Global arthropod beta-diversity is spatially and temporally structured by latitude.

Global biodiversity gradients are generally expected to reflect greater species replacement closer to the equator. However, empirical validation of global biodiversity gradients largely relies on vertebrates, plants, and other less diverse taxa. Here we assess the temporal and spatial dynamics of global arthropod biodiversity dynamics using a beta-diversity framework. Sampling includes 129 sampling sites whereby malaise traps are deployed to monitor temporal changes in arthropod communities. Overall, we encountered more than 150,000 unique barcode index numbers (BINs) (i.e. species proxies). We assess between site differences in community diversity using beta-diversity and the partitioned components of species replacement and richness difference. Global total beta-diversity (dissimilarity) increases with decreasing latitude, greater spatial distance and greater temporal distance. Species replacement and richness difference patterns vary across biogeographic regions. Our findings support long-standing, general expectations of global biodiversity patterns. However, we also show that the underlying processes driving patterns may be regionally linked.

The genome sequence of the Peppered Grey, Eudonia truncicolella (Stainton, 1849).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Eudonia truncicolella (the Peppered Grey; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Crambidae). The genome sequence is 499.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.38 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of the Hoary Footman, Eilema caniola (Hübner, 1808).

We present a genome assembly from one female Eilema caniola (the Hoary Footman; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Erebidae). The genome sequence is 781.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.42 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 22,953 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Pandemis corylana (Fabricius, 1794).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pandemis corylana (the Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Tortricidae). The genome sequence is 441.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.53 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19,608 protein coding genes.

The identity of Argyrialacteella (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera, Pyraloidea, Crambinae), synonyms, and related species revealed by morphology and DNA capture in type specimens.

In this study the aim was to resolve the taxonomy of several species of Argyria Hübner (Pyraloidea, Crambinae) with previously unrecognised morphological variation. By analysing the DNA barcode (COI-5P) in numerous specimens, the aim was to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between species, to provide better evidence for synonymies, and to circumscribe their geographical distribution. Using an innovative DNA hybridisation capture protocol, the DNA barcode of the lectotype of Argyrialacteella (Fabricius, 1794) was partially recovered for comparison with the 229 DNA barcode sequences of Argyria specimens available in the Barcode of Life Datasystems, and this firmly establishes the identity of the species. The same protocol was used for the following type specimens: the Argyriaabronalis (Walker, 1859) holotype, thus confirming the synonymy of this name with A.lacteella, the holotype of A.lusella (Zeller, 1863), syn. rev., the holotype of A.multifacta Dyar, 1914, syn. nov. newly synonymised with A.lacteella, and a specimen of Argyriadiplomochalis Dyar, 1913, collected in 1992. In addition, nine specimens of A.lacteella, A.diplomochalis, A.centrifugens Dyar, 1914 and A.gonogramma Dyar, 1915, from North to South America were sampled using classical COI amplification and Sanger sequencing. Argyriagonogramma Dyar, described from Bermuda, is the name to be applied to the more widespread North American species formerly identified as A.lacteella. Following morphological study of its holotype, Argyriavestalis Butler, 1878, syn. nov. is also synonymised with A.lacteella. The name A.pusillalis Hübner, 1818, is considered a nomen dubium associated with A.gonogramma. The adult morphology is diagnosed and illustrated, and distributions are plotted for A.lacteella, A.diplomochalis, A.centrifugens, and A.gonogramma based on slightly more than 800 specimens. For the first time, DNA barcode sequences are provided for the Antillean A.diplomochalis. This work provides a modified, improved protocol for the efficient hybrid capture enrichment of DNA barcodes from 18th and 19th century type specimens in order to solve taxonomic issues in Lepidoptera.

Rapid radiation of ant parasitic butterflies during the Miocene aridification of Africa.

Africa has undergone a progressive aridification during the last 20 My that presumably impacted organisms and fostered the evolution of life history adaptations. We test the hypothesis that shift to living in ant nests and feeding on ant brood by larvae of phyto-predaceous Lepidochrysops butterflies was an adaptive response to the aridification of Africa that facilitated the subsequent radiation of butterflies in this genus. Using anchored hybrid enrichment we constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny for Lepidochrysops and its closest, non-parasitic relatives in the Euchrysops section (Poloyommatini). We estimated ancestral areas across the phylogeny with process-based biogeographical models and diversification rates relying on time-variable and clade-heterogeneous birth-death models. The Euchrysops section originated with the emerging Miombo woodlands about 22 million years ago (Mya) and spread to drier biomes as they became available in the late Miocene. The diversification of the non-parasitic lineages decreased as aridification intensified around 10 Mya, culminating in diversity decline. In contrast, the diversification of the phyto-predaceous Lepidochrysops lineage proceeded rapidly from about 6.5 Mya when this unusual life history likely first evolved. The Miombo woodlands were the cradle for diversification of the Euchrysops section, and our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that aridification during the Miocene selected for a phyto-predaceous life history in species of Lepidochrysops, with ant nests likely providing caterpillars a safe refuge from fire and a source of food when vegetation was scarce.

The genome sequence of the Chestnut, Conistra vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Conistra vaccinii (the Chestnut; Arthropoda; None; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 720.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.44 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 13,109 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Grey Pine Carpet, Thera obeliscata (Hübner, 1787).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Thera obeliscata (the Grey Pine Carpet; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 404.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.5 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of the Chevron, Eulithis testata (Linnaeus, 1761).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Eulithis testata (the Chevron; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 308.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.9 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 16,167 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Brown-spot Pinion, Agrochola litura (Linnaeus, 1761).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Agrochola litura (the Brown-spot Pinion; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 772.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.55 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19,500 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Autumnal Rustic, Eugnorisma glareosa (Esper, 1788).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Eugnorisma glareosa (the Autumnal Rustic; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 631.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.39 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19,768 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of the Ashy Button, Acleris sparsana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Acleris sparsana (the Ashy Button; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Tortricidae). The genome sequence is 589.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.4 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 22,123 protein coding genes.

Variation among 532 genomes unveils the origin and evolutionary history of a global insect herbivore.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella is a cosmopolitan pest that has evolved resistance to all classes of insecticide, and costs the world economy an estimated US $4-5 billion annually. We analyse patterns of variation among 532 P. xylostella genomes, representing a worldwide sample of 114 populations. We find evidence that suggests South America is the geographical area of origin of this species, challenging earlier hypotheses of an Old-World origin. Our analysis indicates that Plutella xylostella has experienced three major expansions across the world, mainly facilitated by European colonization and global trade. We identify genomic signatures of selection in genes related to metabolic and signaling pathways that could be evidence of environmental adaptation. This evolutionary history of P. xylostella provides insights into transoceanic movements that have enabled it to become a worldwide pest.

The mitogenome of a Malagasy butterfly Malaza fastuosus (Mabille, 1884) recovered from the holotype collected over 140 years ago adds support for a new subfamily of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera).

Malaza fastuosus is a lavishly patterned skipper butterfly from a genus that has three described species, all endemic to the mainland of Madagascar. To our knowledge, M. fastuosus has not been collected for nearly 50 years. To evaluate the power of our techniques to recover DNA, we used a single foreleg of an at least 140-year-old holotype specimen from the collection of the Natural History Museum London with no destruction of external morphology to extract DNA and assemble a complete mitogenome from next generation sequencing reads. The resulting 15 540 bp mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and an A+T rich region, similarly to other Lepidoptera mitogenomes. Here we provide the first mitogenome also for Trapezitinae (Rachelia extrusus). Phylogenetic analysis of available skipper mitogenomes places Malaza outside of Trapezitinae and Barcinae + Hesperiinae, with a possible sister relationship to Heteropterinae. Of these, at least Heteropterinae, Trapezitinae, and almost all Hesperiinae have monocot-feeding caterpillars. Malaza appears to be an evolutionarily highly distinct ancient lineage, morphologically with several unusual hesperiid features. The monotypic subfamily Malazinae Lees & Grishin subfam. nov. (type genus Malaza) is proposed to reflect this morphological and molecular evidence.

Multidisciplinary investigation of two Egyptian child mummies curated at the University of Tartu Art Museum, Estonia (Late/Graeco-Roman Periods).

Two ancient Egyptian child mummies at the University of Tartu Art Museum (Estonia) were, according to museum records, brought to Estonia by the young Baltic-German scholar Otto Friedrich von Richter, who had travelled in Egypt during the early 19th century. Although some studies of the mummies were conducted, a thorough investigation has never been made. Thus, an interdisciplinary team of experts studied the remains using the most recent analytical methods in order to provide an exhaustive analysis of the remains. The bodies were submitted for osteological and archaeothanatological study, radiological investigation, AMS radiocarbon dating, chemical and textile analyses, 3D modelling, entomological as well as aDNA investigation. Here we synthesize the results of one of the most extensive multidisciplinary analyses of ancient Egyptian child mummies, adding significantly to our knowledge of such examples of ancient funerary practices.

Unravelling relationships among the shared stripes of sailors: Mitogenomic phylogeny of Limenitidini butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae), focusing on the genera Athyma and Limenitis.

The phylogenetic relationships of the nymphalid butterfly tribe Limenitidini are best known for the genera Limenitis and Adelpha, model taxa for evolutionary processes such as Batesian mimicry and rapid adaptive radiations. Whereas these American limenitidines have received the most attention, phylogenetic relationships of their Asian relatives are still controversial and largely unexplored. Even one of the largest genera in Asia, Athyma, is polyphyletic. To clarify the phylogenetic relationships of these Asian Limenitidini, a total of 53 representatives were sampled; 37 have their mitogenomes sequenced for the first time. Our phylogenetic results confirm that mitogenomic data provides well-resolved relationships at most major levels of the phylogeny, even using different partition schemes or different inference methods. Interestingly, our results show that some Athyma taxa are embedded within the genus Limenitis, whereas the genus Tacola, previously considered to be a synonym of Athyma, needs to be recognized as a valid clade. Additionally, the other Limenitidini genera in Asia (namely Tarattia, Litinga, Sumalia, Pandita and Patsuia) are now grouped either within Athyma or Limenitis, so these genera need to be sunk. Importantly, we also show that the mainly Old World Limenitis and entirely New World Adelpha are sister groups, confirming the relevance of Asian lineages to global studies of Limenitis evolution.

DNA barcodes reveal deeply neglected diversity and numerous invasions of micromoths in Madagascar 1.

Madagascar is a prime evolutionary hotspot globally, but its unique biodiversity is under threat, essentially from anthropogenic disturbance. There is a race against time to describe and protect the Madagascan endangered biota. Here we present a first molecular characterization of the micromoth fauna of Madagascar. We collected 1572 micromoths mainly using light traps in both natural and anthropogenically disturbed habitats in 24 localities across eastern and northwest Madagascar. We also collected 1384 specimens using a Malaise trap in a primary rain forest at Andasibe, eastern Madagascar. In total, we DNA barcoded 2956 specimens belonging to 1537 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), 88.4% of which are new to BOLD. Only 1.7% of new BINs were assigned to species. Of 47 different families found, Dryadaulidae, Bucculatricidae, Bedelliidae, Batrachedridae, and Blastobasidae are newly reported for Madagascar and the recently recognized Tonzidae is confirmed. For test faunas of Canada and Australia, 98.9%-99.4% of Macroheterocera BINs exhibited the molecular synapomorphy of a phenylalanine in the 177th complete DNA barcode codon. Non-macroheteroceran BINs could thus be sifted out efficiently in the Malaise sample. The Madagascar micromoth fauna shows highest affinity with the Afrotropics (146 BINs also occur in the African continent). We found 22 recognised pests or invasive species, mostly occurring in disturbed habitats. Malaise trap samples show high temporal turnover and alpha diversity with as many as 507 BINs collected; of these, astonishingly, 499 (98.4%) were novel to BOLD and 292 (57.6%) were singletons. Our results provide a baseline for future surveys across the island.

Hawaiian Philodoria (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Ornixolinae) leaf mining moths on Myrsine (Primulaceae): two new species and biological data.

This paper provides new taxonomic and biological data on a complex of gracillariid moths in the endemic genus Philodoria Walsingham, 1907 that are associated with Myrsine (Primulaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands, United States. Two new species, Philodoria kauaulaensis Kobayashi, Johns & Kawahara, sp. n. (host: Myrsine lanaiensis, M. lessertiana, and M. sandwicensis) and P. kolea Kobayashi, Johns & Kawahara, sp. n. (host: M. lessertiana) are described. Biological data are provided for two previously described species that also feed on Myrsine: P. auromagnifica Walsingham, 1907 and P. succedanea Walsingham, 1907. For the first time we detail and illustrate genital structures, immature stages, biology, and host plants of P. auromagnifica and P. succedanea. Philodoria kolea, P. auromagnifica, and P. succedanea occur in sympatry on the island of Hawaii (Big Island), but each species differs in behavioral characters: P. kolea utilizes leaves of seedlings and forms a serpentine mine, whereas the latter two utilize leaves of larger plants, and form linear or serpentine to blotch mines. More broadly, leaf mine forms and diagnostic characteristics of the Myrsine-feeding species complex of Philodoria (as currently known) are reviewed and illustrated.

Higher DNA insert fragment sizes improve mitogenomic assemblies from metagenomic pyrosequencing datasets: an example using Limenitidinae butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae).

A large number of diverse mitogenomic sequences can be obtained more easily and affordably via mitochondrial metagenomics, which generates high-throughput sequences directly from sheared DNA extractions and assembles mitogenomic sequences using a few bioinformatic processing steps. However, following de novo assembly analysis, the optimal DNA fragment insert size is unclear. In this study, four extracted Limenitidinae butterfly DNA samples were sonically fragmented, and two fragment size ranges (200-400 and 400-600 bp) of each sample were tagged with different barcodes, producing pyrosequencing datasets. The results show that the datasets generated from longer DNA insert fragments result in better coverage and more complete mitogenomic sequences, and the phylogenetic analysis shows high support at nodes, revealing that Athyma butterflies do not represent a monophyletic group. Therefore, we recommend using longer insert DNA fragment sizes to generate high-throughput datasets for obtaining complete mitogenomic sequences which can improve phylogenetic studies.

Heteropsis (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini: Mycalesina): 19 new species from Madagascar and interim revision.

The genus Heteropsis Westwood, 1850 is monophyletic and contains the most diverse evolutionary radiation of butterflies in the Malagasy Region, with 46 up to now known species (53 accepted taxa) and at least 23 undescribed species in collections to date. Mixed species in historical descriptions and lost types in this genus have hindered taxonomic progress until now. A lectotype female is thus designated for the only surviving syntype that can be found for Mycalesis andravahana Mabille, 1878. Mycalesis difficilis Mabille, 1880 and three names of Oberthür, 1916 lectotypified here, Henotesia undulosa, Henotesia undulosa var. luctuosa and Henotesia andravahana var. macrophthalma, newly become its synonyms. A lectotype is also specified for Gallienia alaokola Oberthür, 1916. These acts now clarify potential confusion among the minimum of five species that these two nominal taxa represent, and thus facilitate description of related species compromised by the original descriptions (for one of which, the name Henotesia andravahana ab. marmorata Aurivillius, 1925 is unavailable). To solidify description of similar species, lectotypes are also designated for the following nominal species of Oberthür, 1916: Culapa comorana, C. pauper, Culapa ("var. ou espèce séparée") pseudonarcissus, C. laeta, C. laetifica, C. anceps, C. undulata, C. turbans, C. curvatula, C. ornata, C. pallida, and of Oberthür, 1923: C. houlbertiana, and also for Mycalesis iboina Ward, 1870, M. strigula Mabille, 1877, M. maeva Mabille, 1878, M. ankoma Mabille, 1878, M. irrorata Mabille, 1880 and M. butleri Mabille, 1880. The following 19 new species are described within Heteropsis from Madagascar, which are organised within species groups that are briefly characterised and discussed: in the Ht. exocellata group, Heteropsis mimetica Lees & Kremen, sp. nov.; in the Ht. antahala group, Heteropsis hazovola Lees & Raharitsimba, sp. nov.; in the Ht. drepana group, Heteropsis harveyi Lees & Kremen, sp. nov.; Heteropsis vanewrighti Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis westwoodi Lees, sp. nov., Heteropsis pauliani Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis imerina Lees, sp. nov.; in the Ht. subsimilis group, Heteropsis kremenae Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis avaratra Lees & Kremen, sp. nov. Heteropsis sogai Lees, sp. nov., and in the Ht. strigula group, Heteropsis tornado Lees, Allaoui & Aduse-Poku, sp. nov., Heteropsis lanyvary Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis barbarae Lees & Kremen, sp. nov.; Heteropsis menamenoides Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis roussettae Lees & Kremen, sp. nov.; Heteropsis tianae Lees & Kremen, sp. nov.; Heteropsis oberthueri Lees, sp. nov.; Heteropsis borgo Lees, sp. nov. and Heteropsis vertigo Lees & Raharitsimba, sp. nov. Counting the resulting synonymy of Heteropsis difficilis (Mabille, 1880), with Ht. andravahana (Mabille, 1878), this brings the Malagasy Heteropsis fauna to 64 species, about 2/3 of which are here revised.