Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective.

Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect monitoring in the Global South-world developing and least-developed countries as identified by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-highlighting challenges and proposing strategic solutions. An analysis of publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance in research contributions between the Global North and South, highlighting disparities in entomological research and the scarcity of taxonomic expertise in the Global South. We discuss the socio-economic factors that exacerbate the issues, including funding disparities, challenges in collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles and the impact of local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping insect diversity, particularly in tropical regions facing multiple challenges including climate change, urbanization, pollution and various anthropogenic activities. We also stress the need for entomologists to advocate for ecosystem services provided by insects in addressing environmental issues. To enhance monitoring capacity, we propose strategies such as community engagement, outreach programmes and cultural activities to instill biodiversity appreciation. Further, language inclusivity and social media use are emphasized for effective communication. More collaborations with Global North counterparts, particularly in areas of molecular biology and remote sensing, are suggested for technological advancements. In conclusion, advocating for these strategies-global collaborations, a diverse entomological community and the integration of transverse disciplines-aims to address challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable insect monitoring in the Global South, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and overall ecosystem health. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Heteroptera research in Latin America and the Caribbean (Insecta, Hemiptera): status and perspectives in the 21st century.

Latin American and the Caribbean regions (LAC) harbor one of the most biodiverse areas of the world, the Neotropics. True bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are a diverse lineage of insects, with more than 45,000 species, particularly speciose in the Neotropical region. True bugs are fundamental in the dynamics of natural and modified ecosystems, with several species critical to agriculture and public health. We compiled Heteroptera research in LAC from 1998-2022 using bibliographic databases. Productivity, collaborative networks, and the main topics studied were analyzed. A total of 1,651 Heteroptera studies from LAC were found, with continuous growth being 2021 the most prolific. Four categories (Taxonomy of extant species, Faunistic inventories and new records, Pest species biology, and Community ecology) represent most of the published research. About 60 percent of the records evaluated correspond to five families (Pentatomidae, Reduviidae, Coreidae, Miridae, and Rhyparochromidae). We emphasize the need to keep working on Heteroptera taxonomy because it will allow further advances in other areas such as phylogenetic analyses, biogeography, ecology, and natural history, among others. The results of our analyses characterize the current state of heteropterology in the region, establishing a baseline for future studies and efforts to broaden the knowledge of the group.

Chromosome-Aware Phylogenomics of Assassin Bugs (Hemiptera: Reduvioidea) Elucidates Ancient Gene Conflict.

Though the phylogenetic signal of loci on sex chromosomes can differ from those on autosomes, chromosomal-level genome assemblies for nonvertebrates are still relatively scarce and conservation of chromosomal gene content across deep phylogenetic scales has therefore remained largely unexplored. We here assemble a uniquely large and diverse set of samples (17 anchored hybrid enrichment, 24 RNA-seq, and 70 whole-genome sequencing samples of variable depth) for the medically important assassin bugs (Reduvioidea). We assess the performance of genes based on multiple features (e.g., nucleotide vs. amino acid, nuclear vs. mitochondrial, and autosomal vs. X chromosomal) and employ different methods (concatenation and coalescence analyses) to reconstruct the unresolved phylogeny of this diverse (∼7,000 spp.) and old (>180 Ma) group. Our results show that genes on the X chromosome are more likely to have discordant phylogenies than those on autosomes. We find that the X chromosome conflict is driven by high gene substitution rates that impact the accuracy of phylogenetic inference. However, gene tree clustering showed strong conflict even after discounting variable third codon positions. Alternative topologies were not particularly enriched for sex chromosome loci, but spread across the genome. We conclude that binning genes to autosomal or sex chromosomes may result in a more accurate picture of the complex evolutionary history of a clade.

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) of Colombia: An annotated checklist of species.

A checklist of 5 subfamilies, 108 genera, and 246 species of stinks bugs (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) from Colombia is provided. Three genera [Andrallus Bergroth, Placocoris Mayr, and Pseudobebaeus Distant], and eight species [Arocera spectabilis (Drury), Andrallus spinidens (Fabricius), Banasa excavata Thomas, Banasa saileri Thomas, Banasa varians Stl, Chinavia scutellata (Distant), Pelidnocoris haglundi Ruckes, and Pseudobebaeus truncatus (Fallou)] are recorded for the first time from Colombia. Images of dorsal external habitus for all genera that occur in Colombia are offered. This is the first time a comprehensive list of the stink bugs from Colombia is presented, providing a baseline to develop further studies in this group of true bugs.

A striking sexually dimorphic new species of Castolus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Colombia, with new records from Neotropical countries and taxonomic notes on the genus.

The New World genus Castolus Stl, 1858 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) contains 16 described species. Based on material from northern Colombia we describe Castolus rafaeli sp. nov., and key all known species. The following new synonyms are proposed: Castolus nigriventris Breddin, 1904 = C. bicolor Maldonado, 1976, syn. nov.; and C. subinermis (Stl, 1862) = C. annulatus Maldonado Brailovsky, 1992, syn. nov. = Mucrolicter alienus Elkins, 1962, syn. nov. Because M. alienus is the type species of the currently monotypic genus Mucrolicter Elkins, 1962, the proposed synonymy results in the following generic synonym: Castolus Stl, 1858 = Mucrolicter Elkins, 1962, syn. nov. New country records are provided for two species: Castolus plagiaticollis Stl, 1858 is recorded new for Colombia; and Castolus rufomarginatus Champion, 1899 for Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additional localities are provided for species from Colombia and other Neotropical countries based on both specimens from entomological collections and observations from the citizen science initiative iNaturalist.

emTagalis graziae/em, a new species of Saicinae from the Chocó biogeographic region in Colombia (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Tagalis graziae sp. nov., is described from a specimen collected in Risaralda, Colombia, in an area considered part of the Chocó biogeographic region. Among the species of Tagalis with a large and nearly horizontal posteromedial process of the pygophore, T. graziae sp. nov. can be recognized by its coloration pattern, in particular by having the profemur with a basal and apical dark brown band, the apex of the meso and metafemur with an apical narrow dark brown band, and the supracoxal lobes dark brown. Digital images of external morphological characters and of the genitalia are provided. An updated key to the species of Tagalis is presented to facilitate the identification of the new species.

Two new species of the bee-mimicking genus Mallophora (Diptera, Asilidae) from Colombia.

Mallophora Macquart, 1834 is a bee-mimicking genus of Asilidae, which has more than 50 described species in the Neotropical Region. Examination of specimens of this genus from Colombia indicate that there are two undescribed species based on the structure of the hind leg of males. Here we describe Mallophora gauteovan sp. nov. and Mallophora kalos sp. nov. from Tayrona National Park (Magdalena) and Arauca, respectively. For each new species a diagnosis and a description including the structure of the face, thorax, male hind leg, abdomen, and hypandrium are provided. All morphological structures are documented with digital photographs.

Delicate and diverse: A taxonomic monograph with a phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical genus Ghilianella Spinola (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae).

The Neotropical thread-legged bug genus Ghilianella Spinola, 1850 is the most diversified within Metapterini. A taxonomic revision of Ghilianella is presented, in which seventy seven species are recognized as valid, with twenty-one described as new: Ghilianella berengeri sp. nov.; Ghilianella bifurcata sp. nov.; Ghilianella bolivari sp. nov.; Ghilianella caldensis sp. nov.; Ghilianella dilatata sp. nov.; Ghilianella embera sp. nov.; Ghilianella fernandezi sp. nov.; Ghilianella ferruginosa sp. nov.; Ghilianella gilsantanai sp. nov.; Ghilianella goliath sp. nov.; Ghilianella gracilis sp. nov.; Ghilianella huaorani sp. nov.; Ghilianella jaguar sp. nov.; Ghilianella laticauda sp. nov.; Ghilianella maricruzae sp. nov.; Ghilianella quimbaya sp. nov.; Ghilianella scimitarra sp. nov.; Ghilianella tica sp. nov.; Ghilianella urbanoi sp. nov.; Ghilianella ventrimaculata sp. nov.; and Ghilianella weirauchae sp. nov. For the first time a female specimen is described for Ghilianella atriclava Bergroth, 1911, Ghilianella colona McAtee Malloch, 1925 and Ghilianella pachitea McAtee Malloch, 1925. Three new synonyms are recognized: Ghilianella bulbifera Champion, 1898 (=Ghilianella pendula McAtee Malloch, 1925 syn. nov.; Ghilianella inflata Maldonado, 1981 syn. nov.) and Ghilianella strigata McAtee Malloch, 1925 (=Ghilianella fenestrata Maldonado, 1960 syn. nov.). Eleven species are considered nomina dubia and one species nomen nudum. A key to species and digital images of the external morphology and genitalic structures for each species are provided. Additionally, we offer the first phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within Ghilianella, using cladistic methods. Based on the phylogenetic results we dismiss all subgenera in Ghilianella and discuss the complex evolution of the abdominal expansions.

Evolutionary mechanisms for camouflage in Cladomorphus phyllinus (Phasmatodea): A reflection on the role of evidence for hypotheses proposition.

We address and discuss some of the many flaws exhibited by Costa et al. (2019) which tried to explain the twig-like camouflage of Cladomorphus phyllinus. Given the lack of both empirical and theoretical underpinnings in Costa et al. (2019), we call into question the validity of their conclusions, in particular, that horizontal gene transfer is a causal mechanism for the camouflage in C. phyllinus.

Exploring the Ecology and Indicator Value of Some Larvae of Odonata Genera in Colombia.

Bioindication is a method to assess environmental conditions using indicator organisms. In Colombia, water quality evaluation is mostly performed following the Biological Monitoring Working Party/Colombia method (BMWP/Col), which uses aquatic macroinvertebrates at the taxonomic family level. Studies on potential bioindicators are important to produce comprehensive information on the requirements of macroinvertebrates and their value for water quality bioindication. We studied the larval ecology of several common genera of Odonata from Colombian freshwater ecosystems and assigned an indicator value to each genus. The physical and chemical water characteristics of 1,022 sites surveyed in Colombia from 2005 to 2016 were analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). The relationship between environmental conditions and Odonata genera found was studied using multiple logistic regressions between sample coordinates of the first three axes of the PCA and occurrence of the respective genus. We assigned an indicator value for each genus using the logistic regression and the water quality of samples. The highest indicator values were assigned to genera, which were mainly explained by the PCA axis associated with water quality, showed a high odds ratio to this axis, and were found in ecosystems with excellent water quality. The indicator values suggested for each taxon are, Brechmorhoga Kirby, 1894, 8; Macrothemis Hagen, 1868, 4; Micrathyria Kirby, 1889, 4 (Libellulidae); Progomphus Selys, 1854, 7 (Gomphidae); Acanthagrion Selys, 1876, 4; and Argia Rambur, 1842, 7 (Coenagrionidae). Differences in water quality preferences in genera of the same family suggest that higher taxonomic resolution may allow more detailed environmental assessments.

Primer registro de la familia Piesmatidae Amyot y Serville, 1843 (Hemipetra: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea) para Colombia / First record of the family piesmatidae amyot and serville, 1843 (hemiptera: heteroptera: lygaeoidea) from colombia

ABSTRACT Piesmatidae Amyot and Serville, are relatively small phytophagous hemipterans (less than 5 mm) with a wide world distribution. We record for the first time the family for Colombia, with the species Parapiesma cinereum (Say). The specimens were collected in Sincelejo - Sucre (Caribbean coast) on plants of the family Amaranthaceae.

RESUMEN Piesmatidae Amyot y Serville, es un grupo de hemípteros fitófagos relativamente pequeños (menos de 5 mm) con una amplia distribución en el mundo. Se registra para Colombia por primera vez la presencia de la familia Piesmatidae con la especie Parapiesma cinereum (Say). Los especímenes fueron recolectados en Sincelejo - Sucre (Caribe colombiano) en plantas de la familia Amaranthaceae.

A remarkable new species of Eucyphonia (Hemiptera: Membracidae) from Boyacá, Colombia.

Eucyphonia festiva sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Santa María, Boyacá on the eastern slope of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. Eucyphonia species were previously recorded only from Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela; thus the new species represents a new generic record for Colombia. This new species was found associated with Piper sp. (Piperaceae), although further confirmation is needed to show that this is a host plant.

A new species of Pyrrhosphodrus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from the Caatinga ecosystem in Brazil, with notes on the genus.

A new species of Reduviidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from Caatinga ecosystem, Pyrrhosphodrus caatingensis Lapischies Forero sp. nov., is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its overall reddish coloration with black areas; by the black legs, with femora with a subapical yellowish broad ring, tibiae with apical and subapical yellowish annuli; and genital characters. Comments about the biology, feeding habits, habitus, genitalic images, and a distribution map of the new species are given. In addition, the following synonymy is proposed: Pyrrhosphodrus militaris Stål, 1866 = P. theresina (Berg, 1879), syn. nov. A key to separate the known species of Pyrrhosphodrus Stål, 1866 is provided.

A new species of Carvalhomiris from Colombia with an assessment of its phylogenetic position (Heteroptera, Miridae, Orthotylinae).

Plant bugs, species of Miridae (Heteroptera), are not well known in the Neotropics, and Colombia is not an exception. Based on data from the available systematic catalog (Schuh 2002-2013) fewer than 150 species are recorded from the country, clearly an underestimation. Recent fieldwork has resulted in several new interesting taxa from Colombia. Carvalhomiris Maldonado & Ferreira, 1971, contains three described species from Colombia and Ecuador. From specimens collected in Jardín, Antioquia, Carvalhomirishenryi sp. n. is described. Images of the dorsal habitus and the male and female genitalia are provided. Based on morphological examination of the new species and published information, morphological characters were coded to construct a phylogenetic matrix for a cladistic analysis in which the phylogenetic position of the new species is assessed. Carvalhomirishenryi sp. n. is the northernmost species of the genus and noteworthy because it is the first record of any species of the genus in the Western Cordillera: all other species are known from the eastern flank of the Andes (Ecuador) or the Eastern Cordillera (Colombia). Natural history observations of the new species, including associations with composites (Asteraceae) are provided. It is speculated that the mirid might be predacious.

Phylogenetics of moth-like butterflies (Papilionoidea: Hedylidae) based on a new 13-locus target capture probe set.

The Neotropical moth-like butterflies (Hedylidae) are perhaps the most unusual butterfly family. In addition to being species-poor, this family is predominantly nocturnal and has anti-bat ultrasound hearing organs. Evolutionary relationships among the 36 described species are largely unexplored. A new, target capture, anchored hybrid enrichment probe set ('BUTTERFLY2.0') was developed to infer relationships of hedylids and some of their butterfly relatives. The probe set includes 13 genes that have historically been used in butterfly phylogenetics. Our dataset comprised of up to 10,898 aligned base pairs from 22 hedylid species and 19 outgroups. Eleven of the thirteen loci were successfully captured from all samples, and the remaining loci were captured from ≥94% of samples. The inferred phylogeny was consistent with recent molecular studies by placing Hedylidae sister to Hesperiidae, and the tree had robust support for 80% of nodes. Our results are also consistent with morphological studies, with Macrosoma tipulata as the sister species to all remaining hedylids, followed by M. semiermis sister to the remaining species in the genus. We tested the hypothesis that nocturnality evolved once from diurnality in Hedylidae, and demonstrate that the ancestral condition was likely diurnal, with a shift to nocturnality early in the diversification of this family. The BUTTERFLY2.0 probe set includes standard butterfly phylogenetics markers, captures sequences from decades-old museum specimens, and is a cost-effective technique to infer phylogenetic relationships of the butterfly tree of life.

NEW PLANT ASSOCIATIONS FOR Monalonion velezangeli (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE) IN GREEN URBAN AREAS OF BOGOTÁ (COLOMBIA) / Nuevas asociaciones de plantas para Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae) en áreas verdes urbanas de Bogotá (Colombia)

ABSTRACT Monalonion velezangeli Carvalho and Costa (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous plant bug recognized as one of the most important pest species of coffee and avocado in rural regions of Colombia. M. velezangeli is reported for the first time in green urban areas in the high Andean city of Bogotá (Colombia). Specimens were collected on eight species of urban trees planted in the city, of which five represent new plant associations for M. velezangeli. The plant species Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) is for the first time reported as new host plant damaged by M. velezangeli under urban conditions.

RESUMEN Monalonion velezangeli Carvalho and Costa (Hemiptera: Miridae) es un mírido polífago reconocido como una de las especies plaga más importantes del café y el aguacate en regiones rurales de Colombia. M. velezangeli es reportado por primera vez en áreas verdes urbanas en la cordillera de los Andes en la ciudad de Bogotá (Colombia). Los especímenes fueron recolectados en ocho especies de árboles plantados en la ciudad, de los cuales cinco representan nuevas asociaciones de M. velezangeli. La especie Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) es por primera vez reportada como nueva planta hospedera afectada por M. velezangeli bajo las condiciones urbanas.

A report on Lamiaceae-feeding Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) from South America.

We provide a report on Nepticulidae feeding on Lamiaceae plants in South America and describe two new species from the Andes: Stigmella lamiacifoliae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., feeding on Salvia palifolia in Colombia, and S. scutellariae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., feeding on Scutellaria volubilis in Ecuador. The leaf mines, adults, genitalia, and habitats of the new species are illustrated.

Small range distributions in the high Andes: two new species of Liaghinella (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from Colombia.

Liaghinella Wygodzinsky, 1966 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Metapterini), is an endemic Neotropical genus with two described species, one from Jamaica and one from Colombia. In this paper we describe two additional new species from the high Andes in Colombia, Liaghinella heldamariae sp. nov from Monserrate and Villa de Leyva, and L. tuberculata sp. nov. from Chicaque Natural Park, both in the Eastern Cordillera. The new species were collected very close to the type locality of the previously known Colombian species, L. andina Forero, 2007. These two new species differ from L. andina by having both a pair of conspicuous tubercles on the posterior margin of the pronotum, and by the structure of the male and female genitalia. Species diagnosis and descriptions, digital macrophotographies, and a key to separate the species of Liaghinella are presented. A discussion on the small range distributions exhibited by the high Andean species of Liaghinella is provided.

Taxonomic revision of Collaria Provancher, 1872 (Hemiptera: Miridae) with the description of a new species from the Afrotropical region.

Collaria Provancher (Mirinae: Stenodemini) is a genus of grass-feeding plant bugs with 14 recognized species. The present work presents a taxonomic revision of the genus, including redescriptions of all species and the description of C. schwartzi sp. nov. from Central and Eastern Africa. The female genitalia of C. boliviana and C. villiersi, and the male and female genitalia of C. improvisa and C. obscuricornis are described for the first time. New distributional records for the Neotropical region are provided. A key to separate all the species and illustrations of the male and female genitalia of almost all the species are included. We highlight the need to produce better series of specimens with accurate host-plant data.

Molecular phylogeny of Harpactorinae and Bactrodinae uncovers complex evolution of sticky trap predation in assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Sticky trap predation, the use of adhesive substances to trap and capture prey, is an intriguing yet poorly studied predatory strategy. Unique among known sticky trap predators, assassin bugs (Reduviidae) have evolved both exogenous and endogenous sticky trap predatory mechanisms: some trap their prey with sticky plant resins, some scavenge insects entrapped by sticky plant trichomes and others self-produce sticky secretions. The evolution of these different strategies in assassin bugs is poorly understood due to the lack of comprehensive phylogenies. We reconstruct a phylogeny of Reduviidae (141 taxa; > 5000 bp) focusing on the Harpactorinae and Bactrodinae that engage in sticky trap predation. Ancestral state reconstruction, and temporal and geographical divergence analyses show that sticky trap predation techniques in assassin bugs evolved at least seven times independently since the late Cretaceous: use of sticky plant trichomes evolved as many as four times, resin-use twice independently and once as a transition from trichome use, and 'self-stickiness' once. Exogenous and endogenous sticky traps first appeared in the Neotropics, with the two exogenous mechanisms (resin and trichome use) subsequently evolving independently in the Old World. This study illustrates, for the first time, the complex evolutionary pattern of sticky trap predation within assassin bugs.