The Lauxaniidae is a very speciose and diverse family of flies, but its biology is poorly known, and mating strategies have not been investigated. Macroscopically visible structures in the abdominal pleural membrane of female Lauxaniidae are most likely pheromone glands that have a role in sexual function. Although most specimens in collections do not exhibit these structures, some reasons for this are discussed. A selection of these structures is presented with photographic images of preserved and live specimens. They are discussed in the context of their development during the adult insect's life and their potential correlation with maturity of ova, species aggregation at specific sites, segregation from closely related species, and how the females take the lead in choice and timing for mating.

This article is an account of preliminary investigations on the Diptera associated with caves of diverse geomorphology in Sicily. Caves were selected from a range of altitudes above sea level. The habitat just outside the caves was noted to help interpret the faunal composition of the Diptera within the caves. Pitfall traps as well as hand collecting were utilised to obtain samples within the caves at different distances from the entrance between the years 2017 and 2022. Of the 15,600 specimens from 31 families collected, 99 species were identified, and among these, 34 species are new records for Sicily. Only nine species were previously recorded from caves in Sicily. Species are classified as troglophile (with subdivision) or trogloxene; no troglobiont species were encountered. This large sample also provides preliminary data on the frequency and phenology of cave use by different sexes in some species. The data also suggest how cave utilisation is frequent enough to allow viable populations of many species that can reappear when external environmental conditions return to a favourable state after significant natural disasters.

Nannodastiidae and Xenasteiidae are recorded from Morocco for the first time, with three species of Nannodastiidae from the genus Azorastia Frey, and one species of Xenasteiidae from the genus Tunisimyia Papp. Most of them represent first records for North Africa, thus extending the distribution of each species. The distribution and habitat data are provided for all species documented in Morocco.

The species of Atherigona found on the island of Réunion are listed with the collection data. Where known, notes are given on biology, ecology and parasitoids. Atherigona brunnisquama sp. n. is described and illustrated. Geographical distribution outside the island is included.

An account of Neotropical Chyromyidae is given and the following new species are described: Gymnochiromyia semihirta sp. nov., G. tropica sp. nov., Tethysimyia bonairensis sp. nov., T. chilensis sp. nov., T. litophila sp. nov. and T. nigrifacies sp. nov. Aphaniosoma Becker and Notiochyromya Ebejer are reported for the first time from the Neotropical Region. The following species are transferred from Aphaniosoma Becker to Tethysimyia Ebejer: Tethysimyia arenicola (Wheeler, 1994) comb. nov., Tethysimyia aldrichi (Wheeler, 1961) comb. nov., T. galamarilla (Wheeler, 1994) comb. nov., T. macalpinei (Hardy, 1980) comb. nov. and T. minuta (Hardy, 1980) comb. nov., T. rabida (Wheeler, 1994) comb. nov. A key to the Neotropical species of Tethysimyia is provided.

The species of Aphaniosoma Becker, 1903 described from Egypt by Collin in 1949 are reviewed and lectotypes designated for Aphaniosoma creperum Collin, 1949, A. fissum Collin, 1949, A. lamellatum Collin, 1949 and A. sodalis Collin, 1949. All species known from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are reviewed, with annotations, distributions and a key to species. The following 19 species are described as new and illustrated: A. acitergum sp. nov., A. aegyptium sp. nov., A. angulitergum sp. nov., A. captiosum sp. nov., A. cristatum sp. nov., A. curvistylus sp. nov., A. daedalum sp. nov., A. denticulosum sp. nov., A. flavipyga sp. nov., A. freidbergi sp. nov., A. interispina sp. nov., A. kravchenkoi sp. nov., A. longilingua sp. nov., A. lucidum sp. nov., A. meltseri sp. nov., A. miricercus sp. nov., A. palestinense sp. nov., A. praeditum sp. nov. and A. yaromi sp. nov. Biology and ecology are commented upon.

Somatiosoma variseta sp. n. is described from Israel. This primarily Afrotropical and Arabian genus is discussed and a key to all known species is given.

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector‐borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four‐stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK‐based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well‐being, and environmental change.

Camilla flavicauda Duda represents the first camillid fly species recorded for the United Arab Emirates.

The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuaniamelanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae).

Four families with five species of acalyptrate Diptera are recorded for the first time from Sicily: Aulacigastridae [Aulacigasterfalcata Papp, A. leucopeza (Meigen)], Odiniidae [Odinia trinotata Robineau-Desvoidy], Periscelididae [Periscelis comulata (Fallen)] and Carnidac [Meoneura freta Collin]. In six families that were previously known from Sicily, an additional nine new species records arc given. The lists of species of Meoneura Rondani of Italy and of Henina Robineau-Desvoidy (Ulidiidae) of Sicily are updated.

Abstract Additional records of 28 species of interest belonging to acalyptrate families Lonchaeidae (1 species), Lauxaniidae (2 species), Chamaemyiidae (9 species), Agromyzidae (16 species) and Opomyzidae (1 species) from glacial sand deposits in the Czech Silesia (NE Czech Republic) are presented and their association with sandy habitats discussed. A total of 25 species are recorded from the Czech Silesia for the first time, 15 are new additions to the fauna of Moravia of which 11 are also new for the whole of the Czech Republic. Six species (Lauxaniidae 1, Agromyzidae 5) are new additions to the Diptera fauna of Poland. Leucopis cerasiphila Gomolitzkaja & Tanasijtshuk, 1986 is recorded for the first time from Europe. None of the here reported species is classified as psammobiont but 8 species are considered psammophilous or probably psammophilous, viz. Minettia longiseta (Loew, 1847) (Lauxaniidae), Leucopis kaszabi Tanasijtshuk, 1970 (Chamaemyiidae), Cerodontha (Xenophytomyza) leptophallus Papp, 2016, Hexomyza sarothamni (Hendel, 1923), Liriomyza dracunculi Hering, 1932, L. latigenis (Hendel, 1920), L. yasumatsui Sasakawa, 1972 (Agromyzidae) and Geomyza subnigra Drake, 1992 (Opomyzidae). The conspicuous species diversity of Chamaemyiidae in Silesian glacial sand deposits is discussed.

An account is given of the Empididae of Malta. The eleven species known to inhabit the islands are listed with data for the eight species not previously published. The paucity of species on the Maltese Islands is briefly discussed in the context of the distribution of the family and some aspects of its ecology.

A checklist is presented of all 986 extant species of Diptera known from the archipelago of the Maltese Islands situated in the central Mediterranean. Species considered to be alien to the Islands are listed with annotations in Appendix 1. The history of dipterology applicable to the islands is outlined and the three important historical published records by Zetterstedt, Rondani and Bezzi de Stefani-Perez are listed in Appendices 24. Species names that are synonyms are indicated where these were used in published records for Malta more or less after the Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera was published. Species we consider to have been misidentifications are also indicated with an annotation in most cases. Vermileo immaculatus Carles-Tolr syn. n. Cuesta-Segura and Vermileo balearicus Wheeler syn. n. are proposed junior synonyms of Vermileo vermileo (Linnaeus).

All 41 species of Dolichopodidae in 22 genera (excluding one species each in the subfamilies Microphorinae and Parathalassinae) known to occur on the Maltese Islands are reviewed, with 31 of these being recorded for the first time. Habitat preferences and flight periods of the species recorded are tabulated and discussed.

The Agromyzidae of Malta is reviewed and all 81 species are listed with additional data. Three genera are reported for the first time: Japanagromyza Sasakawa, Aulagromyza Enderlein and Phytoliriomyza Hendel. Two species in the genus Aulagromyza Enderlein and one in Phytomyza Fallen cannot be named at present. The commonest species on the islands, the pest species and 37 new records are indicated. The phenology of the species belonging to this family as applies to the Maltese Islands is tabulated and discussed.

espanolDos familias de dipteros acalipteros, Curtonotidae y Helcomyzidae, se citan aqui de Portugal por primera vez, siendo la ultima tambien nueva para la Peninsula Iberica. Ademas, la familia de acalipteros Tanypezidae se cita tambien de Espana por primera vez. EnglishTwo families of acalyptrate Diptera, Curtonotidae and Helcomyzidae, are here recorded for the first time from Portugal, with the latter also being the first mention of this family for the Iberian Peninsula. Additionally, the acalyptrate family Tanypezidae is also recorded for the first time from Spain.

The family Carnidae is reported from the Balearic Islands (Spain) for the first time. Meoneura glaberrima Becker, 1910 and M. prima (Becker, 1903) are new records and two species are described as new: M. ibizana sp. n. and M. micropygialis sp. n. This brings the total number of species of Meoneura known from Spain to 31.

An account is given of the Chyromyidae (Diptera) of Cyprus. First records are given for 15 species in the genus Aphaniosoma Becker, one in Gymnochiromyia Hendel and three in Chyromya Robineau-Desvoidy. Two species are described as new to science: Aphaniosoma cypriense sp. n. and A. pteropus sp. n. The possible origin of this fauna and its affinity with that of neighbouring countries is discussed.