A camouflaged diversity: taxonomic revision of the thorny lacewing subfamily Symphrasinae (Neuroptera, Rhachiberothidae).

Species of the thorny lacewing subfamily Symphrasinae (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae) are revised. Prior to this work, 42 species were known in the genera Anchieta Navás, 1909, Plega Navás, 1928, and Trichoscelia Westwood, 1852. Herein, the number of species is increased to 60, 23 of which are newly described. Species previously known are redescribed, and their taxonomic status is revised. Keys, diagnoses, and high-resolution images for all species are presented. The distribution range of Anchieta is now known from Costa Rica to southern Brazil with a total of 11 species, of which three are newly described. The genus Plega is known from southwestern United States to southern Brazil and includes 28 species of which 14 are described as new. Moreover, the genus Trichoscelia occurs from central and southern Mexico to Argentina, with a total of 21 species, of which six are herein newly described. A phylogenetic analysis of Symphrasinae based on morphological characters recovered the three symphrasine genera as monophyletic, with Anchieta sister to Plega + Trichoscelia. The three genera are newly diagnosed based on a cladistic framework. Within the genus Anchieta, bee-mimicking species comprise a monophyletic group, while wasp-mimicking species form a laddered sequence to that lineage. Within Plega, three lineages are recovered, the first mostly composed of South and Mesoamerican species, the second with species predominantly from Central America and central and southern Mexico, and a third clade encompassing species mostly from central and northern Mexico and southwestern United States. By contrast, relationships between species of Trichoscelia were poorly resolved because of a simplified and conserved morphology of this group.

An unexpected new species of Isostenosmylus Krüger, 1913 (Neuroptera: Osmylidae), from the Brazilian Northeast

ABSTRACT The genus Isostenosmylus Krüger, 1913 contains 18 species distributed in South America, especially in the Andean region and in southern Brazil and Paraguay. Herein, a new species - Isostenosmylus derpi sp. n. - from a specific habitat named "Brejo de Altitude" from Paraíba state, Northeast Brazil, is described and illustrated. Distribution map and an updated taxonomic key for the genus females are provided.

The genus Climaciella Enderlein, 1910 (Neuroptera, Mantispidae) in French Guiana.

The genus Climaciella Enderlein, 1910 is a remarkable group of mantidflies (Neuroptera: Mantispidae: Mantispinae) distributed from Canada to Argentina, including parts of the Caribbean. This genus comprises nine valid extant species plus an extinct species from the late Oligocene of France. Species exhibit Batesian mimicry with vespid wasps (Vespidae). Herein, six species of Climaciella from French Guiana are documented. Before this study only C.semihyalina (Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau & Audinet-Serville in Latreille et al. 1825) was known from this territory. Two new species, C.elektroptera Ardila-Camacho, Winterton & Contreras-Ramos, sp. nov. and C.nigriflava Ardila-Camacho, Winterton & Contreras-Ramos, sp. nov., are described as well as the first records of C.amapaensis Penny, 1982, and C.tincta (Navás, 1914) provided from French Guiana. An unknown species recorded from a single female specimen is also presented. Based on the examination of material of C.amapaensis recorded here, a specimen previously recorded from Colombia as belonging to this species is herein proposed as a new species, C.risaraldensis Ardila-Camacho, sp. nov. A taxonomic key and high-resolution images of the species from French Guiana are provided.

The first record of the genus Plega Navás, 1928 (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Symphrasinae) as a parasitoid of the sawfly genus Monoctenus Dahlbom, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Diprionidae)

The genus Plega Navás, 1928, belongs to the subfamily Symphrasinae, a group recently transferred from Mantispidae to Rhachiberothidae. This genus is herein reported as parasitoid of the symphytan family Diprionidae for the first time, becoming the first record of association between this neuropteran subfamily and non-aculeate Hymenoptera. This new association was discovered in "Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc", in the Mexican state of Guerrero, where Plega spinosa Ardila et al., 2019 was found associated with immatures of the sawfly Monoctenus cuauhtemoci De Lira, 2021, a pest in forests of Juniperus flaccida Schlechtendal (white cedar). The neuropteran was found to be the most abundant parasitoid of this symphytan, becoming a potential candidate for biological control of phytophagous sawflies in juniper forests, an economically important plant species for the wood industry in the region. Considering the behavior and morphological aspects of the primary larvae and the behavior of the adults of Plega, three possible scenarios in which the primary larvae of P. spinosa board the larvae of Monoctenus to complete its life cycle are outlined. This finding reinforces the hypothesis of a generalist ectoparasitoid lifeway of the larvae of the genus Plega on larvae and pupae of holometabolous insects.(AU)

Comparative morphology of extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Neuroptera: Mantispidae, Rhachiberothidae) suggests a non-monophyletic Mantispidae and a single origin of the raptorial condition within the superfamily.

Adult external morphology of the extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae and Rhachiberothidae) is compared emphasizing the morphology of the subfamily Symphrasinae as a key group to understand the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the superfamily. Plega dactylota Rehn, 1939 is thoroughly characterized in order to exemplify the morphology of the Symphrasinae. Additionally, following a review of the literature and examination of comparative material of Dilaridae, Berothidae, Rhachiberothidae and all Mantispidae subfamilies, a new interpretation of the components of the raptorial apparatus (i.e., head, prothorax, grasping forelegs, as well as integumentary specializations) is presented. Also, wing venation for these groups is reinterpreted, and new homology hypotheses for wing venation are proposed based on tracheation and comparative analyses. Given the high morphological divergence on the genital sclerites within the Mantispoidea, plus the confusing previous usage of neutral terminology and terms referring to appendages across taxonomic and morphological studies, we attempt to standardize, simplify, and situate terminology in an evolutionary context under the "gonocoxite concept" (multi-coxopod hypothesis). The remarkable morphological similarity of the genital sclerites of Symphrasinae and Rhachiberothidae (sensu U. Aspöck Mansell 1994) with the Nallachinae (Dilaridae) was taken as a starting point to understand the morphology of other Mantispidae subfamilies. Based on these morphological comparisons, we provide a revised phylogenetic analysis of Mantispoidea. This new phylogenetic analysis supports a sister group relationship between the family Rhachiberothidae, comprising Rhachiberothinae and Symphrasinae, and the family Mantispidae, including the subfamily Mantispinae and its sister taxa Drepanicinae and Calomantispinae, which may represent a single subfamily. Based on these analyses, raptorial condition probably evolved a single time in these insects and subsequently became diversified in the two sister clades of the raptorial Mantispoidea.

New host record for the enigmatic Neotropical mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 (Neuroptera, Mantispidae), a mimic of wasps and stingless bees

Species of Symphrasinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) are ectoparasitoids of larvae and pupae of holometabolous insects, primarily of Hymenoptera in their larval stages. Herein we present the third case of an association between the mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 with the order Hymenoptera. The hymenopteran species attacked by the as of yet undescribed species of Anchieta is Montezumia dimidiata Saussure, 1852 (Vespidae: Eumeninae), a predacious wasp that constructs mud nests. The association was observed in Peruvian Amazonia (near Tarapoto, San Martín), after rearing the mantidflies from a wasp nest. The biology and mimicry pattern with stingless bees of the reared Anchieta species is discussed.(AU)

New host record for the enigmatic Neotropical mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 (Neuroptera, Mantispidae), a mimic of wasps and stingless bees

Abstract Species of Symphrasinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) are ectoparasitoids of larvae and pupae of holometabolous insects, primarily of Hymenoptera in their larval stages. Herein we present the third case of an association between the mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 with the order Hymenoptera. The hymenopteran species attacked by the as of yet undescribed species of Anchieta is Montezumia dimidiata Saussure, 1852 (Vespidae: Eumeninae), a predacious wasp that constructs mud nests. The association was observed in Peruvian Amazonia (near Tarapoto, San Martín), after rearing the mantidflies from a wasp nest. The biology and mimicry pattern with stingless bees of the reared Anchieta species is discussed.

Isostenosmylus ammirabilis sp. nov., a remarkable new species of lance lacewing (Neuroptera: Osmylidae) from the Colombian Andes.

Isostenosmylus Krüger, 1913 is the richest genus of Osmylidae of the Neotropical region, with 17 described species so far, which are distributed mainly in the Andean region and in the South of Brazil and Paraguay. A new remarkable Colombian species of Isostenosmylus-I. ammirabilis sp. nov.-is herein described and illustrated. DNA barcode of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) for this species is also provided. Taxonomic keys for the genus are updated.

Four new species of Plega Navás, 1928 (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Mexico.

Four new species of Plega Navás, 1928 (Mantispidae: Symphrasinae) from Mexico are herein described and illustrated, namely P. mixteca sp. n. from Oaxaca and Jalisco, P. stangei sp. n. from Morelos and Oaxaca, P. sonorae sp. n. from Sonora, and P. spinosa sp. n. from Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz. Including these new species, Plega's diversity raises to 17 described species, of which 12 are recorded from Mexico, and one of them, Plega variegata Navás, 1928, is herein proposed as nomen dubium. A taxonomic key to the known species of Plega from Mexico is provided.

New genera records of split-eyed owlflies (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Ascalaphinae) from Colombia

The genera Ameropterus Esben-Petersen, 1922 and Fillus Navás, 1919 are recorded from Colombia for the first time. New distributional records for two Cordulecerus Rambur, 1842 species are also presented. Ameropterus dissimilis (McLachlan, 1871) and Ameropterus scutellaris (Gerstaecker, 1894) are redescribed and illustrated, and Ameropterus mexicanus (Van der Weele, 1909) is here proposed as a junior synonym of the latter. The taxonomic status of Nephelasca crocea Navás, 1914 is discussed. Keys to the Colombian species of Ameropterus and Cordulecerus and a list of the split-eyed Ascalaphinae species of the New World are also given.(AU)

Bionomics and Ecological Services of Megaloptera Larvae (Dobsonflies, Fishflies, Alderflies).

Megaloptera belong to a large monophyletic group, the Neuropteroidea, together with Coleoptera, Strepsiptera, Raphidioptera, and Neuroptera. With the latter two, this order constitutes the Neuropterida, a smaller monophyletic subset among which it is the only entirely aquatic group, with larvae of all species requiring submersion in freshwater. Megaloptera is arguably the oldest extant clade of Holometabola with aquatic representatives, having originated during the Permian before the fragmentation of Pangea, since about 230 Ma. It includes 54 genera (35 extant and 19 extinct genera), with 397 extant described species and subspecies. Recent Megaloptera are divided into two families: Corydalidae (with subfamilies Corydalinae-dobsonflies and Chauliodinae-fishflies) and Sialidae (alderflies), both widely yet disjunctively distributed among zoogeographical realms. All species of Megaloptera have aquatic larvae, whereas eggs, pupae, and adults are terrestrial. The anatomy, physiology, and behavior of megalopteran larvae are specialized for an aquatic predatory habit, yet their ecological significance might still be underappreciated, as their role in food webs of benthic communities of many temperate and tropical streams and rivers is still understudied and largely unquantified. In many freshwater ecosystems, Megaloptera larvae are a conspicuous benthic component, important in energy flow, recycling of materials, and food web dynamics.

New genera records of split-eyed owlflies (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Ascalaphinae) from Colombia

The genera Ameropterus Esben-Petersen, 1922 and Fillus Navás, 1919 are recorded from Colombia for the first time. New distributional records for two Cordulecerus Rambur, 1842 species are also presented. Ameropterus dissimilis (McLachlan, 1871) and Ameropterus scutellaris (Gerstaecker, 1894) are redescribed and illustrated, and Ameropterus mexicanus (Van der Weele, 1909) is here proposed as a junior synonym of the latter. The taxonomic status of Nephelasca crocea Navás, 1914 is discussed. Keys to the Colombian species of Ameropterus and Cordulecerus and a list of the split-eyed Ascalaphinae species of the New World are also given.

New species and new distributional records of Neotropical Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera).

The Neotropical fauna of Mantispidae is currently composed of 106 species. We provide new distributional records of Mantispidae from Colombia and Panama. Three new species are described, one in Symphrasinae from Colombia, and two in Mantispinae from Colombia and Panama. Haematomantispa nubeculosa (Navás, 1933) and Leptomantispa axillaris (Navás, 1908) are reported from Colombia for the first time, the former being the first record of the genus in the country. New locality records for other species previously known from Colombia are also given. For Panama, we report Anchieta fasciatella (Westwood, 1867) and Trichoscelia iridella (Westwood, 1867) for the first time, the former is herein newly transferred from Plega to Anchieta. Three names Mantispa confluens Navás, 1914, n. syn., Buyda apicata Navás, 1926, n. syn., and Mantispa neotropica Navás, 1933, n. syn., are here synonymized with Buyda phthisica (Gerstaecker, 1885). Updated keys for the genera of Mantispinae, and species of genera Trichoscelia, Buyda, and Climaciella from Colombia are included. With this new information, the known species richness of Mantispidae from Colombia increases from 21 to 26, and from 16 to 19 species in Panama.

First record of spongillaflies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) from Colombia.

The family Sisyridae (spongillaflies) is a small group of neuropterans distributed in all Biogeographic realms (Cover & Resh 2008). As in Nevrorthidae, Sisyridae is distinguished among other Neuroptera families by their strictly aquatic larvae (Wichard et al. 2002). The phylogenetic relationships of Sisyridae have been controversial i.e. the family was recovered at different positions within the Neuropterida phylogeny as a basal group among members of Neuroptera or whitin the suborder Hemerobiiformia with a very variable placement (Randolf et al. 2013). Currently the species richness of this group reaches 70 representatives in four genera, namely Climacia McLachlan, 1869 (New World), Sisyra Burmeister, 1839 (cosmopolitan), Sisyrina Banks, 1939 (Africa, Asia and Australia), and Sisyborina Monserrat, 1981 (endemic to Africa) (Parfin & Gurney 1956; Cover & Resh 2008).

NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORDS OF MECOPTERA (INSECTA) FROM COLOMBIA

RESUMEN Nuevos registros distribucionales para dos especies de Bittacidae de Colombia son presentados. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 y Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previamente conocidos en el departamento de Cundinamarca se registran aquí en Santander y Magdalena, respectivamente. Además, Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 se reporta para Colombia por primera vez, aumentando el número de especies de Mecoptera en el país. Se incluyen comentarios sobre el comportamiento copulatorio de P. convolutus, así como también un mapa de distribución y un listado actualizado de Mecoptera de Colombia.

ABSTRACT We present new distributional records for two Colombian species of Bittacidae. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 and Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previously known from Cundinamarca department are herein newly recorded from Santander and Magdalena, respectively. In addition, we recorded Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 in Colombia for the first time, increasing the number of species of Mecoptera in the country. Comments about mating behavior of P. convolutus, as well as a distribution map and a check-list of Colombian species of Mecoptera are included.

New distributional records of Mecoptera (Insecta) from Colombia

We present new distributional records for two Colombian species of Bittacidae. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 and Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previously known from Cundinamarca department are herein newly recorded from Santander and Magdalena, respectively. In addition, we recorded Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 in Colombia for the first time, increasing the number of species of Mecoptera in the country. Comments about mating behavior of P. convolutus, as well as a distribution map and a check-list of Colombian species of Mecoptera are included.(AU)

Nuevos registros distribucionales para dos especies de Bittacidae de Colombia son presentados. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 y Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previamente conocidos en el departamento de Cundinamarca se registran aquí en Santander y Magdalena, respectivamente. Además, Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 se reporta para Colombia por primera vez, aumentando el número de especies de Mecoptera en el país. Se incluyen comentarios sobre el comportamiento copulatorio de P. convolutus, así como también un mapa de distribución y un listado actualizado de Mecoptera de Colombia.(AU)

New distributional records of Mecoptera (Insecta) from Colombia

We present new distributional records for two Colombian species of Bittacidae. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 and Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previously known from Cundinamarca department are herein newly recorded from Santander and Magdalena, respectively. In addition, we recorded Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 in Colombia for the first time, increasing the number of species of Mecoptera in the country. Comments about mating behavior of P. convolutus, as well as a distribution map and a check-list of Colombian species of Mecoptera are included.

Nuevos registros distribucionales para dos especies de Bittacidae de Colombia son presentados. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 y Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previamente conocidos en el departamento de Cundinamarca se registran aquí en Santander y Magdalena, respectivamente. Además, Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 se reporta para Colombia por primera vez, aumentando el número de especies de Mecoptera en el país. Se incluyen comentarios sobre el comportamiento copulatorio de P. convolutus, así como también un mapa de distribución y un listado actualizado de Mecoptera de Colombia.

New distributional records of mecoptera (insecta) from colombia

RESUMEN Nuevos registros distribucionales para dos especies de Bittacidae de Colombia son presentados. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 y Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previamente conocidos en el departamento de Cundinamarca se registran aquí en Santander y Magdalena, respectivamente. Además, Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 se reporta para Colombia por primera vez, aumentando el número de especies de Mecoptera en el país. Se incluyen comentarios sobre el comportamiento copulatorio de P. convolutus, así como también un mapa de distribución y un listado actualizado de Mecoptera de Colombia.

ABSTRACT We present new distributional records for two Colombian species of Bittacidae. Pazius convolutus García-García & Cadena-Castañeda, 2015 and Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previously known from Cundinamarca department are herein newly recorded from Santander and Magdalena, respectively. In addition, we recorded Bittacus pignatelli Navás, 1932 in Colombia for the first time, increasing the number of species of Mecoptera in the country. Comments about mating behavior of P. convolutus, as well as a distribution map and a check-list of Colombian species of Mecoptera are included.

Neotropical osmylids (Neuroptera, Osmylidae): Three new species of Isostenosmylus Krüger, 1913, new distributional records, redescriptions, checklist and key for the Neotropical species.

Osmylidae is a small family of Neuroptera with a worldwide distribution. Only four subfamilies and five genera of Osmylidae have been reported to date for the Neotropical region, with a total of 16 species, whilst 200 species are known in the world. In this study three new species are described-Isostenosmylus bifurcatus n. sp., I. irroratus n. sp. and I. julianae n. sp. Moreover, species of Gumilla Navás, 1912 and Paryphosmylus Krüger, 1913 are redescribed; additionally one larva of Isostenosmylus sp. and the female of Isostenosmylus fasciatus Kimmins, 1940 are described. Images of type specimens of Neotropical species of Osmylidae are provided. New records of known species are reported and a distribution map is presented. An updated checklist and a key for Neotropical species of Osmylidae are provided.

Mantidflies of Colombia (Neuroptera, Mantispidae).

This study revises the Mantispidae of Colombia. 151 adult specimens of 12 entomological museums of Colombia were examined and identified. On the basis of the specimens studied and a comprehensive literature search, it is determined that 20 nominal species (including two doubtful records) plus four proposed as new to science, in ten genera (Anchieta, Plega, Trichoscelia, Gerstaeckerella, Buyda, Climaciella, Dicromantispa, Entanoneura, Leptomantispa, and Zeugomantispa) and, three subfamilies (Symphrasinae, Drepanicinae, and Mantispinae) occur in Colombia. In addition, A. eurydella (Westwood), C. amapaensis Penny and P. fasciatella (Westwood) are redescribed, providing complementary information to the original descriptions. A list of Colombian Mantispidae, distribution maps and taxonomic keys to subfamilies, genera and species are included. Illustrations of the external morphology and male genitalia are provided for selected species. The taxonomic status of P. hagenella (Westwood) is discussed, and its diagnostic characters are redefined. Anchieta remipes (Gerstaecker) is newly transferred to this genus from Trichoscelia.