ABSTRACT Vibrational communication (drumming) has been studied in most Arctoperlarian stonefly families across North America, Europe, and Asia. This form of communication, typically associated with finding mates, has been used successfully as an integrative tool in Plecoptera systematics. However, this behavior has not been studied in South American stoneflies, where one can find a diverse and highly endemic Arctoperlarian assemblage. Herein, we present the first study of drumming behavior in South American stoneflies, focusing specifically on the genus Kempnyia Klapálek, 1914, which is endemic to Brazil. Vibrational communication data were collected through audio recordings amplified using Manila paper and plastic tubes as drumming arenas. We were able to record over 240 different calls from three species of the genus: Kempnyia neotropica (Jacobson & Bianchi, 1905), Kempnyia reticulata (Klapálek, 1916), and Kempnyia vanini Froehlich, 1988. The calls follow a consistent two-sequence pattern, but they differ among species. These findings fill a long-standing gap in the knowledge of Plecoptera biology in South America and highlight the potential of vibrational signals as behavioral characters for systematic and evolutionary studies of Neotropical stoneflies.
ABSTRACT We report three new country records of the genera Hydronema Martynov 1914, Hydropsyche Pictet, 1834, and Macrostemum Kolenati, 1859 in India based on newly collected specimens. Hydropsyche diktynna Malicky and Chantaramongkol, 2000 is reported from Badasgam–B, Jammu and Kashmir; Hydronema persica Martynov, 1914 is reported from Leh, Ladakh (new record of the genus for India) and Macrostemum fenestratumAlbarda, 1887, from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Macrostemum floridum Navás, 1929, a species already known in India, is redescribed based on specimens collected from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, significantly extending the known range of the genus. Two species Macrostemum fenestratum and Macrostemum floridum were subjected to morphological examination and DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial COI gene, because the identification of both species is challenging, due to cryptic morphology. This study presents the first preliminary molecular investigation of Hydropsychidae in India. With these additions, the family Hydropsychidae is now represented in India by 246 species and 16 genera.
ABSTRACT Recent studies have underscored the presence of substantial levels of cryptic diversity among Neotropical species of Drosophilidae. Zygothrica is among the Neotropical Drosophilidae genera whose diversity seems to be severely underestimated. In this study, we describe a new species of Zygothrica, which is externally cryptic and sympatric with Z. vittimaculosa in much of its distribution. To this aim, we compared the sister species and identified differences in the morphology of the phalli and spermathecae that can now be used as diagnostic traits to discriminate between the two species.
ABSTRACT Lopesia rondoniensis Proença & Maia sp.nov., Lopesia tonteleae Proença & Maia sp.nov., and Lopesia matogrossensis Proença & Maia sp.nov., three new species of Cecidomyiidae (Insecta: Diptera) that induce fusiform galls on leaves of Swartzia sp. (Fabaceae), conical galls on leaves of Tontelea sp. (Celastraceae), and lenticular galls on Protium sp. (Burseraceae), respectively, are described and illustrated based on material from Rondônia and Mato Grosso states, Brazil.
A new species of Salpingogasteris described from southern Brazil, S. distincta Mengual, Ver & iacute;ssimo & Auad sp. nov. The new species is very similar to the widespread S. nigra Schiner. We describe the new species in full and provide images and DNA barcodes of the closest species to differentiate them. Moreover, a RAPD analysis was performed to test its value to distinguish our new species from Salpingogasternigra. Larvae and adults of the new species were collected in fields of elephant grass, Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone. Larvae of the new species are reported feeding on spittlebugs Mahanarva spectabilis and Aeneolamia contigua (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Until now our efforts to rear the species in captivity have not been successful.
ABSTRACT The microbial communities associated with muscid flies have gained increased attention due to their changing composition across developmental stages, which is significantly influenced by environmental factors and available food sources. In this context, Musca domestica L. stands out as one of the most relevant species, primarily recognized as a mechanical vector of infectious agents, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Some of these agents can be transmitted to humans and animals, causing disease, largely due to the species frequent association with decomposing organic matter and contaminated environments, thereby facilitating the dissemination of microorganisms. Among the microorganisms that share these same environments, the eukaryotic protozoan genus Acanthamoeba deserves special attention. However, despite this environmental coexistence, current knowledge regarding Acanthamoeba species and their interactions with insects remains limited and fragmented, highlighting the need for further studies to clarify the specific role of flies in the epidemiology of Acanthamoeba infections. In this context, the occurrence of Acanthamoeba species. was investigated in wild populations of M. domestica. Flies were collected using traps distributed throughout the FIOCRUZ/RJ campus. 14 (28%) of the 50 flies examined tested positive for Acanthamoeba and were identified as genotype T4 by Sanger sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, a genotype commonly associated with keratitis. Active Acanthamoeba trophozoites were detected in the intestines of five flies. These findings reinforce the importance of understanding the ecological relationship between Acanthamoeba and M. domestica, given the potential role of these flies as environmental vectors in the dissemination of pathogens that may impact human health.
Sustainable mosquito control requires safe and effective botanical alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Typha orientalis has been traditionally utilized in various ecological settings, yet its larvicidal potential and underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of a phytosterol-rich extract from T. orientalis, identify its major chemical constituents, assess its molecular interactions with key mosquito targets, and predict its environmental and toxicological profiles using in silico tools. The methanolic extract exhibited strong dose-dependent larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus, with an LC50 value of 45.3 ppm. GC-MS profiling revealed a phytosterol-dominant composition, with gamma-sitosterol (30.05%), stigmasterol (21.07%), and campesterol (11.78%) as major constituents. Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of gamma-sitosterol toward Anopheles gambiae acetylcholinesterase (-9.375 kcal/mol) and of stigmasterol toward the Aedes aegypti ecdysone receptor (-9.323 kcal/mol), suggesting a multi-target mode of action. In silico toxicology predicted favorable biodegradability and low bioaccumulation potential (Log BCF < 3) for all three sterols. However, models indicated high acute toxicity risks to Daphnia magna and Apis mellifera, as well as a potential genotoxicity alert for campesterol. The phytosterol-rich extract of T. orientalis demonstrates potent larvicidal activity supported by strong molecular interactions with key mosquito targets. Despite its promising biodegradability and low bioaccumulation potential, predicted ecotoxicity toward aquatic invertebrates and pollinators highlights the need for further environmental safety validation. These findings advance the understanding of phytosterol-based larvicides and support continued assessment toward their sustainable application.
Despite ongoing taxonomic efforts, species diversity and geographic distributions remain poorly documented for many groups of Osmyloidea, including in parts of Asia. In this study, we contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of Osmyloidea, the sole group of lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) with both freshwater and terrestrial representatives, while also reducing distributional gaps for the group. We conducted detailed examination of lacewing specimens from Vietnam from worldwide entomological museums. We described two new species of Osmylidae, Osmylus hagiangensis sp. nov. and Thaumatosmylus solitarius sp. nov. This is the first record of the genera Osmylus Latreille and Thaumatosmylus Kr & uuml;ger from Vietnam, totalling new records of four species of Osmylidae. We also provide the first record of three species of Sisyridae in the country Sisyra nikkoana (Nav & aacute;s), S. nobilia Yang, Zheng & Liu and Sisyrina qiong Yang & Gao. Previous studies recorded only five species and four genera in Vietnam, and our research nearly doubles this diversity: 12 species in six different genera.
Gynandromorphism, the occurrence of individuals with mixed male and female traits, is rarely reported in mosquitoes and is especially uncommon in the genus Toxorhynchites Theobald, 1901. This is the first bilateral gynandromorph of the Neotropical species, Toxorhynchites (Lynchiella) haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1787) from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and the second for the genus. Immature stages were collected from open coconut shells on the ground in the primary forest of the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, reared to the adult stage under laboratory conditions, and preserved as voucher material. The pupal exuviae and adult were examined morphologically, including dissection of the terminalia. The gynandromorph pupal exuviae show slightly asymmetrical genital lobes. The adult specimen exhibits bilateral gynandromorphism, with male characters on the right and female characters on the left, except for the 180 degrees-rotated terminalia, which have inverted dorsal and ventral components. Sex-specific traits differ between sides in antennae, maxillary palpi, tarsal colour pattern, claw morphology, wing length, density of red lateral abdominal setae, and in the composition and position of the terminalia components, which combine predominantly male elements with a few female elements, such as cercus, hypoproct, and two spermathecae.
The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive pest of thin-skinned and stone fruits with growing economic impact worldwide. In Brazil, it was first reported in 2013 and has since spread across major fruit-producing states. Although previously detected in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), records were limited to isolated individuals, never in commercial orchards. Here, we provide the first evidence of D. suzukii establishment in a commercial 'Biloxi' blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum Linnaeus, field in Sapucaia, RJ. Initial vinegar traps captured seven females, confirmed in the laboratory. Subsequent banana-yeast bait traps collected both sexes, including one male, confirming establishment. Emergence assays from naturally damaged fruits demonstrated reproductive success, resulting in approximately 279 individuals (110 males and 169 females) from a total of 1.6 kg of damaged fruits. Monitoring also detected Zaprionus spp. (Diptera: Drosophilidae), another invasive drosophilid associated with fruit damage. To assess management options, we evaluated susceptibility of this D. suzukii population to imidacloprid. Bioassays showed that exposure to 0.140 mg/mL (LC50 for a susceptible reference strain) killed approximately 50% of adults, indicating local susceptibility, in contrast to reduced susceptibility reported in other Brazilian strains. Collectively, these findings confirm D. suzukii establishment in a new blueberry-producing region, reveal potential phytosanitary risks, and suggest that chemical control options remain effective locally. This integrated evidence highlights the importance of early monitoring and management strategies to safeguard Brazil's expanding blueberry industry.
In the present study, sawflies and woodwasps (Symphyta) are recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The study identifies seven species across four different families: Orussus arabicus Gadallah and Soliman, sp. nov. and Pseudoryssus niehuisorum Kraus (Fam: Orussidae); Athalia vollenhoveni Gribodo (Fam: Athaliidae); Corynis citrina (P & eacute;rez) (Fam: Cimbicidae); Taxonus terminalis (Say), Tenthredo (Elinora) cf. baetica dominquei (Konow) and T. (E.) flaveola Gmelin (Fam: Tenthredinidae). Only two of the species recorded here previously reported from the Arabian Peninsula: Athalia vollenhoveni from Yemen, and Corynis citrina from Bahrain. Here we provide detailed illustrations and diagnoses of the species based on specimens recorded from Saudi fauna and also a map representing distribution of species in the Arabian Peninsula.
The family Pompilidae (Latreille, 1804), within the order Hymenoptera, comprises a monophyletic group of solitary wasps, notably specialized in the predation and provisioning of spiders as a larval resource. The genus Braunilla (= Balboana Banks, 1944), restricted to the Neotropical region, currently includes 11 valid species, of which only two have males formally described. Braunilla nigrina was originally described by Nathan Banks in 1946; however, the original description lacks precise information regarding the sex of the holotype, generating taxonomic uncertainty concerning the sexual identity of the species. In this context, the present study aimed to conduct a morphological revision of B. nigrina, focusing on sexual association and morphological characterization of the specimens. A total of 22 individuals were examined, collected from the Cerrado biome in the municipalities of Capit & oacute;lio and Ingai, southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Based on detailed morphological analyses, it was possible to associate males and females, which allowed for the first formal description of the male and the redescription of the female based on additional material. Regional studies such as this are essential for advancing the taxonomic knowledge of Pompilidae in Brazil, providing significant contributions in terms of morphological data, distributional records, and formal descriptions of poorly known species such as B. nigrina.
This study presents an illustrated dichotomous key to the genera of Drosophilidae recorded in Brazil, based on morphological characters extracted from published papers and the direct examination of specimens. Brazil harbors exceptional drosophilid diversity, with 20 genera and 394 valid species currently recognized in the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna, approximately 52% of which belong to the genus Drosophila. However, identification challenges persist because diagnostic information is fragmented across multiple publications, thereby restricting accurate biodiversity assessments and a comprehensive understanding of the Brazilian drosophilid fauna. All 20 genera listed in the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna were included, along with Microdrosophila, which was added based on unpublished records from Brazilian collections. The discussion addresses ongoing taxonomic challenges and the ecological relevance of different genera as bioindicators, agricultural pests, or potential biological control agents. This study addresses long-standing gaps in diagnostic resources, advances the understanding of drosophilid diversity in Brazil, and provides a practical tool for taxonomists, conservationists, and agricultural specialists.
Drosophilidae includes well-known species that have served as models in the biological sciences. The family encompasses a wealth of life histories, feeding habits, and morphology. Although Drosophila has been widely used as a model taxon across several disciplines, like taxonomy, systematics, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, way beyond genetics, genomics, and development, significant gaps remain unexplored in the morphological research of these flies. In this paper, we highlight the external and internal skeletal morphology of exemplars of species of Drosophilidae, offering interesting avenues for comparative research, especially to advance fly systematics. We present the first comparative study of two species of Drosophilidae: Drosophila buzzatii (Drosophilinae) and Rhinoleucophenga gigantea (Steganinae). This study provides extensive illustrations of adult males and females using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), documenting their morphological variations in detail. This work contributes to the interpretation of homology among anatomical structures, standardizes the application of anatomical terms for Drosophilidae, and facilitates communication between studies using drosophilid flies as models.
The genus Sceliomorpha Ashmead is restricted to the New World, having mostly a Neotropical distribution. In this study we provide an update on the knowledge of Sceliomorpha from Brazil, with the description of seven new species: S. brunnipes sp. nov., S. dentata sp. nov., S. fulgida sp. nov., S. nigripes sp. nov., S. orbiculata sp. nov., S. porosa sp. nov. and S. signata sp. nov. Six of them are proposed based on specimens from the state of Paran & aacute;, in southern Brazil, and one from the state of Mato Grosso, in central Brazil. For the newly described species both males and females are reported for S. brunnipes sp. nov., S. fulgida sp. nov., S. orbiculata sp. nov. and S. signata sp. nov., while for the remaining ones only males are known. In addition, identification keys for males and females of Sceliomorpha are included.
Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose major global health and economic challenges, compounded by increasing resistance to chemical insecticides. This study explored the larvicidal potential of Cynodon gayana extracts as eco-friendly alternatives. Plant material was extracted using the Soxhlet method with solvents of varying polarity. Extracts were screened for phytochemicals and analyzed by GC-MS to identify major constituents. Larvicidal bioassays were conducted against fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus following WHO (2005) guidelines, and LC50 and LC90 values were determined via probit analysis. Key compounds were docked in silico against mosquito enzymes kynurenine aminotransferase (6MFB), acetylcholinesterase (6XYU), and glutathione S-transferase (2IMI), with Normal Mode Analysis evaluating complex stability. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids, with ethanol and methanol extracts showing the richest profiles and strongest larvicidal activity. Ethanol extract achieved 100% mortality at 250 ppm, with LC50 values of 95.20 ppm (C. quinquefasciatus), 102.71 ppm (A. aegypti), and 112.83 ppm (A. stephensi). GC-MS identified 26 compounds, predominantly sterols, terpenoids, and fatty acids, with stigmasterol (22.22%) and gamma-sitosterol (18.29%) as major constituents. Docking revealed strong binding of these sterols to 6MFB (-10.2 and-9.7 kcal/mol), exceeding temephos (-7.6 kcal/mol). NMA of the 6MFB-stigmasterol complex indicated low deformation energy (5.38 & times; 10-5) and adaptable hinge regions, supporting conformational stability. These findings demonstrate that C. gayana extracts exhibit potent larvicidal activity, underpinned by strong molecular interactions with mosquito enzymes, providing a promising basis for developing sustainable plant-based bioinsecticides and warranting further in vivo and field evaluations.
In the present study, we present the first inventory of gall-inducing arthropods in cerrado sensu stricto areas of the Parque Estadual Veredas do Perua & ccedil;u, northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Field surveys were conducted in 15 plots (10 & times; 10 m each) sampled in November 2018 (rainy season) and August 2019 (dry season) to record the diversity of galls and their host plants. A total of 33 gall morphotypes were recorded in 23 host plant species from 13 botanical families. Fabaceae (nine morphotypes), Vochysiaceae (six), and Malpighiaceae (five) were the most diverse families, and Copaifera oblongifolia was the plant species with the highest gall richness (five morphotypes). The majority of galls were globoid or lenticular in shape and occurred mainly on leaves. Dipterans of the family Cecidomyiidae were the most frequent gall inducers, representing 19 out of the 20 identified taxa. Despite the low number of morphotypes compared to other Cerrado inventories, this study records three host plant species of insect galls for the first time and adds seven new gall morphotypes to the literature. This study expands the geographical coverage of gall inventories in the Cerrado and contributes to a better understanding of host-gall inductor associations in an underexplored area, providing valuable baseline data for future ecological and conservation research.
Psarochlorops Fairchild is a subgenus of Catachlorops and has never been subject to revision since its creation in 1969. Here, we provide a revision of the species in the subgenus for which we obtained type photos and analyzed material from collections. We provide type photos of all species, as well as their synonyms, an identification key to the species in the subgenus and distribution maps for the species. We describe two new species: Catachlorops chicoisp. nov. and Catachlorops tocantinensissp. nov. and synonymize four species: Catachlorops difficilis(Kr & ouml;ber), C. poecilopterus(Schiner), C. lineatusBurger and C. quadrimaculatus(Macquart) under C. testaceus(Macquart). Thus, Psarochlorops now has nine valid species. Additionally, we provide comments and photographs for the males of C. ecuadoriensis and C. testaceus, the only species in the subgenus with known males.
A classification of 17 species-groups within the genus Athyreusis proposed, along with a key for their identification. Groups arretado, bellator, conspicuus, hemisphaericus, pyriformis, and unicornis have one species each; groups forcipatus, tuberifer, and vavini have two species; groups armatus, chalybeatus, and fritzi have three species; group aeneus and bifurcatus with four species; group tridens with five species; group tribuliformis with eight species; group bilobuswith nine species; and three species are incertae sedis. With these species groups, we revised two of them: group aeneus with a new species, A. boillyi sp. nov.; and group bilobus with five new species: A. felipeorum sp. nov., A. furtadoi sp. nov., A. paraguayensis sp. nov., A. periotoi sp. nov., and A. xomano. We provide illustrations and identification keys for species of these groups.
Here we describe Cyclidius paprockii sp. nov., a new species of Cremastocheilini from the biogeographical province of Cerrado of Brazil, and provide an updated identification key for the genus Cyclidius MacLeay, 1838. The genus now comprises five valid species: C. atlanticus Rodrigues, Grossi and Vaz-de-Mello, 2025, C. elongatus (Olivier, 1789), C. lacordairei, Thomson, 1860, C. rohdei, Kolbe 1893, and the newly described C. paprockii sp. nov. The new species can be readily distinguished by the shape of the pronotum and clypeus, as well as other morphological traits discussed herein. This discovery broadens our understanding of Cyclidiusdiversity and highlights the importance of continued sampling, as the limited availability of specimens has historically hindered the recognition of new taxa within American Cremastocheilini.
