[Entomology • 2024] Melanabropsis formosensis & M. guizhouensis • Macropterous Species of Genus Melanabropsis Wang & Liu, 2020 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Anabropsini) from Taiwan and Guizhou

Melanabropsis formosensis   

 Chen, 2024 

    

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5538.5.5

 

Abstract

The genus Melanabropsis currently consists of four micropterous species and one macropterous species from continental Asia and west Pacific islands. Yin (2024) predicted several potential habitats suitable for Melanabropsis species including Taiwan and Guizhou. In this study two additional new species from Taiwan and Guizhou are described, confirming the distribution prediction proposed by Yin. The distribution pattern of seven Melanabropsis species is discussed.

Orthoptera, Taiwan, Melanabropsis, taxonomy, new species, tegmina, distribution

Melanabropsis formosensis & 

Melanabropsis guizhouensis

Po-Wei CHEN. 2024. Macropterous Species of Genus Melanabropsis Wang & Liu, 2020 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Anabropsini) from the localities predicted in a previous study.  Zootaxa. 5538(5); 457-464. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5538.5.5 [2024-11-19]

 facebook.com/100011515621580/posts/2136055463454954

facebook.com/MGOrthoptera/posts/1142514841212225

[Entomology • 2026] Attenboroughnculus tau • A New Genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Chile and A Key to the World Genera

Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad,

in De Ketelaere, Pullar et Broad, 2026.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2663058 

ABSTRACT

A new genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is described: Attenboroughnculus De Ketelaere and Broad, gen. n. a monotypic genus for Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad, sp. n. collected in central Chile. This is the fourth genus and fourth described species of Pedunculinae and the second from the Neotropics. Each of the four known genera is defined by putative apomorphies, included in an identification key, and photos of each are provided.

KEYWORDS: Austral, Darwin wasps, Gondwanan, new species, South America, taxonomy, Sir David Attenborough

Attenboroughnculus De Ketelaere and Broad, gen. n.

  

Etymology: 

This unique genus from Chile has been named after Sir David Attenborough ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrating the broadcaster and biologist’s highly distinctive contribution to our understanding of the natural world. David Attenborough has featured Chile’s diverse, extreme landscapes in several documentaries, emphasising the unique environmental challenges and ecological resilience of species within the country.

Sir David has also filmed several scenes with parasitoid wasps, famously termed the ‘bodysnatcher wasp’ by the broadcaster in the Trials of Life, first broadcast in 1990. He has used his work to reveal the intimate, unseen or overlooked within nature. This resonates in the discovery of this species in an unsorted drawer within the collections of the Natural History Museum, London.

In 2023 Sir David revealed a new bronze quote outside the Natural History Museum, London, reading: The future of the natural world, on which we all depend, is in our hands. We are using this opportunity to echo this message through the naming of this new genus of tiny wasp.

We hope to inspire global scientists to take another look in their collections to see if there is something small that could contribute to our collective understanding and therefore the future of our natural world. The name is a concatenation of ‘Attenborough’ and ‘Pedunculus’.

Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad, sp. n.

Etymology: Named after the large, capital ‘T’ marking on the second metasomal tergite, with ‘tau’ being the Greek for ‘T’. A noun in apposition.

Augustijn De Ketelaere, Jennifer Pullar and Gavin R. Broad. 2026. The Description of A New Genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Chile and A Key to the World Genera. Journal of Natural History. 60(21-24); 1167-1180. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2663058 [07 May 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Caloptilia augeas & C. ceryneia • Two New Species of Caloptilia (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) from New Caledonia inducing galls on Glochidion billardierei (Phyllanthaceae) and Redescription of C. xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880)

[4-6] Caloptilia augeas
[11-13] Caloptilia ceryneia 

Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, 

in Guiguet, van Nieukerken, Giron, Gravendeel, Lopez-Vaamonde et Ohshima, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.173885 

Abstract

New Caledonia is a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of micro-endemism, yet its gracillariid fauna remains poorly documented. Here, two new species of Caloptilia Hübner, 1825 (Gracillariidae) are described from Glochidion J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Phyllanthaceae) host plants in Parc des Grandes Fougères, New Caledonia: Caloptilia augeas Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov., and Caloptilia ceryneia Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov. Both species induce leaf galls on Glochidion billardierei Baill., co-occurring on the same host species, sometimes even on the same leaf. They exhibit distinct wing patterns, but very similar male and female genitalia, and DNA barcoding supports their status as separate species. These findings provide evidence for potential within-host sympatric speciation, as documented in other gall-inducing insects. The larval biology of C. augeas and C. ceryneia reveals a unique frass disposal behaviour, whereby waste is excreted through a hole and the aperture is subsequently sealed—an adaptation not previously reported in gall-inducing Lepidoptera. Our findings double the known number of gall-inducing species in Gracillariidae, highlighting that this life history strategy may be more common than currently appreciated. We also provide new information on distribution and host plants of Caloptilia xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880), a leaf roller found on the same host plant, G. billardierei. These findings mark the first records of the subfamily Gracillariinae in New Caledonia. This study underscores the underexplored diversity of New Caledonian gracillariids and emphasises the conservation value of Parc des Grandes Fougères. Further surveys in the Indo-Pacific region may reveal additional yet undescribed Caloptilia species associated with Phyllanthaceae and help clarify the evolutionary mechanisms underpinning their diversification.

Key words: Australia, DNA barcoding, endemism, frass disposal, host plant use, sympatry, taxonomy

Habitus of adult Caloptilia augeas sp. nov. 

4. Resting posture; 5. Paratype, male RMNH.INS.25563; 6. Holotype, male, RMNH.INS.25562.
 

Habitus of adult Caloptilia ceryneia sp. nov.
11. Resting posture, holotype male, RMNH.INS.25650; 12. Paratype, female, RMNH.INS.25565; 13. Paratype, male, RMNH.INS.25564.
Scale bars: 2 mm.

Caloptilia augeas Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov., 

Etymology. The specific name augeas refers to the fifth Labour of Hercules in the Greek mythology. The larval behaviour of frass cleaning in the gall reminds this Labour that consisted in cleaning the stables of king Augeas (Αὐγέας). This name comes from the word “αὐγή” that designates “sun shine” and “reflection of a shiny object” in Classic Greek (Bailly 1899), referring to the bright colour of the adult wings. The epithet is to be regarded as a noun in apposition.

Caloptilia ceryneia Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name ceryneia refers to the ancient Greek city of Ceryneia or Keryneia (Κερύνεια), the location of the Ceryneian Hind from Greek mythology, which features in the third Labour of Hercules. The moth’s striking yellow and red wing pattern evokes the golden antlers and bronze hooves of the mythical deer. Its cryptic gall-inducing behaviour also recalls the elusive nature of the Ceryneian hind, which was known for its ability to remain hidden. The epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

 Antoine Guiguet, Erik J. van Nieukerken, David Giron, Barbara Gravendeel, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde, Issei Ohshima. 2026. Two New Species of Caloptilia (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) from New Caledonia inducing galls on Glochidion billardierei (Phyllanthaceae) and Redescription of C. xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880). ZooKeys. 1268: 113-137. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.173885 [04 Feb 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Cryptocephalomorpha thom • A New Species of the myrmecophilous Genus Cryptocephalomorpha Ritsema, 1875 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pseudomorphini), from the Indochinese Peninsula

Cryptocephalomorpha thom Choi, Nomura & Park,

in Choi, Nomura, Kwon, Choi et Park, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/dez.73.192635

 

Abstract

Based on specimens collected in southern Cambodia and western Thailand, Cryptocephalomorpha thom sp. nov., a new species of the genus Cryptocephalomorpha Ritsema, 1875 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pseudomorphini), is described. This study provides the first confirmed Cambodian record of the tribe and documents the occurrence of the new species in Cambodia and Thailand. A key to the Oriental genera of Pseudomorphini and an updated key to the Oriental species of the genus are provided, together with a description and illustrations of the new species.

Key Words: Cambodia, Carabidae, Cryptocephalomorpha, new species, Pseudomorphini, Thailand

Cryptocephalomorpha thom sp. nov.
Habitus of the holotype and paratype: A–C. Holotype, male; D–F. Paratype, female; A, D. Dorsal aspect; B, E. Ventral aspect; C, F. Left lateral aspect.
Elytral marginal setigerous punctures: A–B. Holotype, male; C–D. Paratype, female; A, C. Humeral series of elytral marginal setigerous punctures; B, D. Elytral subapex, without a subapical setigerous puncture.

Genus Cryptocephalomorpha Ritsema, 1875: XCII.

Type species. Cryptocephalomorpha gaverei Ritsema, 1875.

Cryptocephalomorpha thom Choi, Nomura & Park, sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis.

Large species for the genus, body length more than 6 mm from head to visible abdominal segment. Mandible normal, without lateral excision and spine. Ground color almost uniformly dark brown, with small, narrow reddish patch on each of elytral subapex. Pronotal lateral margin distinctly explanate laterally; lateral margin visible from above. Elytral longer; length/width ratio of 1.22–1.25, lateral margin incurved below; lateral margin not distinctly visible from above, narrowed toward the apex, without a lateral seta of apical series and with a small elytral light patch on each side. Male abdominal sternite VI with dense pubescent pad at middle. Female abdominal sternite VI with four setae.

This is a large species within the genus Cryptocephalomorpha, readily recognized by its distinctive form of the elytral lateral margin and coloration. Among known congeners, it is most ...

Etymology: The new species is named after the Khmer word thom, meaning “large” or “big” (Khmer: ធំ). The epithet is treated as a noun in apposition and refers to the comparatively large size of the species within the genus.

Jong Bong Choi, Shuhei Nomura, Taeyeong Kwon, Eunyoung Choi and Jong Kyun Park. 2026. A New Species of the myrmecophilous Genus Cryptocephalomorpha Ritsema, 1875, from the Indochinese Peninsula (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pseudomorphini). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 73(2): 323-331. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/dez.73.192635 [10 Jul 2026]

[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Paleoanomala decapitata • A New lace bug from Lower Cretaceous Spanish Amber informs the Evolution of Forewing Venation in Tingidae (Hemiptera: Miroidea)

Paleoanomala decapitata 

 Davranoglou, Fabrikant, Peñalver, Pérez-de la Fuente, Álvarez-Parra & Delclòs, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70107 

 x.com/ThePalAss 

Abstract

A new lace bug, Paleoanomala decapitata sp. nov. (Tingidae, Tingiometrinae), is described from Lower Cretaceous (upper Albian) amber of Peñacerrada I (Burgos, Spain). The genus Paleoanomala was previously known only from Cenomanian Kachin amber of Myanmar, and the discovery of this new species significantly expands its palaeogeographical range as well as the known diversity of lace bugs from Spanish amber deposits. Furthermore, the description of the new species urged us to undertake a reinterpretation of forewing venation in early lace bugs, finding nearly identical venation patterns in the extinct genera Paleoanomala and Tingiometra (Tingiometrinae), and Hispanocader (Hispanocaderidae). Based on this revised interpretation and other shared morphological characters, the extinct tingid subfamily Tingiometrinae and the family Hispanocaderidae are synonymized with Ebboidae, which is here treated as the subfamily Ebboinae stat. nov. within Tingidae. Additionally, Paleoanomala aptenus Poinar & Vega is recognized as a junior synonym of Tingiometra yuripopovi Golub & Heiss, and the latter species is transferred to Paleoanomala as Paleoanomala yuripopovi comb. nov. The affinities of the male paratype previously assigned to this species remain uncertain and it is tentatively treated as Ebboinae indet. Finally, a synthesis of the palaeobiogeographical affinities of arthropods from Cretaceous Spanish amber suggests extensive faunal connections between Iberia, Myanmar and the Middle East during the Early Cretaceous, reflecting the widespread distribution of resiniferous forest ecosystems across Laurasia.

Keywords: Heteroptera, Tingidae, lace bug, fossil, Cretaceous amber, Iberia

Paleoanomala decapitata sp. nov. 

 Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglou, Dolev Fabrikant, Enrique Peñalver, Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente, Sergio Álvarez-Parra and Xavier Delclòs. 2026. A New lace bug from Lower Cretaceous Spanish Amber informs the Evolution of Forewing Venation in Tingidae (Hemiptera, Miroidea). 

Papers in Palaeontology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70107 [29 June 2026] 

x.com/ThePalAss/status/2071649975742681465 

[Entomology • 2026] Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex • One New Species of the Genus Neophlugiolopsis Pan & Bian, 2024 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Guangxi, China

 

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex  

 Xiong, Chen & Shi, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.1.12 

The genus Neophlugiolopsis was established by Pan & Bian (2024), with Neophlugiolopsis longiprocera Pan & Bian, 2024 as the type species. It resembles Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940, Paraphlugiolopsis Bian & Shi, 2014, Aphlugiolopsis Wang, Liu & Li, 2015, Pseudophlugiolopsis Wang, Zhou & Chang, 2020 and Guangxia An, Chen & Shi, 2023, but can be distinguished from them mainly by the following characters: tegmina reach the middle of abdomen, and posterior area of male tenth abdominal tergite is strongly produced posteriorly into a long process. 

 

In this paper, a new species from Guangxi, China is described and tentatively assigned to the genus Neophlugiolopsis. All type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov., male:
A–B. head and pronotum: A. dorsal view; B. lateral view; C–F. apex of abdomen: C. ventral view; D. latero-ventral view; E. dorsal view; F. lateral view.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov., male in habitat.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov.

 Chinese name: 黑顶新吟螽 

Etymology. The specific name refers to the black dorsal surface of the vertex. It is derived from Latin nigri-, meaning “black”, and vertex, meaning “top of the head”.

ZIJIAN XIONG, KEDA CHEN and FUMING SHI. 2026. One New Species of the Genus Neophlugiolopsis Pan & Bian, 2024 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Guangxi, China.  Zootaxa. 5845(1); 197-200. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.1.12 [2026-07-03]

[Botany • 2026] Syngonium turipachense (Araceae) • A New Species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium from Chiapas, Mexico

Syngonium turipachense 

in Jiménez, Pérez-Farrera, Croat, Martínez-Martínez, Méndez, Hentrich et Aguilar-Rodríguez, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.6 

   facebook.com/Unicach

 

The genus Syngonium is represented in Mexico by ten species, seven of which are registered for the state of Chiapas. During fieldwork between 2020 and 2025 in Berriozabal, Chiapas, we discovered an undescribed species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium that is morphologically similar to S. neglectum, but differing from that species in having one or two inflorescences per axil, glaucous stems and spathe tube, a spathe blade almost twice as long as the staminate portion of the spadix, staminate flowers retuse at the apex, glaucous immature infructescence and the spathe not persistent in mature fruits.

Aroid, Berriozabal, Reserva La Pera, Syngonium angustatum, Syngonium neglectum, Monocots

Syngonium turipachense

PEDRO DÍAZ JIMÉNEZ, MIGUEL ÁNGEL PÉREZ-FARRERA, THOMAS B. CROAT, MAURICIO GERÓNIMO MARTÍNEZ-MARTÍNEZ, GASPAR MORENO MÉNDEZ, HEIKO HENTRICH, PEDRO A. AGUILAR-RODRÍGUEZ. 2026. A New Species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium (Araceae) from Chiapas, Mexico.  Phytotaxa. 750(3); 207-215. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.6 [2026-04-07]

  facebook.com/Unicach/posts/1360714109410395

[Entomology • 2026] Scymnus tshunsii • The First termitophilous Ladybird Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Microcerotermes Nests in Thailand

 

  Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama, 

in Seki, Liang , Hasin, Chiu et Maruyama, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.14411/eje.2026.017  

Termite nests host diverse symbiotic arthropods (termitophiles), many of which exhibit specialized morphological and behavioral adaptations to life within termite colonies. While numerous beetle families include well-known termitophiles, an association with termites has not yet been recorded in the family Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles). Here, we report the discovery of Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama, sp. n., based on adults and larvae collected from nests of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934, in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with additional adults captured at light traps. Although the adult morphology is typical for free-living Scymnini, the larva exhibits a highly unusual, soft-bodied, glabrous body form closely resembling termite workers - an apparent case of convergent evolution also seen in termitophilous rove beetles, scarabs, and phorid flies. The stark contrast between adult and larval morphology suggests stage-specific adaptations, with larvae more intimately integrated into the termite nest environment. Collecting adults at light traps indicates nocturnal dispersal, likely to locate new host colonies. This discovery represents the first confirmed termitophilous ladybird beetle and indicates that termite nests may support previously unrecognized ecological associations within Coccinellidae.

 

Keywords: New species, predators, Scymnini, taxonomy, termite

  Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n.
1 – dorsal view; 2 – ventral view; 3 – lateral view;
4 – alive, lateral view; 5 – alive, ventral view.

Habitat of Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n.
 32–34 – Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. (32 – adult; 33–34 – larvae); 35 – soldier of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934;
36 – forest environment; 37 – mound of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934.

 

Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama sp. n. 

 

Diagnosis. Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. is similar in external coloration to many species of Scymnini (e.g., Sasaji, 1971; Chen et al., 2015a, b; Wang & Chen, 2022), but can be readily distinguished by the structure of the genitalia. This species is placed in the subgenus Pullus Mulsant, 1846 based on the combination of the following characters: antennae composed of 11 antennomeres, prosternal process with well-developed lateral carinae, abdominal postcoxal lines recurved and complete, and female genitalia with a distinct infundibulum (Chen et al., 2015a). Chen et al. (l.c.) divided the subgenus Scymnus (Pullus) from mainland China and Taiwan into S. hingstoni, S. subvillosus, S. impexus, S. perdere, and S. sodalis groups. The new species lacks a prominent dorsal keel on the penis guide of ...

Etymology. The species is named after Tshun-Sî, the son of Wei-Ren Liang, the second author. His name, meaning “sowing in spring,” reflects the hope for the flourishing of future studies on termitophily in Thailand following this groundbreaking discovery. 

Distribution. Thailand (Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima)  

Ryōta SEKI, Wei-Ren LIANG, Sasitorn HASIN, Chun-I CHIU and Munetoshi MARUYAMA. 2026. The First termitophilous Ladybird Beetle: Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Microcerotermes nests in Thailand. Eur. J. Entomol. 123: 165-174. DOI: doi.org/10.14411/eje.2026.017  [May 14, 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Montana tomorri & M. dani • Two New Species of Bush-crickets (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Mountains of south Albania

 

(A–D) Montana tomorri and (G–H) Montana dani 

Puskás, Lemonnier-Darcemont, Willemse, Chobanov, Heller, Halimi, Darcemont, Kotitsa& Szövényi, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.2.3

Abstract

Two new taxa of Platycleidini have been discovered in southern Albania, with one of them extending its range to the Greek border. In this paper, we analyse their morphological features, the characteristics of their acoustic signals, and phylogenetic relationships. These taxa clearly belong to the cluster of species comprising the four genera Montana, Amedegnatiana, Parnassiana, and Metrioptera s. str. The results of this study suggest their placement within the genus Montana, and we describe two new species: Montana tomorri sp. nov. and Montana dani sp. nov. Our findings highlight the urgent need for a reassessment of the tribe Platycleidini using integrative approaches that incorporate molecular and bioacoustic data, in order to better understand monophyletic groups and evaluate the consistency of current generic classifications.

Orthoptera, balkans, mountain endemism, Platycleidini, bioacoustics, phylogeny

habitus and colour variation of Montana tomorri sp. nov. from Tomorr Mt. (A–D) 

 

habitus and colour variation of M. dani sp. nov. from Trebeshina Mt. (E–H).

GELLÉRT PUSKÁS, MICHÈLE LEMONNIER-DARCEMONT, LUC WILLEMSE, DRAGAN CHOBANOV, KLAUS-GERHARD HELLER, ELTJON HALIMI, CHRISTIAN DARCEMONT, NEFELI KOTITSA, GERGELY SZÖVÉNYI. 2026. Montana tomorri and Montana dani (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), Two New Species of Bush-crickets from the Mountains of south Albania. Zootaxa. 5828(2); 225-255. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.2.3 [2026-06-09]

[Entomology • 2020] Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni • A New Monotypic Genus of Coenagrionidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Colombian Amazon

 Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni

Stand-Pérez & Pérez-Gutiérrez, 2020. 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4845.4.7 

Researchgate.net/publication/344100303

Abstract

Pseudotepuibasis gen. nov. is erected for P. garrisoni sp. nov. from the Colombian Amazon (December 2015, Caquetá Department, Solano Municipality, Araracuara, Guacamayo Guard, -72.2497, -0.6308, L. Pérez leg.). Male and female of this new genus are described and illustrated, cerci of male with a ventrobasal spur for which it is considered in the tribe Teinobasini, close to Tepuibasis De Marmels, 2007 and Austrotepuibasis Machado & Lencioni, 2011, by its color pattern and cerci morphology; and close to Leptobasis Selys, 1877 and Mesoleptobasis Sjöstedt, 1918, by its genital ligula. Some notable characters of Pseudotepuibasis are a chitinized spine-like process directed posteriorly on the genital ligula, male cerci with chitinized median tooth, and thoracic color pattern.

Keywords: Odonata, Damselfly, Teinobasini, Guyana shield, tepui, integrative taxonomy, biogeography

 Habitus scan of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni;
(A) Male holotype; (B) Female allotype. 

 Habitus of female of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni.

Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni gen. nov. et sp. nov.

 Surroundings of habitat of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni in rocky plateau with dwarf forest; in the background the Caquetá River.

Miguel Ángel Stand-Pérez and León Andrés Pérez- Gutiérrez. 2020. Pseudotepuibasis gen. nov., A New Monotypic Genus of Coenagrionidae from Colombian Amazon (Odonata: Zygoptera). Zootaxa. 4845(4); 576–584. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.4.7 

Researchgate.net/publication/344100303_Pseudotepuibasis_a_new_monotypic_genus_of_Coenagrionidae_from_Colombian_Amazon

[Entomology • 2026] Oxyporus amigo • A New Species of Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) from western Mexico

 

 Oxyporus amigo

Navarrete-Heredia & Reyes-Hernández, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5837.1.7

Abstract

A new species, Oxyporus amigo, is described from Jalisco and Michoacán, Mexico. The new species is diagnosed and illustrated. Additionally, Oxyporus mexicanus Fauvel, 1865 is recorded for the first time from the state of Aguascalientes, based on specimens collected in Monte Grande, San José de Gracia.

Coleoptera, Oxyporinae, rove beetles, taxonomy, new species, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Habitus of Oxyporus amigo sp. nov.:
 1) holotype, male, dorsal view; 2) paratype, female, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm

Aedeagus of Oxyporus amigo sp. nov. (holotype, male);
3) Parameral view; 4) Left lateral view; 5) Right lateral view; 6) Antiparameral view.

Scale bars: 1 mm.

JOSÉ L. NAVARRETE-HEREDIA and JOSÉ L. REYES-HERNÁNDEZ. 2026. A New Species of Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) from western Mexico and New Record from Aguascalientes for O. mexicanus Fauvel. Zootaxa. 5837(1); 154-160. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5837.1.7 [2026-06-22]

[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Cretolala kachinensis (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacoidea) • the First lalacid from mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber: Morphological and Taphonomic Implications

Cretolala kachinensis 

Tang, ŠMÍDOVÁ, Ding, BODERAU, Fabrikant, Mähler, Deng, Nyunt, Fu, Jouault, Tomaschek, Szwedo & Jiang, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.9.2.5

Abstract 

We report Cretolala kachinensis gen. et sp. nov., the first formally described representative of the family Lalacidae from mid-Cretaceous (~99 Ma) Kachin amber. The morphology and taphonomy of the specimen were studied using optical microscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM‒EDS). Cretolala kachinensis gen. et sp. nov. exhibits a unique combination of forewing characters, including a strengthened, broad, and wrinkled costal margin; ScP+R fork proximal to both the Pcu+A1 fusion and the CuA fork; MP with five terminals; and CuA1 and CuA2 each with two terminals. Crossvein patterns differ between the left and right forewings, indicating that crossvein expression alone is not diagnostic. The forewing bears distinct maculation, with a face-like pattern dorsally and an extensive lateral pattern that may indicate aposematism, mimicry, or plant-like camouflage in an arboreal herbivore. Taphonomic analyses based on optical micrographs and material-dependent X-ray attenuation in micro-CT show that minerals are distributed throughout the fossil, coating anatomical surfaces and infilling pre-existing cavities and voids. These phases help stabilize morphology and influence the micro-CT reconstruction of soft-bodied structures. SEM–EDS analyses indicate that the body-coating and void-filling minerals are dominated by quartz and pyrite, with feldspars and aluminosilicate mixtures also present, locally enriched in K, Na, Mg, or Ca. This assemblage and its textures point to a polyphase paragenetic sequence, with early detrital infill and later authigenic mineralization. Our results suggest that minerals and some chemicals derived from the host sediments can be transported into and, in some cases, precipitated within amber inclusions, infilling voids and providing structural support that influences fossil preservation. Collectively, these phases occlude porosity, stabilize morphology, and enhance X-ray contrast, although they locally obscured primary tissue boundaries. Our results highlight multistage diagenesis in Kachin amber and underscore variability among inclusions in both mineral assemblages and the timing of mineralization/diagenetic events.

Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacoidea, Mesozoic, Burmese amber, Planthopper, taxonomy, taphonomy, mineral infilling, wing maculation

Cretolala kachinensis gen. et sp. nov., holotype (HMJ–2016–019).
A–D, Reflected-light micrographs. A, Right lateral view. B, Left lateral view. C, Dorsal view. D, Ventral view. E, F, Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) reconstructions. E, Dorsal view. F, Ventral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Systematic palaeontology

Order Hemiptera Linnaeus, 1758

Suborder Fulgoromorpha Evans, 1946

Superfamily Delphacoidea Leach, 1815

Family Lalacidae Hamilton, 1990

Cretolala Jiang, Boderau, Jouault & Szwedo gen. nov.

  

Etymology. The generic name is formed from the combination of “Cretaceous” and generic name “Lalax”; the latter is derived from the Greek λάλαξ (“croaker”, “caller”), in reference to a lalacid planthopper from the Cretaceous. Gender is feminine.

Diagnosis (provisional, pending confirmation from additional specimens and in combination with specieslevel diagnostic characters). Tegmen with narrow base and distinctly widened apical portion; costal margin strengthened, broad and wrinkled. Pc+CP shifted away from anterior margin near tegmen base, parallel to CA, forming a narrow, sclerotized costal area. ScP+R forks basad both CuA fork and Pcu+A1 fusion. RA with two terminals; RP with three terminals; MP with five terminals; CuA1 and CuA2 with two terminals each. 

Cretolala kachinensis Jiang, Boderau, Jouault & Szwedo sp. nov.  

Material. Holotype: HMJ–2016–019, adult female in Kachin (Burmese) amber from northern Myanmar. Repository: Myanmar Gems Museum, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Condition: the specimen is incomplete, with the head and the dorsal part of the thorax missing. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from “Kachin”, the name of the state in northern Myanmar where the amber originates, and is Latinized with the adjectival suffix -ensis, meaning from “Kachin”. 

Diagnosis. As for the genus, due to monotypy. Additional features include forewing coloration and venation details: costal margin with a continuous dark band along costal area; membrane bearing nearly continuous aligned patches and short transverse bands; a discrete insular macula on ScP+RA; a sub-elliptical isolated macula near distal Pcu; distad of forks of RP and MP, pigment is vein-following, tracking adjacent longitudinal and crossveins; postnodal cell centers unpigmented, ...

 Life reconstruction of Cretolala kachinensis gen. et sp. nov.

 (illustrated by Lucia Šmídová).

Ya-Ni TANG, Lucia ŠMÍDOVÁ, Ying-Ying DING, Mathieu BODERAU, Dolev FABRIKANT, Bastian MÄHLER, Jun-Chen DENG, Thet Tin NYUNT, Yan-Zh FU, Corentin JOUAULT, Frank TOMASCHEK, Jacek SZWEDO, Hui JIANG. 2026. Cretolala kachinensis gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacoidea), the First lalacid from mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber: Morphological and Taphonomic implications. Palaeoentomology. 9(2); 125-138. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.9.2.5 [2026-04-29]

[Entomology • 2026] Rivetina archibaldi (Mantodea: Rivetinidae) • A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran

 Rivetina archibaldi  Kolnegari, 

in Kolnegari, Handal et Khormizi, 2026   

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839

Abstract

Iran, the world’s 18th-largest country, harbors a wide range of habitats and a rich diversity of Mantodea. The genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922 is represented in Iran by several morphologically similar ground-dwelling species. Here, we describe Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. from the Zagros oak forests of Lorestan Province, western Iran. The new species is diagnosed based on external morphology and male genital structures and is compared with congeners occurring in Iran and Iraq. A dichotomous key to the Iranian species of Rivetina is also provided.

Keywords: Ground-dwelling mantis, Lorestan Province, Middle East, Persian Plateau

Head and pronotum of Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. male (A, C) and female (B, D).

Live habitus of  Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (A, C) male and (B, D) female.

Family Rivetinidae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Subfamily Rivetininae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Tribe Rivetinini Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922

Rivetina archibaldi Kolnegari, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis.— The metazone minimum width is distinctly smaller in Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (mean = 1.78 mm) than in all examined congeners. The new species is morphologically similar to R. dolichoptera but differs in the shape of the pronotum, the shorter supra-anal plate, and distinct features of the male genitalia.

Etymology.— The specific epithet archibaldi is dedicated to Dr. George Archibald, a renowned conservationist who has devoted more than half a century of his life to the protection of wildlife, especially cranes (Aves, Gruidae), around the world. His lifelong efforts have played a central role in saving several crane species from extinction and in promoting the conservation of these legendary and symbolic birds across continents, including in the Middle East and Iran. The name honors his remarkable contribution to avian conservation and his inspiring legacy in global ornithology.

 Mahmood Kolnegari, Elias Handal and Mahdi Zare Khormizi. 2026. Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (Mantodea, Rivetinidae), A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 35(2): 283-292. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839 [12 Jun 2026]

[Fungi • 2026] Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata • Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Pleurocordyceps (Hypocreales: Polycephalomycetaceae) associated with Ants and Cicadas from Malaysia, including A New Species and New Records

  

Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata 

in Shahbaz, Mohadden, Rong, Wei et Seelan, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.4.1

 

Abstract

Pleurocordyceps is a group of hyperparasites that infects invertebrates, plants, and other fungi. It belongs to the family Polycephalomycetaceae, a newly established family separated from Ophiocordycipitaceae, order Hypocreales which includes several genera such as Dingleyomyces, Paradingleyomyces, Perennicordyceps, Pleurocordyceps, and Polycephalomyces. Pleurocordyceps currently comprises 26 species reported from South American and Asian regions In Asia, Malaysia has diverse forest ecosystems and rich fungal diversity; however, no previous studies have been reported on the occurrence of Pleurocordyceps species. The aim of the study is to explore the Pleurocordyceps diversity tropical rainforests of Malaysia using morpho-molecular analyses. During a fungal survey in Malaysia, fungicolous fungus associated with ants and cicadas nymphs were collected and subjected to morphological and molecular assessments. Two genetic loci—the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) gene—were used to construct both individual and concatenated phylogenetic trees. The study describes a new species, Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata sp. nov. (BORH/F03651) from an ant, and two new records of P. aurantiaca (BORH/F03651), and P. nipponica (UTHM-CEF003.1) from Diptera and cicada nymph, respectively. These findings expand the knowledge of the geographic distribution of Pleurocordyceps and provide the first baseline data for the genus in Malaysia, thereby improving understanding of the diversity and evolutionary relationships within Polycephalomycetaceae.

arthropod hosts, entomopathogenic fungi, Pleurocordyceps, synnema, three taxa, typification, Fungi

Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata sp. nov. 

MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ, FIRDZA ZULKARNAIN MOHADDEN, JEREMIAH SIA YIAO RONG, YAP JING WEI and JAYA SEELAN SATHIYA SEELAN. 2026. Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Pleurocordyceps (Polycephalomycetaceae, Hypocreales) associated with Ants and Cicadas from Malaysia, including A New Species and New Records.  Phytotaxa. 750(4); 219-237. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.4.1 [2026-04-09]