ABSTRACT Tettigoniidae are the most diverse family of Orthoptera, with over 750 species recorded in Brazil. However, arid and semi‐arid environments of northeastern Brazil, dominated by the Caatinga biome, remain poorly studied, with most previous records restricted to Atlantic Forest areas. Here, we describe two new genera and two new species of Phaneropterinae from these arid regions, representing the first records of short‐winged katydids in the biome. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from molecular data using maximum likelihood analyses, and morphological characters were employed to support the description of the new taxa. Caatingatettix Fianco, Engelking & Antunes, gen. nov. and Acanthicauda Fianco, gen. nov. form part of a clade of short‐winged katydids, expanding the known distribution and ecological range of such taxa, previously thought to be restricted to humid Atlantic Forest habitats. This discovery highlights the underestimated biodiversity of xeric environments in South America and exposes significant gaps in our knowledge of Orthoptera in Brazilian drylands. Moreover, the presence of localized and potentially endemic lineages in threatened habitats emphasizes the need for intensified surveys and targeted conservation strategies. Citizen science platforms, such as iNaturalist, may play a key role in detecting rare or undescribed taxa and informing future research and conservation efforts.
ABSTRACT Examination and sequencing of Psychidae specimens from Australia confirm that the genus Amatissa Walker, 1862 is present in this region, extending its known distribution. The first multispecies phylogeny of Amatissa is presented based on mitochondrial sequence data. Three new Australian species are here described: Amatissa dingo Beaver, sp. nov. , A. tessella Beaver sp. nov. and A. brevifimbria Beaver, sp. nov. , all from far northern Queensland. Additionally, the widespread northern Australian species Plutorectis dysmorpha Turner, 1947 is recognised as a member of this genus, now Amatissa dysmorpha (Turner, 1947) comb. nov. , whose life history is newly discovered. Examination of museum specimens from nearby New Guinea for comparative purposes resulted in the additional discovery of the following four new species from this region: A. chrysosoma Beaver, sp. nov. , A. lata Beaver, sp. nov. , A. inmedia Beaver, sp. nov. and A. aurantia Beaver, sp. nov. None of our findings indicate the incursion of known pest species in this region, though the larval biology of most species remains unstudied.
ABSTRACT Fireflies are semelparous beetles whose immature stages are largely unknown. The comparatively few larvae known span diverse ecological niches, such as ground‐dwellers, aquatic (freshwater or marine), semi‐aquatic and arboreal. Psilocladus costae Vaz, Silveira & Rosa, 2020—a bromeliad dweller—is the only species of its genus and subfamily in which immature stages were studied. We collected firefly larvae in the Brazilian Cerrado inside termite nests and in the underground vaults surrounding them. These larvae were raised in the lab and identified as a new Psilocladus species, described herein as Psilocladus mantilleri Zeballos, Silveira, Nunes & Rosa, sp. nov. Adult males of the new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of adult characters: antenna rami, pronotum, legs, elytra and scutellum yellowish; basal half of submentum strongly constricted; abdomen with light organ on sternum VI, as wide as 3/5 sternum width; and phallobase with apical margin notched at the central third. The larva differs from that of P. costae in its tergites pale yellow to ochre, sternites paler, abdominal tergite IX semicircular and light organs indistinct. The similarity between Psilocladus and photurine larvae is interpreted in the context of the close affinities between these two subfamilies. Given the lack of clear morphological adaptations for termitophily, we hypothesize that this species is an opportunistic commensal, probably relying on termite nests occasionally for shelter and potentially preying on their inquilines.
ABSTRACT Standardised sampling protocols are essential for improving biodiversity assessments, particularly for indicator groups such as fruit‐feeding butterflies. Although fermented banana is the most widely used bait in tropical regions, rotten fish is the best bait for catching fruit‐feeding butterflies in high‐altitude sites. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of alternative attractants in the subtropical region worldwide, where environmental conditions and resource availability differ markedly. We tested the effectiveness of two bait types, fermented banana with sugarcane juice and rotten fish, in capturing fruit‐feeding butterflies across contrasting habitats (native grasslands and Restinga Forests) in the Pampa biome, southern Brazil. Using Van Someren–Rydon bait traps, we compared richness, abundance, diversity and species composition to evaluate how bait type and habitat influence assemblage structure. Contrary to expectations that rotten fish would attract more butterflies, fermented banana consistently had higher richness, abundance and diversity in both habitats. Rotten fish attracted fewer individuals and species, showing a narrower representation of butterflies. Species composition also differed between baits, with banana capturing a broader subset of the regional pool. Habitat influenced diversity patterns regardless of bait, in which Restinga Forests supported more diverse fruit‐feeding butterfly assemblages with forest‐dwelling species, whereas grasslands were dominated mainly by the Satyrini tribe. Our results demonstrate that fermented banana with sugarcane juice is the most effective bait for sampling fruit‐feeding butterflies in subtropical regions. We recommend its use as a standardised protocol to ensure adequate coverage and comparability across habitats, thereby improving short‐ and long‐term monitoring and biodiversity assessments in the subtropics.
ABSTRACT One of us (DKM) amassed a collection of 283 adult fleas (18 species) from donations by staff of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service and other mammalogists, over 20 years (1967–87). Among this large collection were the first fleas to be found on three species of Australian mammals: (i) Lasiorhinus krefftii , the northern hairy‐nosed wombat, a critically endangered species ( Echidnophaga cornuta ); (ii) Phascolarctos cinereus , the koala ( Echidnophaga perilis ); and (iii) Ningaui ridei , the Wongai ningaui ( Xenopsylla australiaca ).
