In response to the growing challenges of sustainable agriculture and the preservation of functional biodiversity, robust entomological monitoring protocols now require large-scale sampling, leading to significant operational costs. In this context, the adoption of cost-effective alternatives to preservation liquids is crucial. Vinegar, propylene glycol, and brine are three solutions commonly used in the literature, raising questions regarding the comparability of data across studies. We compared the effectiveness of vinegar, propylene glycol, and brine in Barber traps for the census of carabids (Carabidae), key auxiliaries in agroecosystems. Trapping campaigns were conducted in 2023 across 20 sugar beet plots (vinegar vs. propylene glycol) and in 2024 across 17 winter cereal plots (vinegar vs. brine), following standardized protocols. The results indicate that traps containing vinegar captured significantly more individuals overall than the other liquids, while maintaining a comparable species diversity and assemblage composition to those obtained with propylene glycol. In contrast, brine showed more variable captures compared to the other liquids and should be excluded for more reliable surveys. These findings suggest that vinegar, as an economical option, represents a promising alternative to propylene glycol for carabid census. However, the choice of preservation liquid should align with the specific objectives of each study: propylene glycol remains preferable for specimen preservation, particularly for DNA analyses, while vinegar offers an affordable solution for studies not requiring such analyses.
The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina var. nigrithorax, is an invasive generalist predator that preys heavily on honeybees and other pollinators. Native to eastern China, northern Vietnam, and foothills of the Himalaya, it has invaded and now inhabits most of South Korea and western Europe. Here we summarize discoveries of V. velutina documented for the first time during 2025 in New Zealand (the first confirmed records from the southern hemisphere), Algeria (the first records from Africa), Northern Ireland, Denmark, and several European islands (Sardinia, the Azores, and the Isles of Scilly). We also review recent changes in the distribution of V. velutina elsewhere in Europe and North America. These range expansions highlight the high reproductive rate of the species; the extensive dispersal of young queens, both naturally and via shipments of goods by sea and over land; the ability to establish new populations despite low genetic variability; and the potential of V. velutina to harm pollinators and pollination systems.
The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus transmits the phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' and the bacterium 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' to various agricultural crops and vegetables, mainly in Germany and neighbouring countries. We collected headspace volatiles from the wild potato species Solanum bulbocastanum and tested antennal responses of P. leporinus using gas-chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Two identified compounds, nonanal and decanal, were then tested on female antennae using electroantennography (EAG). Both compounds elicited significant dose-dependent EAG responses. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three sensillum types on the pedicel (chaetica, campaniform-like, plate-organs) of both female and male specimens. Transmission electron microscopy showed two coeloconic sensilla inside the Bourgoin organ in ultrathin antennal sections of a female. This is the first report of electrophysiologically active plant volatiles and antennal ultrastructure for this vector.
The genus Oedipoda, comprising 29 species and 16 subspecies, has recently undergone a molecular revision in the Mediterranean, which significantly impacted some Italian taxa. In this study, we aimed to reassess the Italian species of Oedipoda using a molecular approach, specifically to: (a) clarify the unknown phylogenetic affi nities of O. cynthiae; (b) define the distribution ranges of O. germanica and O. pentagonalis, considered as vicariants in continental and peninsular Italy; and (c) provide an updated identification key to the Italian species. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, based on two mitochondrial markers (12S, NDS) and one nuclear marker (ITS2), revealed that Oedipoda cynthiae is the sister species of O. charpentieri, indicating an intriguing disjunct biogeographic pattern. O. germanica and O. pentagonalis appear to be allopatric, although the range of O. germanica extends southward to the Po River. Interestingly, two specimens morphologically assigned to O. germanica and O. pentagonalis were nested within the clade of O. coerulea, a species not currently reported from Italy, highlighting a discrepancy between morphological and molecular data that requires further investigation. Finally, our results show that O. caerulescens sardeti does not represent a geographically coherent unit and should not be considered a valid subspecies. We therefore propose the following synonymy: O. caerulescens sardeti Defaut, 2006 = O. caerulescens caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758), syn. n.
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 fl ies. The stark contrast between adult and larval morphology suggests stage-specifi c 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 fi rst confi rmed termitophilous ladybird beetle and indicates that termite nests may support previously unrecognized ecological associations within Coccinellidae.
Saproxylic beetles are a key component of forest biodiversity and important indicators of forest naturalness, deadwood continuity and habitat quality. Floodplain forests with old oak stands are among the most species-rich forest ecosystems in Europe, yet data on saproxylic beetle assemblages from such habitats remain scarce in south-eastern Europe. In this study, saproxylic beetles were investigated in three fl oodplain forest communities within Kopa & ccaron;ki rit Nature Park (eastern Croatia) using flight-intercept, pitfall and aerial attractant traps during the 2014 vegetation season. A total of 64 saproxylic beetle species from 14 families were recorded. Species richness and abundance were highest in oak-hornbeam forests, intermediate in poplar forests and lowest in willow-dominated stands, which nevertheless supported structurally distinct assemblages. Diversity indices and ordination analyses revealed a strong gradient in community structure from oak-dominated to willow-dominated fl oodplain forests. Flight-intercept traps were the most efficient sampling method, whereas other trap types provided complementary information on habitat-specifi c taxa. Several species listed on the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles were recorded, including the Natura 2000 species Lucanus cervus and Cucujus cinnaberinus. Of particular importance was the detection of Rhysodes sulcatus, which triggered targeted faunistic surveys that confi rmed its presence at additional Croatian localities and led to its formal inclusion in the Croatian Natura 2000 species list. Although the data were collected in 2014, they provide a valuable baseline for assessing saproxylic beetle diversity in natural fl oodplain forests and for the development of national Natura 2000 monitoring programmes. The results highlight the exceptional conservation value of Kopa & ccaron;ki rit as one of the best-preserved floodplain forest systems in the Continental biogeographical region.
Latheticus oryzae Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a cosmopolitan secondary pest of stored products, yet it remains an understudied species. In this study we examined the courtship and mating sequence of L. oryzae, as well as the behavioral lateralization, exploring its influence on copulation success. Males of L. oryzae exhibited a left-biased tendency across various phases of mating (i.e., approach of the female, mounting, departure). The side of approach and departure significantly affected copulation success rates, in contrast to the mounting side. Left-biased L. oryzae males achieved higher mating success and demonstrated significantly shorter mate detection and copulation attempt durations compared to males of the other directions (back, front, and right). From a control perspective, the strong directional tendency of L. oryzae at the mating behavior may offer novel opportunities for pest management strategies that exploit lateralization-based disruptions. Overall, these findings establish the first comprehensive description of the mating procedure of L. oryzae and highlight the functional significance of behavioral asymmetries in the copulation success of stored-product pests.
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972), is native to tropical and subtropical South America but has become a highly invasive species in parts of the southern United States, the Caribbean, and southern China. RIFA has caused significant ecological disruption through rapid colonization and aggressive behavior, affecting ecosystems and human health. This study aimed to examine the impact of different variables on the distribution of S. invicta throughout China and to predict its risk areas under the Current (1970-2000) and future climate change scenarios (2070s) using the ACCESS1-0 and BCC-CSM1-1 climate models. According to the MaxEnt model, under current climatic conditions, the total risk area of S. invicta was 2.554 million km2, covering 27.52% of the study area. In the 2070s, high-risk areas are projected to increase by 1.72-fold and 1.68-fold under ACCESS1-0 and BCC-CSM1-1 scenarios, respectively. Precipitation of driest month (Bio14), mean temperature of coldest quarter (Bio11), mean temperature of warmest quarter (Bio10), pH of water, topography, mean diurnal range (Bio2), and soil organic carbon were the main factors influencing the distribution of S. invicta. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to assess key determinants influencing S. invicta distribution. The GLM identified elevated land surface temperature, moderate soil moisture, organic carbon, vegetation cover, topographic diversity, and high urbanization as key factors promoting S. invicta proliferation, while adverse soil conditions limited suitable habitats. This research provides significant clues about the current distribution patterns of S. invicta and the influence of climate change, soil, physical and biological land properties, and anthropogenic activities on its distribution. Additional measures are necessary to control and prevent the continued spread of S. invicta in China.
Whilst common across the animal kingdom, the evolution of cannibalism remains poorly understood. Part of the problem is that the number of taxonomic groups in which the evolution of cannibalism has been studied in detail is limited, leaving us with only patchy data to explore trends across species. In this study, we consider within and between species variation in cannibalism in four species of seed bug with similar but not identical ecologies. Looking first at the influence of developmental stage on cannibalism, we show that cannibalism is generally most common in juvenile stages of these species, being especially pronounced in some cases early in life (when further dispersal is likely typically needed to locate host plants). Closer examination of one of these species, Spilostethus pandurus, suggests that cannibalism has evolved specifically as an adaptation to early life survival and not a general trait for starvation resistance across the lifetime. Cannibalism propensity was also observed to depend on early life experience of conspecifics in this species, suggesting a role for environmental variation in shaping this behaviour. These results highlight that if we are to understand trends in cannibalism across the animal kingdom, we must consider the ecological causes of variation in cannibalism within and between species.
Carabids are important natural biocontrol agents for pest regulation in agricultural landscapes. Their role in the ecosystem is related to functional traits, which are themselves filtered by both the degree of habitat disturbance and the landscape composition and configuration that distribute ecological resources. Here we aim at sorting out the influences of habitat and landscape context on carabid traits in permanent grasslands and winter cereal crops (wheat or barley). We sampled carabids in adjacent grasslands and cereal fields in three agricultural plains of south-eastern France. We analysed the links between carabid traits and their occurrence in the studied habitats using regression models. We also characterised the influences of habitat and landscape context on trait distribution using multivariate analyses. Polyphagous species were more likely than others to be shared by both adjacent grassland and cereal fields. Granivorous carabids were strongly related to grasslands, while predatory and polyphagous species were more often captured exclusively in cereal crops when exclusive to one habitat. Small apterous carabids were more likely to be found in grasslands only. Concerning the influence of the landscape, polyphagous species were related to cereal crops surrounded by higher grassland coverage or lower compositional heterogeneity. Smaller carabids were more likely to be found in the vicinity of high grassland coverage, and apterous carabids in grassland-dominated landscapes. Grasslands thus not only provide resource and habitat complementation for generalist carabid species from neighbouring croplands, but they also host distinctive species showing particular traits. It is therefore important to maintain or restore grasslands in agricultural landscapes to support species and functional diversity in farmland.
The scale insect family Rhizoecidae in Germany has historically been documented as comprising six species from two genera: Rhizoecus albidus Goux, 1942, Rhizoecus cacticans (Hambleton, 1946), Rhizoecus franconiae Schmutterer, 1956, Ripersiella caesii (Schmutterer, 1956), Ripersiella halophila (Hardy, 1868), and Ripersiella hibisci (Kawai & Takagi, 1971). To assess changes in this biodiversity, we collected 37 samples from potted plants across the botanical gardens of Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. Species identifications were conducted using integrative taxonomy, combining morphological analysis of slide-mounted specimens, molecular data from the COI region, and ecological information. Our study identified eight species: Geococcus coffeae Green, 1933, Rhizoecus arabicus Hambleton, 1976, Rh. cacticans, Rhizoecus dianthi Green, 1926, Rhizoecus nemoralis (Hambleton, 1946), Rhizoecus falcifer Kunckel d'Herculais, 1878, Rhizoecus simplex (Hambleton, 1946) and Ripersiella aloes (Williams & Pellizzari, 1997). Except for Rh. cacticans, all are newly recorded for Germany, increasing the total German Rhizoecidae fauna to 13 species across three genera. We provide detailed morphometric redescriptions for Rh. arabicus, Rh. franconiae, Rh. simplex, and Ri. caesii based on type material, along with morphological notes for the other species. The study also resolves nomenclatural issues for Rh. franconiae and Ri. hibisci designating Lectotypes and reports 61 new host records for eight species. We present a taxonomic key for the updated list of Rhizoecidae species recorded in Germany. This research significantly revises the understanding of rhizoecid diversity in the country, revealing that the fauna is more than twice as rich as previously known.
Climate change is seriously threatening biodiversity and, especially, insects because their biological cycles are highly dependent on environmental conditions. We studied (1) how climate characterised by droughts and heatwaves affected the butterfly assemblage at four sampled sites in Campo de Montiel (central Spain) over three consecutive years; and (2) the differences in the assemblage abundance, species richness, density, and diversity among sites that represent a variety of land use/cover types. Sites were sampled with transects using the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme methodology (Pollard & Yates, 1993). A total of 8,275 butterflies and 69 species were sampled across sites and years. Sites were well sampled in the three years according to species richness estimators and accumulation curves. The relationship between the mean length of dry spells and butterfly abundance was negative and significant at all sites. However, heatwaves did not affect butterfly abundance and species richness. There were no significant differences in the ecological parameters studied among sites. Mediterranean forest transects tended to have higher values of ecological parameters than those dominated by more degraded vegetation, pine plantations and cropland intensification. Butterfly assemblage and diversity were positively related to the presence of semi-natural habitat with traditional agricultural and livestock uses. Our surveys recorded Polyommatus celina for the first time in Castilla-La Mancha. Two endangered and endemic species, Polyommatus violetae and Kretania hesperica, were recorded at the site with higher Mediterranean forest cover, which increases the conservation value of this site. Maintaining semi-natural habitats and traditional farming systems may allow butterfly assemblages to be more resilient to climate change.
Evaluating land management practices to best return landuse health and resilience is a growing interest in the face of rapidly declining worldwide invertebrate populations. American bison (Bison bison), a native megaherbivore, is well understood to benefit the natural cycle of vegetation growth and soil on the landscape. Activities of these native grazers has also been found to benefit specifically lepidopteran populations, but additional evaluation is needed. To assess this, we conducted lepidopteran and groundcover surveys within an oak savanna landscape located at the Sandhill Wildlife Area from 2014-2019, during spring and summer seasons. Bison grazing pastureland was delineated into four cover types including open grassland areas (other), shrubs and trees (shrubs), areas of exposed mineral soil (disturbance), and wallows resulting from disturbance as generated directly by American bison wallowing activities (wallows). A total of 60 plots (15 per cover type) were assessed for percent groundcover categories, recent presence of bison (indicated through bison chip counts), and observations of all lepidopteran species. Bison wallowing activities increased over the course of the study, with more wallows visible during spring season. Bison chips were highly separated from wallows, suggesting that bison graze and wallow in different areas. Lepidopteran family groups (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, and Riodinidae, as well as grouped "moths" that were dominated by Geometridae) differed significantly across these areas of high and low disturbance. Atotal of 17 groups were observed, 13 of which were seen at least 3 times over the 10 surveys. Environmental predictors bison wallows, forbs, grass, nectar, and shrub cover were significantly associated with distribution of individual taxa. Bison wallows were significantly associated with lepidopteran family communities, while chips shaped trends in 6 groups identified to species, and vegetation types further significantly structured the community. Temporal trends captured significantly different community assemblages 2014-2019 and across seasons, with summer showing greater variation in families. Overall, this suggests that bison activities and resulting changes in groundcover impact habitat suitability and thus influence the abundance and distribution of lepidopteran family groups. A further assessment of bison influenced habitat features and breakdown of lepidopteran species units is needed to further understand how temporal bison activities may influence the habitat structure and subsequently the reliant lepidopterans within this ecotype and will be assessed in subsequent studies.
Historical samples from museum and private collections can serve as a time machine, allowing us to follow changes in genetic composition through time as well as obtaining genomic data on past biodiversity. Thus, genetic data from collections (museomics) are increasingly being utilized in scientific studies. However, although several different DNA extraction techniques have been used successfully in insect museomics, direct comparisons between methods are uncommon. It is therefore unclear to what extent simple adjustments of DNA extraction protocols can increase yields. This is especially important when analysing museum specimens that are decades or even hundreds of years old with low endogenous DNA content. Here, we first compared two recommended protocols which include the widely used QIAamp DNA Micro Kit or the Monarch PCR & DNA Cleanup Kit, respectively. We found that the Monarch kit performed substantially better than the QIAamp kit in terms of yield. We then compared various lysis temperatures, the effect of non-destructive versus destructive lysis, and the relative yield from a second round of extraction using the Monarch kit. We evaluated our results both by measurements of DNA concentration and fragment length and results from low coverage whole genome sequencing. We found that a lysis temperature of 42 degrees C performed better than either 56 degrees C or 37 degrees C, using a lysis time of approximately 20 h. Destructive extraction increased yield in some species, and a second round of non-destructive extraction can substantially increase total yield. Finally, we used our selected Monarch kit protocol to extract DNA from legs of 492 additional butterfly specimens (23-128 years old) and 21 small wasp specimens. We observed virtually no effects of specimen age on the amount of DNA extracted or the endogenous DNA content, while older specimens yielded slightly shorter lengths of sequenced fragments. The DNA extraction procedure worked well for specimens up to 128 years of age and we would expect this to be the case for substantially older specimens, which would enable successful DNA extraction from the vast majority of dried insects in collections.
Concerns about insect decline have motivated the monitoring of terrestrial arthropods, often using Malaise traps. Since the types of Malaise trap vary widely, it is essential to understand the diff erences in the resulting number and composition of the arthropod catch. In this study, we compared the performance of two types of Malaise trap in capturing arthropods for biodiversity monitoring and ecological studies. We placed Bartak and SLAM traps in a paired design at increasing distances from a forest edge in vineyards in southwestern Germany. We measured arthropod biomass and used metabarcoding for species identification. Bartak traps caught 7.5 times higher biomass, but only 1.5 times more species compared to the SLAM traps. There was a signifi cant difference in species composition, whereby highly mobile flying insect species, such as those in the order Diptera, strongly dominated the Bartak traps and ground-dwelling arthropods were better represented in SLAM traps. With increasing distance to the forest edge, species richness decreased similarly in both trap types. Our study shows that differences in trapping efficiency must be taken into account when comparing results from diff erent, and that trap types can be chosen according to the focus of each study. Nevertheless, both trap types were able to detect the biodiversity pattern in our landscape in a similar way.
Ants are essential components of ecosystems, playing critical roles in nutrient cycling, pest control, and soil health. Agricultural practices significantly influence ant biodiversity, yet studies on this subject remain scarce in Morocco. This study examines the impact of three agricultural systems on ant diversity in Central Morocco: conventional (monoculture with intensive pesticide use), organic (no synthetic inputs and crop diversification), and traditional (low-input polyculture based on local practices), focusing on El Jadida and El Oualidia provinces. Using pitfall traps, a total of 1823 ants belonging to 4 subfamilies, 14 genera, and 21 species were sampled across the three systems. Organic agriculture exhibited the highest species richness (17 species; relative abundances dominated by Tetramorium caldarium and Paratrechina longicornis), and the highest Shannon diversity index, followed by traditional agriculture (11 species) and conventional agriculture (8 species). PERMANOVA and IndVal analyses revealed signifi cant diff erences in species composition, with organic and traditional systems fostering distinct communities compared to conventional agriculture. Linear Discriminant Analysis highlighted clear separations among systems, reflecting the eff ects of habitat heterogeneity and management practices. The study underscores the ecological importance of organic and traditional practices in supporting ant biodiversity and calls for sustainable agricultural management to limit the negative impacts of biodiversity loss and homogenisation caused by conventional farming.
Open-pit coal mine rehabilitation is essential to mitigate ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. Given that ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are excellent bioindicators, we evaluated the response of their communities along a restoration gradient in a tropical dry forest ecosystem. Sampling was conducted in five sites: three areas with different rehabilitation ages (1.5, 4, and 7 years) and two ecosystems not affected by mining (a dry forest fragment and a natural regeneration area). A total of 65 species and morphospecies were recorded, belonging to 30 genera and seven subfamilies. A key finding was the asynchronous recovery of diversity: while species richness (q0) in the sites with longer rehabilitation times resembled that of the reference forest, community structure, measured by evenness (q1, q2), remained significantly lower, indicating a slower functional recovery. Composition analysis (NMDS) revealed a clear successional gradient, with the 7-year site representing an intermediate state in the trajectory toward reference forests. Notably, rehabilitation techniques such as mulch application in the youngest site (1.5 years) promoted the early colonization of specialist predatory ants, resulting in a more complex community than that of the 4-year site. We conclude that proactive rehabilitation, particularly measures focused on soil protection, accelerates the recovery of the ant community structure.
Grassland butterfl ies are declining widely in temperate regions, and are thus a key target for conservation. Recent studies have shown that forest clearcuts can be temporary habitats for these species. Shelterbelts - rows of trees, planted to protect houses and crops from the winds - are periodically cleared. This clearing is necessary to prevent falling large branches from mature trees while maintaining their primary function. Consequently, recently cleared young shelterbelts have the potential to serve as habitats for grassland species. However, it remains unclear how long young shelterbelt plantations support grassland butterfl ies. In this study, we m ade a survey where the responses of fl owering plants and butterfl ies to plantation age and environmental parameters were investigated during spring and summer in eight plantations aged 2-12 years. Plant richness, nectar abundance, as well as butterfl y richness and abundance decreased with increasing plantation age. Butterfl ies, including endangered species, thrived in 2-6-year plantations, but declined dramatically thereafter. Age-related environmental variables, particularly canopy openness, explained the decline in plants and butterfl ies, with age being a more important factor than environmental variables. These results indicate that regenerated shelterbelts aged 2-6 years function as habitats for grassland butterfl ies, and that plantation age can be used as a simple indicator of habitat quality for such species, including endangered ones. Given that young plantations persist as grassland butterfl y habitats for only 6 years since planting, a new clearcut needs to be created within the dispersal range for butterfl ies to help build metapopulations and ensure their conservation at a landscape scale.
Medically significant Lucilia sericata larvae lack a standardised, reproducible, animal tissue-free, and sterilisable diet for rearing. In this study, we developed and evaluated a diet made from dried milk, protein powder, cholesterol, amino acids, and vitamins with a defined macronutrient composition. We demonstrated that this formulation supports larval development comparable to that of control liver diet. This diet composition was also tested with a deficiency in each ingredient to determine their role and influence on larval development. Specifically, the effects of these diets on the following traits of the fly were measured: third instar larvae length and weight, pupal weight, pupation percentage, eclosion percentage, adult longevity, and egg-laying capacity across two generations. Based on performed studies, we demonstrated that Lucilia sericata did not successfully develop on a diet lacking vitamins. Moreover, reduced third instar larval survivorship was observed in diets deficient in protein and cholesterol, whereas higher eclosion failure occurred in diets lacking milk, protein, and Omega-acids. These results indicate that each ingredient is important in the larval development. Overall, larvae reared on liver-based diets showed similar characteristics to those reared on artificial diets. Furthermore, subsequent generations of Lucilia sericata reared on this diet exhibited normal development and reproductive capacity, and their eggs produced viable offspring. This represents a potentially novel formulation, with sterilisable and readily available ingredients, and a meat-free composition that can be easily produced and used for medical applications.
This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Aphonoides Chopard, 1940 in China, integrating morphological examination with molecular phylogenetics. As a result, we describe a new species, A. ouyue He & Wei, sp. n., from China, and synonymize A. aspidoid Zheng et al., 2021, syn. n. with A. japonicus (Shiraki, 1930). We also upgrade A. medvedevi alius Gorochov, 2007 to species status as A. alius Gorochov, stat. n., remove A. tessellatus Chopard, 1969, A. punctatus (Haan, 1844) and A. fuscirostris (Chopard, 1969) from the Chinese fauna, and provide the first description of the genitalia for A. wuyiensis Yin & Zhang, 2001. Molecular analysis of the COI gene (658 bp), including Aphonoides and Mistshenkoana Gorochov, 1990, reconstructs a phylogenetic tree confirming that both genera are monophyletic. The results also strongly support the current morphological classification of Aphonoides.
