[Invertebrate • 2026] Quapawjapyx osage & Holjapyx nimiipuu • New Cave japygids (Diplura: Japygidae) from North America

Quapawjapyx osage Sendra gen. et sp. nov.

Holjapyx nimiipuu Sendra sp. nov.,

in Sendra, Jiménez-Valverde, Selfa et Cupello, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3217 

Abstract

We studied a significant collection of Japygidae (Diplura) deposited in the Texas A&M University Insect Collection, sampled from several caves in North America, mostly in the early 21st century by a group of American speleologists. Among this biological material, a new genus and species, Quapawjapyx osage Sendra gen. et sp. nov., is described from four caves in Arkansas, and a new species, Holjapyx nimiipuu Sendra sp. nov., from five caves in Idaho; both are named in honor of native American tribes. Quapawjapyx osage can be distinguished from Indjapyx, Paurojapyx, and Parindjapyx – which share symmetrical cerci – by the combination of the shape and disposition of the glandular and sensory setae on the first urosternite, together with differences in cercal ornamentation. Holjapyx nimiipuu is characterized by the presence of two conspicuously large predental denticles on the right cercus. Both new taxa of cavernicolous japygids show slight cave-adaptation features, such as large body size, slight elongated appendages, and a small increase in the placoid sensilla of last antennomere. These two new taxa double the number of known cave-adapted japygids in North America, a seemingly low figure that is nonetheless comparable to other karst regions worldwide.

Keywords: Japygoidea, cave-adapted fauna, Nearctic region, taxonomy

Class Diplura Börner, 1904

Superfamily Japygoidea Ewing, 1942

Family Japygidae Haliday, 1864

Quapawjapyx osage Sendra gen. et sp. nov.
A. Paratype, ♂ (TAMU-ENTO X1831026). B, D–E. Paratype, ♂ (TAMU-ENTO X1832015). C. Holotype, ♀ (TAMU-ENTO X1831147).
A. Habitus. B. Last antennomere; placoid sensilla remarked by spotted line. C. Lacinia with interior laminae and mandible. D. Dorsal portion on third antennomere with pores. E. Metathoracic claws.

Genus Quapawjapyx Sendra gen. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is in honor of the Quapaw Nation of Native Americans, who thrived along the lowlands of the Arkansas river five hundred years ago. Today, they live alongside much later European settlersfrom other nations.

Quapawjapyx osage Sendra gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is in honor of the Osage Nation of Native Americans, who now reside in Osage County, Oklahoma. They arrived and thrived a few hundred years ago in the northern mountains of Arkansas.

Holjapyx nimiipuu Sendra sp. nov., holotype,  ♀ (TAMU-ENTO X1831140).
A. Habitus. B. Last antennomere. C. Distal portion of urite X including cerci. D. Left cercus. E. Right cercus; placoidsensilla remarked by dash line.

 Holjapyx nimiipuu Sendra sp. nov.

Etymology: ‘Nimiipuu’ (‘we, the people’) is the name by which the Nez Perce Native American tribe refers to themselves. They have thrived in  the Pacific Northwest of North-America for  more than ten   thousand years and today live primarily on their tribal reservation in Idaho. We dedicate this new species to the Nimiipuu people and to their enduring struggle for survival.

Alberto Sendra, Alberto Jiménez-Valverde, Jesús Selfa and Mario Cupello. 2026. New Cave japygids (Diplura: Japygidae) from North America. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1043(1); 166–198. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3217 

 

[Entomology • 2022] Neuroterus valhalla • Describing Biodiversity in the Genomics Era: A New Species of Nearctic Cynipidae Gall Wasp and its Genome

Artist’s illustration of the lifecycle of Neuroterus valhalla, a cynipid gall wasp that uses chemicals to induce live oak trees to grow protective crypts, or galls, around its eggs. N. valhalla females (A and D2) lay twice per year in alternating generations at different locations on trees. One generation emerges in February or March, laying eggs in live oak flowers (B) and inducing galls (C1) where adults will emerge in 2-3 weeks. These lay eggs at branching stem nodes (E), inducing galls (F1) from which adults will emerge 11 months later. Ecologists discovered N. valhalla at Rice University, and have yet to find a male member of the species (center). 

in Brandão-Dias, Zhang, Pirro, Vinson, Weinersmith, Ward, Forbes et Egan, 2022. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.12521

Illustration by Barbara Rossi

ABSTRACT

Gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) specializing on live oaks in the genus Quercus (subsection Virentes) are a relatively diverse and well‐studied community with 14 species described to date, albeit with incomplete information on their biology, life history and genetic structure. Incorporating an integrative taxonomic approach, we combine morphology, phenology, behaviour, genetics and genomics to describe a new species, Neuroterus valhalla sp. nov. The alternating generations of this species induce galls on the catkins and stem nodes of Quercus virginiana and Quercus geminata in the southern United States. We describe both generations in the species' life cycle, and primarily use samples from a population in the centre of Houston, Texas, thus serving as an example of the undescribed biodiversity still present in well‐travelled urban centres. In parallel, we present a draft assembly of the N. valhalla genome providing a direct link between the type specimen and reference genome. The genome of N. valhalla is the smallest reported to date within the tribe Cynipini, providing an important comparative contrast to the otherwise large genome size of cynipids. While relatively small, the genome was found to be composed of >64% repetitive elements, including 43% unclassified repeats and 11% retrotransposons. A preliminary ab initio and homology‐based annotation revealed 32,005 genes, and a subsequent orthogroup analysis grouped 18,044 of these to 8186 orthogroups, with some evidence for high levels of gene duplications within Cynipidae. A mitochondrial barcode phylogeny linked each generation of the new species and a phylogenomic ultraconserved element (UCEs) phylogeny indicates that the new species groups with other Nearctic Neuroterus. However, both phylogenies present the genus Neuroterus in North America as polyphyletic.

 

  Neuroterus valhalla life cycle.
(A) Stem node (asexual) generation female; (B) oviposition in developing catkin buds; (C) N. valhalla's oval gall on the catkin inflorescence (C1), which are not to be mistaken with Andricus quercuslanigera's fusiform galls on the stalk of the catkin (C2); (D) unknown sexual generation male (D1), catkin (sexual) generation female (D2); (E) oviposition in stem nodes; (F) N. valhalla's cryptic galls on stem nodes (F1), not to be mistaken with Bassettia pallida's internode clustered cryptic galls (F2). Green background highlights the asexual (stem node) generation, while yellow background highlights the sexual (catkin) generation.  

Illustration by Barbara Rossi

 

Neuroterus valhalla sp. nov.

 Pedro F. P. Brandão-Dias, Yuanmeng Miles Zhang, Stacy Pirro, Camila C. Vinson, Kelly L. Weinersmith, Anna K. G. Ward, Andrew A. Forbes and Scott P. Egan. 2022. Describing Biodiversity in the Genomics Era: A New Species of Nearctic Cynipidae Gall Wasp and its Genome. Syst Entomol. 47: 94-112. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.12521 [10 January 2022]

• Incorporating an integrative taxonomic approach, we describe a new species, Neuroterus valhalla sp. nov. alongside its genome sequence, highlighting the parallel between a type specimen and a reference genome.

• We describe it primarily from a population in the centre of Houston, Texas, thus serving as an example of the undescribed biodiversity still present in well-travelled urban centres.

• The genome of N. valhalla is the smallest reported to date within the tribe Cynipini, with evidence of extensive gene duplications, sparking a discussion on the mechanisms behind Cynipidae's large genomes.

[Entomology • 2024] Ceroptres anzui, C. promethei, C. thrymi, ... • One must imagine Sisyphus happy: Integrative Taxonomic Characterization of 22 New Ceroptres Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini)

Ceroptres promethei Nastasi, Smith, & Davis, 

in Nastasi, Smith, Davis, Ward, Brown, Zhang, Rollins, Friesen, Tribull, Forbes et Deans, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5508.1.1

Abstract

We describe new species in the genus Ceroptres Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini) represented by voucher material sequenced by Ward et al. (2024). We describe 22 new species, all authored by Nastasi, Smith, & Davis: C. anansii sp. nov., C. anzui sp. nov., C. bruti sp. nov., C. curupira sp. nov., C. daleki sp. nov., C. dandoi sp. nov., C. demerzelae sp. nov., C. iktomii sp. nov., C. jabbai sp. nov., C. jarethi sp. nov., C. lokii sp. nov., C. lupini sp. nov., C. mallowi sp. nov., C. promethei sp. nov., C. sandiegoae sp. nov., C. selinae sp. nov., C. soloi sp. nov., C. songae sp. nov., C. swiperi sp. nov., C. thrymi sp. nov., C. tikoloshei sp. nov., and C. zorroi sp. nov. After our taxonomic treatment, the genus Ceroptres includes 43 species, all but three of which are known from North America. Among our new species are two reared from cecidomyiid midge galls, an association previously recorded but without valid taxonomic association. We provide new records for two additional previously described species; we record C. ensiger (Walsh, 1864) from Pennsylvania and confirm characters for the male, and we record C. lanigerae Ashmead, 1885 from Texas. We also examined several putative species corresponding to either C. cornigera Melika & Buss, 2002 and/or C. frondosae Ashmead, 1896, which we regard as a species complex that requires elucidation in future studies. To enable further studies on Ceroptres, we provide an updated key to North American females. Overall, we find that species of Ceroptres are host specialists associated with a single host gall species or several galls that are phylogenetically or ecologically related. We suggest that there are many North American species of Ceroptres, possibly hundreds, still awaiting collection and characterization.

Hymenoptera, agastoparasitism, Cecidomyiidae, Cynipini, gall, inquiline

Ceroptres promethei Nastasi, Smith, & Davis

 Louis F. Nastasi, Cecil N. Smith, Charles K. Davis, Anna K.G. Ward, Guerin Brown, Guerin Brown, Y. Miles Zhang, Shannon Rollins, Chris Friesen, Carly M. Tribull, Andrew A. Forbes and Andrew R. Deans. 2024. One must imagine Sisyphus happy: Integrative Taxonomic Characterization of 22 New Ceroptres Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini). Zootaxa. 5508(1); 1-63. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5508.1.1

 

[Entomology • 2024] Revision of Nearctic Eparces (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae): Description Eparces australis Claridge & Dal Pos sp. nov., Nomenclatural Notes, and New Records of Eparces quadriceps (Cresson, 1867)

 

Eparces australis 

 Claridge & Dal Pos, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5453.4.5 

 x.com/DDP_Ichneumonid

Abstract

The Nearctic species of the parasitoid wasp genus Eparces are revised. A new species, Eparces australis Claridge & Dal Pos sp. nov., is described from the southeastern USA. Additionally, nomenclatural comments on the other Nearctic species, Eparces quadriceps (Cresson, 1867) are provided, along with new records for the species from various states in the USA.

Hymenoptera, parasitoid wasp, taxonomy, North America

Brandon Claridge and Davide Dal Pos. 2024. Revision of Nearctic Eparces (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae): Description Eparces australis Claridge & Dal Pos sp. nov., Nomenclatural Notes, and New Records of Eparces quadriceps (Cresson, 1867). Zootaxa. 5453(4); 549-557. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5453.4.5

  x.com/DDP_Ichneumonid/status/1793344441434132713

[Arachnida • 2022] Hypochilus xomote • Phylogenomics of Paleoendemic Lampshade Spiders (Araneae: Hypochilidae, Hypochilus), with the Description of A New Species from Montane California

 Hypochilus xomote Hedin & Ciaccio,  

in Ciaccio, Debray & Hedin, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1086.77190

newscenter.SDSU.edu

Abstract

Hypochilus is a relictual lineage of Nearctic spiders distributed disjunctly across the United States in three montane regions (California, southern Rocky Mountains, southern Appalachia). Phylogenetic resolution of species relationships in Hypochilus has been challenging, and conserved morphology coupled with extreme genetic divergence has led to uncertain species limits in some complexes. Here, Hypochilus interspecies relationships have been reconstructed and cryptic speciation more critically evaluated using a combination of ultraconserved elements, mitochondrial CO1 by-catch, and morphology. Phylogenomic data strongly support the monophyly of regional clades and support a ((California, Appalachia), southern Rocky Mountains) topology. In Appalachia, five species are resolved as four lineages (H. thorelli Marx, 1888 and H. coylei Platnick, 1987 are clearly sister taxa), but the interrelationships of these four lineages remain unresolved. The Appalachian species H. pococki Platnick, 1987 is recovered as monophyletic but is highly genetically structured at the nuclear level. While algorithmic analyses of nuclear data indicate many species (e.g., all H. pococki populations as species), male morphology instead reveals striking stasis. Within the California clade, nuclear and mitochondrial lineages of H. petrunkevitchi Gertsch, 1958 correspond directly to drainage basins of the southern Sierra Nevada, with H. bernardino Catley, 1994 nested within H. petrunkevitchi and sister to the southernmost basin populations. Combining nuclear, mitochondrial, geographical, and morphological evidence a new species from the Tule River and Cedar Creek drainages is described, Hypochilus xomote sp. nov. We also emphasize the conservation issues that face several microendemic, habitat-specialized species in this remarkable genus.

Keywords: Conservation, mountains, multispecies coalescent, short-range endemism, Sierra Nevada, southern Appalachians, taxonomic over-splitting, ultraconserved elements

Habitat, web, and live specimen digital images for Hypochilus xomote.
From Kern County, vicinity Alder Creek campground, along Cedar Creek, 5–6 Sept 2020 (see Suppl. material 2)
 A large S-facing granite boulder, on the north side of Cedar Creek. Spider aggregations found in shaded areas, at white arrow B web of an adult female
C image of live adult female D image of live adult male.

 Hypochilus xomote Hedin & Ciaccio, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: CdL of intermediate length (Table 5), longer than H. bernardino but shorter than H. petrunkevitchi, although barely so for geographically adjacent KAW populations of H. petrunkevitchi.

Etymology: xomote, from the Native American Yowlumni tribal word for south, providing a name for the southern-most known Hypochilus populations in the California Sierra Nevada. The X of xomote is pronounced as a “breathy, hissy sort-of H” (Vera and Clark 2002). Language translation from the Tule River Yokuts Language Project (Vera and Clark 2002), representing the language of the Yowlumni Yokuts. Members of the larger Yokuts people historically occupied the southern San Joaquin Valley and adjacent Sierran foothills, including the Tule River basin; the Yowlumni occupied a smaller region near the valley outlet of the Kern River (see Fig. 9).

Erik Ciaccio, Andrew Debray and Marshal Hedin. 2022. Phylogenomics of Paleoendemic Lampshade Spiders (Araneae, Hypochilidae, Hypochilus), with the Description of A  New Species from Montane California. ZooKeys. 1086: 163-204. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1086.77190

newscenter.SDSU.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=78690

[Entomology • 2021] World Revision of Iteaphila (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae) with unbranched radial vein

Iteaphila bifida 

Sinclair & Shamshev, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1

Abstract

Iteaphila Zetterstedt is redefined to include species with both branched and unbranched radial vein (R4+5) on the basis of a morphological cladistic analysis and parsimony analysis of COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences. As a result, Anthepiscopus Becker is hypothesized as a junior synonym of Iteaphila and species of the Iteaphila setosa group are transferred to the new genus, Paraiteaphila gen. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: P. arundela (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. caucasica (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. italica (Loew, 1873) comb. nov., P. kubaniensis (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. merzi (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov. and P. setosa (Bezzi, 1924) comb. nov. These two genera are assigned to the family Iteaphilidae stat. rev.

                Thirty-five species of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein are revised, including 26 new species: bulbosa species group (I. beringiensis sp. nov., I. bifida sp. nov., I. recta sp. nov., I. tribulosa sp. nov.), macquarti species group (I. bartaki sp. nov., I. falki sp. nov., I. kyrgyzstanensis sp. nov., I. ribesii (Becker, 1891) comb. nov.), nitidula species group (I. longiphallus sp. nov.), nupta species group (I. arnaudi sp. nov., I. bayarea sp. nov., I. brooksi sp. nov., I. dichoptica sp. nov., I. flavipilosa (Coquillett, 1900) comb. nov., I. glabricula sp. nov., I. gracilis sp. nov., I. grandis sp. nov., I. lolo sp. nov., I. longipalpis (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. luteitibia sp. nov., I. nupta (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. sierrensis sp. nov., I. spinosa sp. nov., I. subnupta sp. nov.), oedalina species group (I. aktruensis sp. nov., I. incus sp. nov., I. miranda sp. nov., I. oedalina (Zetterstedt, 1838) comb. nov., I. polygyna (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. recurvata sp. nov., I. sakhalinensis sp. nov., I. zontaki (Nowicki, 1871) comb. nov.), stentor species group (I. parastentor sp. nov., I. stentor (Melander, 1902) comb. nov.) and unplaced to species group (I. caelebs (Becker, 1891) comb. nov.). The following new synonyms are proposed: I. flavicoxa (Melander, 1928) is a junior synonym of I. polygyna (Melander, 1928); I. hirsutus (Melander, 1928) is a junior synonym of I. oedalina (Zettersedt, 1838). Lectotypes are designated for the following species: I. flavipilosa, I. fraternella Zetterstedt, I. nigra Zetterstedt, I. nupta, I. oedalina, I. polygyna and I. ribesii. All species of Iteaphila with unbranched R4+5 are described, key to species presented, male terminalia illustrated, distributions plotted and flowers visited by these species are listed. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences were obtained for 18 identified Nearctic species of Iteaphila with both branched and unbranched R4+5.

Keywords: Diptera, Anthophily, Anthepiscopus, dance flies, DNA barcodes, Europe, Iteaphila group, Iteaphila setosa group, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North America, Russia, family status revised, new genus, new species

 

  Bradley J. Sinclair and Igor V. Shamshev. 2021. World Revision of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae). Zootaxa. 4968(1); 1–89. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1

[Entomology • 2021] Thirteen New Species of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from the United States, with New Host and Distribution Records for 32 Additional Species

 Phytomyza flavilonicera Eiseman & Lonsdale

in Eiseman, Lonsdale, ... et Palmer, 2021.

   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4931.1.1

 

Abstract

We present novel rearing records of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from throughout the United States. We describe leaf mines or other larval habits for 27 species, plus five others whose identification is tentative, and another five that are identified only to genus due to the absence of male specimens. We review host and distribution data for the known species, reporting 26 new host species records (including the first rearing records for Phytomyza flexuosa Spencer, P. notopleuralis Spencer, and (tentatively identified) Ophiomyia frosti Spencer) and 25 new state records (including the first USA records for P. krygeri Hering, P. thermarum (Griffiths), and (tentatively identified) Liriomyza cracentis Lonsdale). We also describe and provide natural history information for the following 13 new species: Haplopeodes loprestii Eiseman & Lonsdale, Liriomyza euphorbivora Eiseman & Lonsdale, L. hypopolymnia Eiseman & Lonsdale, Melanagromyza arnoglossi Eiseman & Lonsdale, M. gentianivora Eiseman & Lonsdale, M. hieracii Eiseman & Lonsdale, M. rudbeckiae Eiseman & Lonsdale, M. urticae Eiseman & Lonsdale, M. verbenivora Eiseman & Lonsdale, Ophiomyia nabali Eiseman & Lonsdale, O. rugula Eiseman & Lonsdale, Phytomyza flavilonicera Eiseman & Lonsdale, and P. triostevena Eiseman & Lonsdale.

Keywords: Diptera, leafminer, plant-insect interactions, rearing

Charles S. Eiseman, Owen Lonsdale, John van der Linden, Tracy S. Feldman and Michael W. Palmer. 2021. Thirteen New Species of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from the United States, with New Host and Distribution Records for 32 Additional Species. Zootaxa. 4931(1); 1-68.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4931.1.1

[Entomology • 2021] Revision of the Nearctic Genus Tritoxa Loew (Diptera: Ulidiidae)

1. Tritoxa flexa (Madison County, Tennessee); 2. T. incurva (Madison County, Tennessee);

3. Head of T. incurva;

6. Tritoxa californica sp. nov.; 7. T. cuneata; 8. T. decipiens sp. nov.; 9. T. flexa; 10. T. incurva; 11. T. pollinosa

in Sinclair, MacLeod & Wheeler, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4920.3.3

Abstract

The species of the Nearctic genus Tritoxa Loew are revised. Seven species of Tritoxa are recognized, including two new species: T. californica sp. nov. (type locality: near Spring Garden, California), T. cuneata Loew, T. decipiens sp. nov. (type locality: near Smithers, British Columbia), T. flexa (Wiedemann), T. incurva Loew, T. pollinosa Cole and T. ra Harriot. One species from California and Nevada based on female specimens remains undescribed. A key to all species is provided, species are illustrated and their distributions mapped. Wing patterns may be used to differentiate among all species, although confident identification of certain sympatric species requires confirmation by examination of male genitalia.

Keywords: Diptera, Ulidiidae, Tritoxa, Nearctic, new species, black onion fly

FIGURES 1–2. Photographs of living Tritoxa species.
1. Tritoxa flexa (Madison County, Tennessee); 2. T. incurva (Madison County, Tennessee).

Photographs @ Ken Childs. 

FIGURES 3–5. Heads of Tritoxa species, anterior view.
3. T. incurva; 4. T. pollinosa; 5. T. ra.

Abbreviation: orb s—orbital setae.

FIGURES 6–13. Wings of Tritoxa species.
6. Tritoxa californica sp. nov.; 7. T. cuneata; 8. T. decipiens sp. nov.; 9. T. flexa; 10. T. incurva; 11. T. pollinosa; 12. T. ra; 13. Tritoxa sp.

Abbreviations: d bd—discal band; dm—discal medial cell; dm-m—discal medial crossvein; r-m—radial medial crossvein; sbap bd—subapical band; sbb bd—subbasal band.

  Bradley J. Sinclair, Alyssa M. MacLeod and Terry A. Wheeler. 2021. Revision of the Nearctic Genus Tritoxa Loew (Diptera: Ulidiidae). Zootaxa. 4920(3); 359–379. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4920.3.3

[Entomology • 2018] Diversity of Saproxylic Dance Flies and Long-legged Flies (Diptera: Empidoidea) in A Temperate Deciduous Forest in Quebec, Canada

 Nearctic species of forest dwelling Empidoidea.
 1. Medetera sp., female ovipositing on a tree. 2. Neurigona sp., male. 
3. Hilara sp., male. 4. Chelipoda sp., female with prey. 
5. Platypalpus sp. (albiseta group), female. 6. Tachypeza sp., female.

in Cumming, Sinclair, Brooks, et al., 2018.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.2.10

photos by Stephen Marshall. 

Abstract
A large diversity of saproxylic Empidoidea from a temperate deciduous forest in southern Quebec is documented. Adults of 43 empidoid species representing 19 genera in 12 subfamilies and three families were collected from in situ sealed emergence traps placed over decayed logs of American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall). The results of this technique give a clear indication of the saproxylic larval and pupal habitat of these species. The importance of Empidoidea as larval predators in decayed wood niches is noted.

Keywords: Diptera, Dolichopodidae, Empididae, Hybotidae, emergence trap, American beech, sugar maple, larval habitat

 Nearctic species of forest dwelling Empidoidea.
 1. Dolichopodidae, Medetera sp., female ovipositing on a tree. 2. Dolichopodidae, Neurigona sp., male. 
3. Empididae, Hilara sp., male. 4. Empididae, Chelipoda sp., female with prey. 
5. Hybotidae, Platypalpus sp. (albiseta group), female. 6. Hybotidae, Tachypeza sp., female.

photos by Stephen Marshall. 

Jeffrey M. Cumming, Bradley J. Sinclair, Scott E. Brooks, Julia J. Mlynarek and Terry A. Wheeler. 2018. Diversity of Saproxylic Dance Flies and Long-legged Flies (Diptera: Empidoidea) in A Temperate Deciduous Forest in Quebec, Canada. Zootaxa. 4521(2); 287–293.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.2.10

[Entomology • 2020] New and Unusual Host records for North American and South American Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Sphictostethus gravesii  

in Kurczewski, West, Waichert, et al., 2020. 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4891.1.1

Abstract

New and unusual host records for 133 species and subspecies of Pompilidae predominantly from the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America are presented in modified taxonomic order. First-time species host records are given for Calopompilus Ashmead, Pepsis Fabricius, Hemipepsis Dahlbom, Priocnessus Banks, Entypus Dahlbom, Pompilocalus Roig-Alsina, Sphictostethus Kohl, Auplopus Spinola, Ageniella Banks, Eragenia Banks, Aporus Spinola, Poecilopompilus Ashmead, Tachypompilus Ashmead, Anoplius Dufour, Priochilus (Fabricius) and Notocyphus Smith. New host spider families are introduced for Calopompilus, Pepsis, Hemipepsis, Priocnessus, Entypus, Cryptocheilus Panzer, Priocnemis Schiødte, Auplopus, Ageniella, Eragenia, Aporus, Tachypompilus, Anoplius, Priochilus and Notocyphus. Eight host spider families are reported from the Western Hemisphere for the first time: Halonoproctidae (Notocyphus dorsalis dorsalis Cresson); Dipluridae (Pepsis pretiosa Dahlbom, P. montezuma Smith, P. infuscate Spinola, P. atripennis Fabricius, P. martini Vardy, Priocnessus vancei Waichert and Pitts); Nemesiidae (Pepsis pallidolimbata Lucas, P. viridis Lepeletier, P. spp., Pompilocalus hirticeps (Guérin), Sphictostethus gravesii (Haliday), S. striatulus Roig-Alsina, Priocnemis oregona Banks); Barychelidae (Eragenia sp.); Paratropididae (Pepsis stella Montet); Trechaleidae (Hemipepsis toussainti (Banks), Entypus unifasciatus cressoni (Banks), Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say), Tachypompilus unicolor cerinus Evans, Priochilus gloriosum (Cresson); Desidae (Ageniella accepta (Cresson), Sphictostethus isodontus Roig-Alsina) and Selenopidae (Priochilus scrupulum (Fox), Tachypompilus erubescens (Taschenberg) or xanthopterus (Rohwer)). The first known host records for the rare South American pompilid genera Chirodamus (Lycosidae: Lycosa sp.) and Herbstellus (Nemesiidae: Diplothelopsis cf bonariensis Mello-Leitão) are presented.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Araneae, Neotropics, Nearctic, parasitoid, predatoid

 Frank E. Kurczewski, Rick C. West, Cecilia Waichert, Kelly C. Kissane, Darrell Ubick and James P. Pitts. 2020. New and Unusual Host records for North American and South American Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Zootaxa. 4891(1); 1-112. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4891.1.1

[Entomology • 2020] A Conspectus of Neotropical Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea)

Chaetocoelia sp.  

in Gaimari & Silva, 2020.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4862.1.1 

Abstract

A fully annotated catalog of genus- and species-group names of Neotropical Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea) is presented, providing details of references to these names in literature, and providing additional details such as distributions, generic combinations, synonymies, misspellings and emendations, information on types, notes on unusual situations, etc. As this catalog is meant to supplement the older Catalog of the Diptera of America North of Mexico, to complete the cataloging of the New World Lauxaniidae, “Neotropical” is herein inclusive of everything south of the United States, and the Nearctic parts of Mexico are not separately distinguished. The catalog is organized alphabetically within each of the three lauxaniid subfamilies, Eurychoromyiinae, Homoneurinae and Lauxaniinae, treating 91 available genus-group names, of which 77 represent valid genera. In the species-group, the catalog treats 441 available species-group names, of which 391 represent valid Neotropical lauxaniid species, 39 are invalid, three are valid but extralimital lauxaniids, five are valid but removed from Lauxaniidae, and two are new replacement names for two homonyms outside Lauxaniidae. The following nine new genera are described, based on previously described species: Elipolambda Gaimari & Silva (type species, Sapromyza lopesi Shewell, 1989), Griphoneuromima Silva & Gaimari (type species, Sapromyza frontalis Macquart, 1844b), Meraina Silva & Gaimari (type species, Lauxania ferdinandi Frey, 1919), Myzaprosa Gaimari & Silva (type species, Myzaprosa mallochi Gaimari & Silva), Paradeceia Silva & Gaimari (type species, Sapromyza sororia Williston, 1896b), Pseudodeceia Silva & Gaimari (type species, Lauxania leptoptera Frey, 1919), Sericominettia Gaimari & Silva (type species, Minettia argentiventris Malloch, 1928), Zamyprosa Gaimari & Silva (type species, Sapromyza semiatra Malloch, 1933), and Zargopsinettia Gaimari & Silva (type species, Minettia verticalis Malloch, 1928). The following four new replacement names in the species-group replace junior homonyms: Myzaprosa mallochi Gaimari & Silva (for Sapromyza spinigera Malloch, 1933, nec Malloch, 1925), Pseudogriphoneura mallochi Silva & Gaimari (for Minettia infuscata Malloch, 1928, nec Sciomyza infuscata Wulp, 1897), Xenochaetina hendeli Silva & Gaimari (for Allogriphoneura robusta Hendel, 1936, nec Helomyza robusta Walker, 1858), Zamyprosa macquarti Gaimari & Silva (for Sciomyza nigripes Blanchard, 1854, nec Sapromyza nigripes Macquart, 1844). The following six genus-group names are new synonyms: Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925 (= Xenochaetina Malloch, 1923), Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995 (= Stenolauxania Malloch, 1926), Haakonia Curran, 1942 (= Xenochaetina Malloch, 1923), Homoeominettia Broadhead, 1989 (= Allominettia Hendel, 1925), Paraphysoclypeus Papp & Silva, 1995 (= Physoclypeus Hendel, 1907), Tibiominettia Hendel, 1936 (= Allominettia Hendel, 1925). The following 12 species-group names are new synonyms: Chaetocoelia banksi Curran, 1942 (= Chaetocoelia excepta (Walker, 1853)), Chaetocoelia tripunctata Malloch, 1926 (= Chaetocoelia excepta (Walker, 1853)), Minettia semifulva Malloch, 1933 (= Zamyprosa nigriventris (Blanchard, 1854)), Pseudogriphoneura scutellata Curran, 1934a (= Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza apta Walker, 1861 (= Chaetominettia mactans (Fabricius, 1787)), Sapromyza brasiliensis Walker, 1853 (= Chaetominettia corollae (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza semiatra subsp. remissa Malloch, 1933 (= Zamyprosa semiatra (Malloch, 1933)), Sapromyza sordida Williston, 1896b (= Neogriphoneura sordida (Wiedemann, 1830)), Setulina geminata subsp. quadripunctata Malloch, 1941, subsp. tripunctata Malloch, 1941 & subsp. verticalis Malloch, 1941 (= Setulina geminata (Fabricius, 1805)), Tibiominettia setitibia Hendel, 1932 (= Allominettia assimilis (Malloch, 1926)). The following 96 lauxaniid species-group names are in new combinations: Allominettia approximata (Malloch, 1928; Deutominettia Hendel, 1925), Allominettia assimilis (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Allominettia rubescens (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Allominettia woldae (Broadhead, 1989; Homoeominettia Broadhead, 1989), Camptoprosopella sigma (Hendel, 1910; Procrita Hendel, 1908), Camptoprosopella verena (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Dryosapromyza pirioni (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Elipolambda duodecimvittata (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Elipolambda lopesi (Shewell, 1989; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Elipolambda picrula (Williston, 1897; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Griphoneuromima frontalis (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Homoneura maculipennis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Lauxanostegana albispina (Albuquerque, 1959; Steganopsis Meijere 1910), Marmarodeceia claripennis (Curran, 1934a; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Melanomyza nigerrima (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Meraina ferdinandi (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Minettia altera (Curran, 1942; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Minettia duplicata (Lynch Arribálzaga, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia lateritia (Rondani, 1863; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia lupulinoides (Williston, 1897; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia pallens (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia remota (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia setosa (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa chiloensis (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa emmesa (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa triloba (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neodecia albovittata (Loew, 1862; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Neodecia bivittata (Curran, 1928b; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neodecia flavipennis (Curran, 1928b; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neodecia vittifacies (Curran, 1931; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neominettia eronis (Curran, 1934a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neominettia lebasii (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neominettia melanaspis (Wiedemann, 1830; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Neoxangelina congruens (Hendel, 1910; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Neoxangelina facialis (Wiedemann, 1830; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Neoxangelina flavipes (Hendel, 1926; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Paracestrotus albipes (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Paradeceia incidens (Curran, 1934a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Paradeceia shannoni (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Paradeceia sororia (Williston, 1896b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Physegenua annulata (Macquart, 1844b; Ephydra Fallén, 1810), Physoclypeus nigropleura (Papp & Silva, 1995; Paraphysoclypeus Papp & Silva, 1995), Poecilohetaerus suavis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilolycia blanchardi (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilolycia lineatocollis (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia aibonito (Curran, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia bipunctata (Say, 1829; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia evittata (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia mona (Curran, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia nigropunctata (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia plantaris (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia quichuana (Brèthes, 1922; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia schwarzi (Malloch, 1928; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia sonax (Giglio-Tos, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia thomsonii (Lynch-Arribálzaga, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia triseriata (Coquillett, 1904a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Pseudocalliope albomarginata (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Pseudodeceia leptoptera (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Pseudogriphoneura albipes (Wiedemann, 1830; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Pseudominettia argyrostoma (Wiedemann, 1830; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Ritaemyia unifasciata (Macquart, 1835; Tephritis Latreille, 1804), Sciosapromyza fuscinervis (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sciosapromyza limbinerva (Rondani, 1848; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Sciosapromyza scropharia (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Scutominettia guyanensis (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Sericominettia argentiventris (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sericominettia aries (Curran, 1942; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Sericominettia holosericea (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Sericominettia nigra (Curran, 1934a; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Sericominettia velutina (Walker, 1853; Helomyza Fallén, 1820a), Stenolauxania flava (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania fusca (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania longicornus (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania nigrifemuris (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania pectinicornis (Papp & Silva, 1995; Bacilloflagellomera Papp & Silva, 1995), Trivialia nigrifrontata (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Trivialia scutellaris (Williston, 1896b; Phortica Schiner, 1862), Trivialia venusta (Williston, 1896b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Xenochaetina annuliventris (Hendel, 1926; Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925), Xenochaetina glabella (Becker, 1895; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Xenochaetina nigra (Williston, 1896b; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Xenochaetina phacosoma (Hendel, 1926; Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925), Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Xenochaetina robusta (Walker, 1858; Helomyza Fallén, 1820a), Zamyprosa dichroa (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Zamyprosa edwardsi (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa ferruginea (Macquart, 1844b; Opomyza Fallén, 1820b), Zamyprosa fulvescens (Blanchard, 1854; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Zamyprosa fulvicornis (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa micropyga (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa nigripes (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa nigriventris (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa parvula (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa semiatra (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa seminigra (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Zargopsinettia verticalis (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830). The following 42 species have lectotype designations herein: Allogriphoneura nigromaculata Hendel, 1925 (synonym of Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805)), Allogriphoneura robusta Hendel, 1936 (= Xenochaetina hendeli Silva & Gaimari), Allominettia maculifrons Hendel, 1925 (synonym of Allominettia xanthiceps (Williston, 1897)), Blepharolauxania trichocera Hendel, 1925, Chaetocoelia palans Giglio-Tos, 1893, Euminettia zuercheri Hendel, 1933b (Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Griphoneura triangulata Hendel, 1926, Lauxania albovittata Loew, 1862 (Neodecia Malloch, in Malloch & McAtee, 1924), Lauxania imbuta Wiedemann, 1830 (Griphoneura Schiner, 1868), Lauxania lutea Wiedemann, 1830 (Neominettia Hendel, 1925), Lauxania ruficornis Macquart, 1851a (synonym of Xenochaetina flavipennis (Fabricius, 1805)), Neominettia fumosa Hendel, 1926 (synonym of Neominettia costalis (Fabricius, 1805)), Physegenua ferruginea Schiner, 1868, Physegenua vittata Macquart, 1848a/b, Pseudogriphoneura cormoptera Hendel, 1907, Sapromyza angustipennis Williston, 1896b (Chaetocoelia Giglio-Tos, 1893), Sapromyza distinctissima Schiner, 1868 (Chaetocoelia Giglio-Tos, 1893), Sapromyza exul Williston, 1896b (Neodecia Malloch, in Malloch & McAtee, 1924), Sapromyza gigas Schiner, 1868 (Dryosapromyza Hendel, 1933a), Sapromyza ingrata Williston, 1896b (Poecilominettia Hendel, 1932), Sapromyza latelimbata Macquart, 1855a (synonym of Chaetominettia corollae (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza lineatocollis Blanchard, 1854 (Poecilolycia Shewell, 1986), Sapromyza longipennis Blanchard, 1854 (= Minettia duplicata (Lynch Arribálzaga, 1893)), Sapromyza nigerrima Becker, 1919 (Melanomyza Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza nigriventris Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari & Silva), Sapromyza octovittata Williston, 1896b (Poecilominettia Hendel, 1932), Sapromyza ornata Schiner, 1868 (Neoxangelina Hendel, 1933a), Sapromyza pallens Blanchard, 1854 (Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sapromyza parvula Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari & Silva), Sapromyza picrula Williston, 1897 (Elipolambda), Sapromyza puella Williston, 1896b (Trivialia Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza sororia Williston, 1896b (Paradeceia Silva & Gaimari), Sapromyza venusta Williston, 1896b (Trivialia Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza xanthiceps Williston, 1897 (Allominettia Hendel, 1925), Scatophaga scropharia Fabricius, 1805 (Sciosapromyza Hendel, 1933a), Sciomyza fulvescens Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari & Silva), Sciomyza melanaspis Wiedemann, 1830 (Neominettia Hendel, 1925), Sciomyza nigripes Blanchard, 1854 (= Zamyprosa macquarti Gaimari & Silva), Sciomyza obscuripennis Bigot, 1857 (Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Scutolauxania piloscutellaris Hendel, 1925, Trigonometopus albifrons Knab, 1914, Trigonometopus rotundicornis Williston, 1896b. The following three species are removed from being recognized as part of the Neotropical fauna: Homoneura americana (Wiedemann, 1830; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Homoneura maculipennis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilohetaerus suavis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810). The following four species are removed from the family, three of which are put into the following new combinations: Senopterina cyanea (Fabricius, 1805; Lauxania Latreille, 1804) (Platystomatidae), Dihoplopyga delicatula (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810) (Heleomyzidae), Pherbellia geniculata (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810) (Sciomyzidae). The remaining species, Sapromyza fuscipes Macquart, 1844b, is of uncertain family placement within the Muscoidea. The following new replacement names for species of Platystomatidae were necessary due to homonymy: Senopterina gigliotosi Gaimari & Silva (for Bricinniella cyanea Giglio-Tos, 1893, nec Lauxania cyanea Fabricius, 1805), and Rivellia macquarti Gaimari & Silva (for Tephritis unifasciata Macquart, 1843: 381, nec Macquart, 1835: 465).

Keywords: new genus, new synonym, new combination, homonym, new name, lectotype designation, distribution, nomenclature, type deposition, type locality, Chloropidae, Heleomyzidae, Platystomatidae, Sciomyzidae, Diptera

Stephen D. Gaimari and Vera C. Silva. 2020. A Conspectus of Neotropical Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea). Zootaxa. 4862(1); 1-217. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4862.1.1

[Entomology • 2020] Microgaster godzilla • An Unusual New Parasitoid Wasp Species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Japan which Dives Underwater to Parasitize Its Caterpillar Host (Lepidoptera, Crambidae)

 

Microgaster godzilla Fernandez-Triana & Kamino

in Fernandez-Triana, Kamino, Maeto, Yoshiyasu & Hirai, 2020.

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.79.56162

Abstract

A new species of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoid wasp, Microgaster godzilla Fernandez-Triana & Kamino, is described from Japan. From a biological and morphological perspective this is a very unusual species. It represents only the third known microgastrine to be aquatic, and the first one to be found entering the water. The female wasp searches for its hosts, aquatic larvae of Elophila turbata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), mostly by walking over floating plants, but occasionally diving underwater for several seconds to force the larva out of its case, when it is quickly parasitized (parasitization was always observed above water). The unique searching behaviour of M. godzilla as well as its parasitization of aquatic larvae was filmed and it is presented here. The wasp has simple tarsal claws, which are elongate and strongly curved, similar to those found in the related genus Hygroplitis; they seem to represent an adaptation for gripping to the substrate when entering the water. The new species is described based on morphological, molecular (DNA barcoding), biological and ethological data. Additionally, we provide detailed diagnoses to recognize M. godzilla from all other described species of Microgaster and Hygroplitis in the Palearctic, Nearctic and Oriental regions.

Keywords: aquatic parasitoid, biology, Lepidoptera, Microgastrinae, Nearctic, Oriental, Palearctic, parasitoid behaviour, taxonomy

Figure 1. Microgaster godzilla, female holotype.
 A habitus dorsal B habitus lateral C wings D head, frontal E details of antenna F head and mesosoma, lateral G head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Microgaster godzilla, Fernandez-Triana & Kamino, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis: Among all described species of Microgaster this species can be distinguished because of its unique combination of morphological characters. Color patterns are distinctive, especially having all legs almost entirely yellow (only apical 0.1 of metafemur, apical 0.3 of metatibia and metatarsus are dark brown to black), tegula dark brown, pterostigma brown, and metasoma dorsally with T1–T2 black and T3+ orange-yellow. Very few Microgaster species have all coxae yellow, and then the color of the tegula and/or metasoma dorsally is usually different. Beyond color, the combination of flagellomeres with relatively distinct setae (bristly), eyes convergent ventrally, face dull due to transverse, rugose sculpture (including indication of vermiculate rugosities towards sides), notauli barely marked by impression or sculpture (and overall sculpture of anteromesoscutum with fine and relatively shallow punctures), scutellar disc mostly smooth, mesopleuron without strong crenulated sulcus, T2 and T3 about same length, T3+ smooth, all tarsi with last segment enlarged, and large but simple tarsal claws are also of diagnostic value. Microgaster godzilla shares some features with the described species of Hygroplitis, most of which also have light-coloured legs, including all coxae in many species, large tarsal claws, and last segments of tarsi enlarged. However, most Hygroplitis species have the body depressed, notauli are strongly marked, antennae have three rows of placodes and the mesopleuron has a strong, crenulated sulcus.

Although there is no available key that covers all described Hygroplitis and Microgaster, we found that all Palearctic, Nearctic and Oriental species previously described in those two genera differ from the diagnosis provided above for M. godzilla by at least one (usually more) characters. To facilitate future work on the genus we provide one-to-one comparisons of M. godzilla with every other previously described species of those two genera in the biogeographical regions relevant to the new species (see Suppl. material 5 for detailed comparisons).

Distribution: The species has only been collected in the prefectures of Osaka and Kyoto in Honshu, Japan.

Etymology: The species is named after Godzilla (Japanese: ゴジラ, Hepburn: Gōjira), a fictional monster (kaiju) that became an icon after the 1954 Japanese film of the same name and many films afterwards. The wasp name is intended to respectfully honour one of the most recognizable symbols of Japanese popular culture worldwide. The wasp’s parasitization behaviour bears some loose resemblance to the kaiju character, in the sense that the wasp (after diving underwater to search for its host, a moth caterpillar) suddenly emerges from the water (to parasitize the host), similar to how Godzilla suddenly emerges from the water in the movies. Additionally, Godzilla has sometimes been associated, albeit in different ways, with Mothra (Japanese: モスラ, Hepburn: Mosura) another kaiju that is typically portrayed as a larva (caterpillar) or adult moth.

 Jose Fernandez-Triana, Tetsuyuki Kamino, Kaoru Maeto, Yutaka Yoshiyasu and Norio Hirai. 2020. Microgaster godzilla (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), An Unusual New Species from Japan which Dives Underwater to Parasitize Its Caterpillar Host (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Acentropinae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 79: 15-26. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.79.56162

[Entomology • 2020] Biology, Immature Stages, and Systematics of Snail-killing Flies of the Genus Colobaea (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with Overviews of Aspects of the Tribe Sciomyzini

Colobaea sp. 

in Bratt, Knutson, et al. 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4840.1.1

Abstract

All reared larvae of flies of the genus Colobaea Zetterstedt, 1837 (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), which comprises 15 valid species, kill and consume freshwater nonoperculate pulmonate snails. New data are presented on the geographic distribution, biology, morphology of immature stages, and classification of Colobaea. Life cycle information is provided from field data and laboratory rearings for four of the 11 Palearctic species—C. bifasciella (Fallén), C. deemingi Knutson & Bratt n.sp., C. pectoralis (Zetterstedt), and C. punctata (Lundbeck)—and for one of the three Nearctic species, C. americana Steyskal. Colobaea bifasciella is shown to be one of the most highly specialized parasitoid Sciomyzini, laying eggs on shells of Galba truncatula (O.F. Müller) and Stagnicola palustris (O.F. Müller) in temporary, intermittent, or vernal semiterrestrial situations. Each larva feeds in only one host snail, which is not killed until shortly before the larva completes development. Puparia are strongly modified to fit tightly within the shell of the host. The other reared species are shown to be less specialized than C. bifasciella, with eggs being laid upon vegetation, the larvae behaving as parasitoids-predators-saprophages of exposed aquatic snails, and the puparia of all four species being adapted to a lesser degree than C. bifasciella to fitting within the shell of the host snail. In nature, C. americana attacks Gyraulus parvus (Say) and Physa Draparnaud sp.; C. pectoralis attacks Anisus vortex (L.) and Bathyomphalus contortus (L.); and C. punctata attacks Gyraulus albus O.F. Müller, Lymnaea “peregra,” Planorbarius corneus (L.), and Planorbis planorbis (L.). In the laboratory, these species also attacked and consumed other freshwater nonoperculate snails; C. deemingi was reared on Gyraulus intermixtus (Mousson) and Radix gedrosiana (Say), and an adult fly of the Palearctic C. distincta (Meigen) emerged from a puparium found in the shell of Anisus spirorbis (L.) collected in nature. Described and figured are eggs, larvae of all three instars, and puparia of the five laboratory-reared species. To provide perspective on features of Colobaea, diagnostic features are summarized of the immature stages of the Sciomyzini and the suprageneric categories of Sciomyzidae. The biogeography of the tribe Sciomyzini is presented, along with details of known geographical distribution. The classification and phylogenetic position of Colobaea are discussed. Included are a checklist of all known taxa of Colobaea, maps of geographic distribution, and a key to adults of the 15 valid species.

Keywords: Diptera, Acalyptratae, Sciomyzoidea, snails, life cycles, morphology, immature stages, taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogenetic relationships

 

Albertus D. Bratt, Lloyd V. Knutson, William L. Murphy and Anthony A. Daniels. 2020. Biology, Immature Stages, and Systematics of Snail-killing Flies of the Genus Colobaea (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with Overviews of Aspects of the Tribe Sciomyzini. Zootaxa. 4840(1); 1–64. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4840.1.1