochondrial COI-5P gene. Celonites kozlovi and C. sibiricus form a clade together with C. hellenicus Gusenleitner, 1997, and C. iranus Gusenleitner, 2018, within the subgenus Eucelonites Richards, 1962. Celonites kozlovi is polylectic in the narrow sense, collecting pollen from flowers of plants belonging to five families (with the predomination of Asteraceae and Lamiaceae) using diverse methods for both pollen and nectar uptake. In addition, this species is a secondary nectar robber, which has not been observed in pollen wasps before. The generalistic foraging strategy of C. kozlovi is correlated with an unspecialized pollen-collecting apparatus on the fore-tarsi. In contrast, C. sibiricus is broadly oligolectic, predominantly collecting pollen from flowers of Lamiaceae. Its specialized foraging strategy is associated with apomorphic behavioral and morphological traits, particularly specialized pollen-collecting setae on the frons, which enable indirect pollen uptake using nototribic anthers. These adaptations in C. sibiricus evolved independently of similar specializations in the Celonites abbreviatus-complex. Celonites kozlovi is re-described, and males are described for the first time.

Original descriptions of Palaearctic species of the genus Plateumaris C. G. Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae) and their translations.

Many original descriptions of beetles were published in Latin with specific idioms and technical terms, which are sometimes difficult to understand. The exact meaning of these descriptions is necessary for taxonomic and systematic research. Of the ten Palaearctic Plateumaris species regarded as valid three were described in English, the remaining seven in Latin, French, or German: P.amurensis Weise, 1898, P.bracata (Scopoli, 1772), P.consimilis (Schrank, 1781), P.roscida Weise, 1912, P.rustica (Kunze, 1818), P.sericea (Linnaeus, 1758), and P.weisei (Duvivier, 1885). These seven non-English original descriptions and their translations into English are presented here. Additionally, the translations of the first descriptions of the genus Plateumaris and of its 19 synonyms (some were described in Russian, also) are given.

The first record of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) in Republic of Korea and description of a new species on a captive giant African millipede (Spirostreptidae, Archispirostreptus).

This paper reports on a new species of mite of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese in Republic of Korea. Females and males of a new species, Julolaelapsgigassp. nov., were collected on a captive giant African millipede, Archispirostreptusgigas (Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae). The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult females and males and compared with known congeners. This new species is the first record of Julolaelaps from Republic of Korea. In addition, an updated key to all known species of the genus is presented.

The bees of the genus Andrena Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) described by Ferdinand Morawitz from the collection of Aleksey Fedtschenko.

The type specimens of the genus Andrena Fabricius, 1775, described by Ferdinand Morawitz from the collection of Aleksey Fedtschenko deposited in the Zoological Museum of the Moscow State University and in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg (Russia), are critically reviewed. Precise information with illustrations of types for 52 taxa is provided; of these 39 species are valid and thirteen are invalid (ten synonyms and three homonyms). Lectotypes are here designated for the following 24 nominal taxa: Andrenaacutilabris Morawitz, 1876, A.aulica Morawitz, 1876, A.bicarinata Morawitz, 1876, A.combusta Morawitz, 1876, A.comparata Morawitz, 1876, A.corallina Morawitz, 1876, A.discophora Morawitz, 1876, A.fedtschenkoi Morawitz, 1876, A.initialis Morawitz, 1876, A.laeviventris Morawitz, 1876, A.leucorhina Morawitz, 1876, A.mucorea Morawitz, 1876, A.nitidicollis Morawitz, 1876, A.oralis Morawitz, 1876, A.planirostris Morawitz, 1876, A.ravicollis Morawitz, 1876, A.rufilabris Morawitz, 1876, A.sarta Morawitz, 1876, A.smaragdina Morawitz, 1876, A.sogdiana Morawitz, 1876, A.subaenescens Morawitz, 1876, A.tuberculiventris Morawitz, 1876, A.turkestanica Morawitz, 1876, and A.virescens Morawitz, 1876.

New species and new records of the genus Filatima Busck, 1939 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from Central Asia.

Four new species of Filatima Busck, 1939 are described from Central Asia: Filatimaarmata sp. nov. (Iran), F.subarmata sp. nov. (Pakistan, Iran), F.afghana sp. nov. (Afghanistan), and F.karii sp. nov. (Tajikistan). The hitherto unknown female of Filatimamulticornuta Bidzilya & Nupponen, 2018 is described. Recorded to occur for the first time are Filatimatextorella (Chrétien, 1908) from North Macedonia and Turkey, F.pallipalpella (Snellen, 1884) from Kyrgyzstan, and Filatimazagulajevi Anikin & Piskunov, 1996 from Kazakhstan. Filatimafontisella Lvovsky & Piskunov, 1989 is removed from the list of Russian Gelechiidae due to re-identification of the only record as F.multicornuta. An annotated checklist of Palaearctic Filatima species is provided.

Two New Species and a New Combination of the Subfamily Erythraeinae Based on Larval Stage (Acari: Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) from China.

The species Eatoniana yangshuonicus (Haitlinger) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Erythraeus to Eatoniana based on the basifemoral setal formula 2-2-1. Two new species, Eatoniana nanlingensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. and Erythraeus (Erythraeus) kunyuensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae. Eatoniana nanlingensis sp. nov. from the Oriental region (Guangdong Province), Er. (Er.) kunyuensis sp. nov. from the Palaearctic region (Shandong Province). An updated key to larval species of the genus Eatoniana of the world is presented.

Past, present and future distribution of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti: The European paradox.

The global distribution of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is the subject of considerable attention because of its pivotal role as a biological vector of several high profile disease pathogens including dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. There is also a lot of interest in the projected future species' distribution. However, less effort has been focused on its historical distribution, which has changed substantially over the past 100 years, especially in southern Europe where it was once widespread, but largely disappeared by the middle of the 20th century. The present work utilises all available historical records of the distribution of Ae. aegypti in southern Europe, the Near East within the Mediterranean Basin and North Africa from the late 19th century until the 1960's to construct a spatial distribution model using matching historical climatic and demographic data. The resulting model was then implemented using current climate and demographic data to assess the potential distribution of the vector in the present. The models were rerun with several different assumptions about the thresholds that determine habitat suitability for Ae. aegypti. The historical model matches the historical distributions well. When it is run with current climate values, the predicted present day distribution is somewhat broader than it used to be particularly in north-west France, North Africa and Turkey. Though it is beginning to reappear in the eastern Caucasus, this 'potential' distribution clearly does not match the actual distribution of the species, which suggests some other factors are responsible for its absence. Future distributions based on the historical model also do not match future distributions derived from models based only on present day vector distributions, which predict little or no presence in the Mediterranean Region. At the same time, the vector is widespread in the USA which is predicted to consolidate its range there in future. This contradiction and the implication for possible re-invasion of Europe are discussed.

Co-Occurrence of Francisella, Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, and Midichloria in Avian-Associated Hyalomma rufipes.

The migratory behavior of wild birds contributes to the geographical spread of ticks and their microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dispersal and co-occurrence of Francisella and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in ticks infesting birds migrating northward in the African-Western Palaearctic region (AWPR). Birds were trapped with mist nests across the Mediterranean basin during the 2014 and 2015 spring migration. In total, 575 ticks were collected from 244 birds. We screened the ticks for the species Francisella tularensis, the genus Francisella, and SFGR by microfluidic real-time PCR. Confirmatory analyses and metagenomic sequencing were performed on tick samples that putatively tested positive for F. tularensis during initial screenings. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species and had a high prevalence of Francisella, including co-occurrence of Francisella and SFGR. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from two H. rufipes confirmed the presence of Francisella, Rickettsia, and Midichloria. Average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic inference indicated the highest identity of the metagenome-assembled genomes to a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE), Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of this study suggest that (i) FLE- and SFGR-containing ticks are dispersed by northbound migratory birds in the AWPR, (ii) H. rufipes likely is not involved in transmission of F. tularensis in the AWPR, and (iii) a dual endosymbiosis of FLEs and Midichloria may support some of the nutritional requirements of H. rufipes.

Additions to the cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) of Mongolia, with description of eleven new species.

An addendum to the recent checklist of the Chrysididae from Mongolia is given. Examination of old museum material and recently collected specimens has led to the discovery of eight new records for the country and eleven new species for science. Eight species are newly recorded from Mongolia: Chrysisinclinata Linsenmaier, 1959, C.martinella du Buysson, 1900, C.speciosa Radoszkowski, 1877, Euchroeuspurpuratus (Fabricius, 1787), Holopygalucida (Lepeletier, 1806), H.similis Mocsáry, 1889, Hedychridiumfemoratum (Dahlbom, 1854) and H.leleji Rosa, 2017. Two species, Hedychridiumcupreum (Dahlbom, 1845) and H.propodeale Rosa, 2017 are excluded from the checklist of Mongolian Chrysididae: the former is described here as H.erythrosoma sp. nov., the latter is identified as H.leleji Rosa, 2017. The hitherto unknown male of Chrysismocsaryi Radoszkowski, 1889 is described and illustrated. Eleven new species are described: Chrysisstrakai sp. nov., C.woodi sp. nov., Hedychridiumerythrosoma sp. nov., H.frontale sp. nov., H.jacobsi sp. nov., H.splendens sp. nov., H.striatum sp. nov., H.varvarae sp. nov., H.weii sp. nov., Holopygatyrneri sp. nov., and Philoctetesboreki sp. nov. Keys to males and females of all known Mongolian species of Hedychridium Abeille de Perrin, 1878 are provided. The Mongolian cuckoo wasp fauna now comprises 107 species in 18 genera and two subfamilies.

Census of the longhorn beetles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae and Vesperidae) of the Macau SAR, China.

An intensive census, extended over a period of approximately three and a half years, October 2017- May 2021, was conducted in the remaining green areas of the Macau SAR in order to provide an updated status of the biodiversity of longhorn beetles in this region. This insect group includes more than 36,000 species worldwide, subdivided into four families of mainly xylophagous or saproxylic insects, the Vesperidae, Oxypeltidae, Disteniidae, and Cerambycidae. They are of key importance in agricultural and forestry science, and are often used as an indicator of forest habitat health. A total of 52 species was recorded during this census, 2.6 times more than previously reported in the literature for this area. However, recorded abundances and frequency of occurrence for the various species were remarkably low, and of the 20 species previously reported for the region, some prominent ones remained unaccounted for. Among others, these include Batocera horsfieldii (Hope, 1839), Apriona rugicollis Chevrolat, 1852 [previously incorrectly reported as Apriona germarii (Hope, 1831)], Aristobia reticulator (Fabricius, 1781) [previously reported as Aristobia testudo (Voet, 1778)] and Imantocera penicillata (Hope, 1831). It is hypothesised that this may be related to the ongoing manipulation of the natural vegetation of the Macau SAR, which is rapidly being converted to plantations, city parks, and gardens. In particular, dead or dying trees and lower tree branches are systematically removed in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of these green areas. However, this process is also depriving xylophagous and saproxylic species of their essential habitats.

Gelechiaomelkoi sp. nov. - a new species from the Russian Altai Mountains related to the Nearctic Gelechiamandella Busck, 1904 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), with a synopsis of Gelechia from the Altai Republic of Russia.

Gelechiaomelkoi sp. nov. is described from the Ukok plateau and South Chuisky ridge in the Altai Mountains of Russia. The adult of the new species, including its male genitalia, is illustrated and compared with species most similar in morphology and DNA barcodes-G.sororculella (Hübner, 1817) and G.jakovlevi Krulikovsky, 1905 from the Palaearctic region, as well as G.mandella Busck, 1904 from Canada. This last species is redescribed based on adult specimens, including the genitalia of both sexes, and a lectotype is designated. Gelechiasirotina Omelko, 1986 is recorded from the Altai Republic for the first time. An updated list of six species of Gelechia from the Altai Mountains of Russia is given. Dorsal habitus photographs of all species are provided. The male genitalia of the lectotype of G.jakovlevi is illustrated for the first time.

New and little-known digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae) from Russia.

New additions to the knowledge of digger wasps (Ampulicidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae) in Russia are provided. Tachysphex loktionovi Mokrousov Proshchalykin, sp. nov. is described from Tyva Republic. Five species of digger wasps are reported from Russia for the first time: Hoplammophila clypeata (Mocsáry, 1883) (Sphecidae), Tachysphex desertorum F. Morawitz, 1894, T. mongolicus Kohl, 1898, Tachytes argenteus Gussakovskij, 1933, and Trypoxylon albipes F. Smith, 1856 (Crabronidae). Misidentified Tachysphex speciosissimus Morice, 1897 (=T. gussakovskii Pulawski, 1971) is excluded from the fauna of Russia. Hitherto unknown male of Tachysphex mongolicus Kohl, 1898, stat. resurr. is described and regarded as a valid taxon. New synonymy is proposed for T. mongolicus Kohl, 1898 = T. abditus Kohl, 1898, syn. nov. Diagnosis for male of Dolichurus haemorrhous A. Costa, 1886 is updated. New regional records for seven species are recorded. The known fauna of Russia currently numbers three families, 87 genera and 694 species of digger wasps. In addition Tachytes argenteus Gussakovskij, 1933 is reported for the first time from Uzbekistan and Cyprus, and Trypoxylon beaumonti Antropov, 1991 is newly recorded from Ukraine.

Notes on the taxonomy of Palaearctic Asclerobia/ Roesler, 1969 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) with description of a new species.

Three Asclerobia species from the Palaearctic region are reviewed and diagnosed. A new species-Asclerobia alexandrae sp. nov. from Tyva region of Russia is described. The lectotype of Sclerobia tchahabarella Amsel, 1950 is designated, and the new combination-Asclerobia tchahabarella (Amsel, 1950) comb. nov. is proposed. A key to the species is given based on the combination of external and genitalia characters of both sexes.

Review of Eotrogaspidia Lelej (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae: Trogaspidiini).

Ten species of Eotrogaspidia Lelej, 1996, two related species of Trogaspidia Ashmead, 1899 and one related species of Vanhartenidia Lelej in Lelej van Harten, 2006 are revised. Before this study, Eotrogaspidia included the following four species: E. amans (André, 1909) (♂♀), E. auroguttata (Smith, 1855) (♂♀), E. ekka (Nurse, 1902) (♀) and E. oryzae (Pagden, 1934) (♂♀). In the present paper, four new species are described: E. adhabar sp. nov. (♂) (India, Nepal), E. buddha sp. nov. (♂♀) (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), E. hauseri sp. nov. (♂) (India, Nepal) and E. melanopleura sp. nov. (♀) (China). Three species are transferred to Eotrogaspidia from Trogaspidia: E. lena (Cameron, 1899), comb. nov. (♂), E. rubripes (André, 1901), comb. nov. (♀) and E. saussurei (Lelej, 2005), comb. nov. (♂♀). Mutilla ekka Nurse, 1902 from India is transferred from Eotrogaspidia to Vanhartenidia ekka, comb. nov. The male of E. saussurei is described. New synonymies are proposed for E. auroguttata (= T. vallicola Tsuneki, 1993, syn. nov.) and Trogaspidia mackieae (Cockerell, 1928) (= T. pacifica Tsuneki, 1972, syn. nov.). Eight new country records are presented: one from China, two from Laos, one from Vietnam, two from India, one from Iran, and one from Afghanistan. Female specimens of E. buddha sp. nov. were formerly misidentified as T. acidalia (Cameron, 1897), stat. resurr. by the late B. Petersen. The lectotype of T. acidalia is designated and illustrated to clarify its identity. Diagnoses and illustrations for reviewed species and a key to all known Eotrogaspidia species and related genera are provided for males and females.