A new and unusual Digonocryptus Viereck (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae,Cryptinae), with notes on two other rare species.

Digonocryptus magnus sp. nov., from French Guyana, is described and illustrated, and new records, morphological and morphometric data are presented for two other rare species, D. coloratus (Szpligeti, 1916), registered for the first time from Colombia, and D. zatheos Aguiar & Santos, 2012. The new species is characterized by having the apical margin of the clypeus straight, medially with a small tooth, propodeal apophyses stout, scale-shaped, fore wing with ramellus, areolet about as wide as high, nearly quadrate, 2r-m as long as the mostly spectral 3r-m, T1basally with a distinct lateral rounded flange, and the longest ovipositor of the genus. The study employs morphological character coding combined with a reanalysis of published molecular data to investigate the phylogenetic placement of D. magnus. The results suggest that it may represent a borderline species within Digonocryptus or potentially a new genus, although further investigation is required due to limited available material and inconclusive data.

One hundred new records, a new species, and the first pictures of Agonocryptus Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae).

Updated distribution maps are provided for all known species of Agonocryptus, with 115 new distribution records for 16 species, an expansion from 166 to 281 unique coordinates, or nearly 70%, in relation to what was previously published. A new species is proposed, A. glaphyrus sp. nov., from Colombia. All taxa previously treated as subspecies are raised to the rank of species, as follows: A. chichimecus (Cresson, 1873) stat. nov., A. coxinota Gupta, 1982 stat. nov., A. discoidaloides (Viereck, 1905) stat. nov., A. flavosternum Gupta, 1982 stat. nov., A. nigrifemur Gupta, 1982 stat. nov., A. nigristernum Gupta, 1982 stat. nov., A. paulus Gupta, 1982 stat. nov., and A. tucumanus Gupta, 1982 stat. nov. New distribution data is provided for the following taxa, with new records for countries specified where applicable: A. adustus Gupta, 1982, new to Colombia; A. argentinus Gupta, 1982; A. brevicauda Kasparyan Ruz-Cancino, 2005, new to Brazil; A. chichimecus; A. discoidaloides; A. flavosternum; A. fumosus Gupta, 1982; A. heathi (Brues, 1912); A. lioneli Gupta, 1982; A. nigristernum; A. physocnemis (Brull, 1846); A. rufithorax Gupta, 1982; A. rugifrons Gupta, 1982; A. russulus Gupta, 1982; A. tricolor Gupta, 1982; and A. varus (Brull, 1846), new to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guyana, Guyana, and Trinidad Tobago. Images of the studied species are published for the first time, including the males of A. discoidaloides, A. physocnemis, and A. rugifrons, documenting both the typical morphology of each taxon and their morphological variation, which is also described and discussed. Specimens cited by Gupta (1982) as likely to represent a distinct subspecies of A. varus are identified as Digonocryptus zopherus Aguiar Santos, 2012. Elevation data, both from the literature and original, is compiled and compared, revealing a range of preferences among different species.

Revision of Fortipalpa Kasparyan & Ruíz-Cancino, (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae).

Fortipalpa Kasparyan & Ruíz-Cancino, 2007 originally accommodates only its type species, F. yucatanica Kasparyan & Ruíz-Cancino, 2007. The genus can be distinguished from all other Neotropical Cryptini by having mandible with ventral tooth subequal to slightly longer than dorsal tooth; propodeum anteriorly smooth, posteriorly with transverse striation; T1 long and slender, without anterolateral tooth; and ovipositor moderately long and straight, with ventral valve without a lobe covering dorsal valve. The genus is revised, and the following new species are proposed, described, and illustrated: F. exelysae sp. nov., F. frida sp. nov., F. heredia sp. nov., F. panamensis sp. nov., F. pichincha sp. nov., F. sacha sp. nov., and F. shakira sp. nov. The male of F. exelysae sp. nov., the first for the genus, is also described and illustrated; other males remain unknown. The type species is redescribed and illustrated, including pictures of the paratype and a new record to Trinidad. Figures, distribution maps and a taxonomic key are provided for all valid species.

A new species, key and further redefinition of Nesolinoceras Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae).

A new species of Nesolinoceras Ashmead from the Dominican Republic is described and illustrated. A key to the species and a revised and expanded distribution map is presented. This is the third species recognized for the genus, and the first one confirmed to occur in high altitude (1100 m). When compared with the previously known species, a number of unique and shared features emerged, supporting a redefinition of the genus beyond that of Santos (2016): (1) the known inter-specific variability of 48% of the examined characters increased considerably, confirming their diagnostic value at the species-level, and (2) the stability of six features support them as additionally diagnostic for the genus: 2223 flagellomeres; mesoscutum subcircular, as long as wide; scuto-scutellar carina absent, axillary trough shallow, indistinct on scutellum; subalar ridge wide, somewhat ovoid, not keeled; crossvein 1cu-a arising basad of vein 1M+Cu by about 0.3 its length; and vein 2-M only slightly longer than vein 3-M. Furthermore, two important measurements for the diagnosis of Nesolinoceras now have new, expanded ranges: areolet 1.82.6 as long as pterostigma width, and areolet 0.71.0 as long as wide. The new taxon is readily recognizable by having the body mostly brown, fully infuscated wings, and the longest ovipositor of the species, among other diagnostic features. A new geographic record and in situ photo are also provided for N. laluzbrillante Santos.

Species delimitation, environmental cline and phylogeny for a new Neotropical genus of Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae).

A morphologically unusual Cryptini, Cryptoxenodon gen. nov. Supeleto, Santos & Aguiar, is described and illustrated, with a single species, C. metamorphus sp. nov. Supeleto, Santos & Aguiar, apparently occurring in two disjunct populations in northern and southeastern South America. The highly dimorphic female and male are described and illustrated. The phylogenetic relationships of the new genus are investigated using a matrix with 308 other species of Cryptini in 182 genera, based on 109 morphological characters and molecular data from seven loci. The analyses clearly support Cryptoxenodon gen. nov. as a distinct genus, closest to Debilos Townes and Diapetimorpha Viereck. Species limits and definition are investigated, but despite much morphological variation the analyses at the specimen level do not warrant the division of the studied populations into separate species. The considerable morphological variation is explored with principal component analyses of mixed features, and a new procedure is proposed for objective analysis of colors. The relationship of color and structural variation with altitude and latitude is demonstrated and discussed, representing an important case study for Ichneumonidae. Externally, Cryptoxenodon gen. nov. can be recognized mainly by its unusually large mandibles, but other diagnostic features include clypeus wide; sternaulus complete, distinct and crenulate throughout; areolet closed, about as long as pterostigma width; petiole anteriorly with distinct triangular projection on each side, spiracle near posterior 0.25; propodeum without posterior transverse carina; and propodeal apophyses conspicuously projected.

A new species and southernmost record of Cestrus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae).

Cestrus itatiensis sp. nov., from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is described and illustrated. This is the southernmost record for the genus and the first record in Brazil. The new species is characterized by having the body reddish brown; a narrow yellow stripe along eye margin on supra-clypeal area, reaching briefly the supra-antennal area; transverse carina of propodeum complete and stout; postpetiole and T2-8 progressively dark brown towards apical margin in a somewhat triangular pattern; and apex of dorsal valve of ovipositor with nine distinct teeth. Extensive sampling suggest this is a rare species.

A new device to autonomously feed individualized mantids on extended periods of time

ABSTRACT Mantises can live for many months, are naturally voracious, and feed invariably on live prey. Many species have a propensity for cannibalism and cannot be kept together for most of their life cycle, which makes large-scale rearing typically time-consuming, thus easily becoming prohibitive. This is particularly true for early instars, because they are the most abundant stage of a developmental cohort. Such limitation hinders research on Mantodea which depend on live individuals, such as behavior, physiology, ontogeny, and others. In this work, a simple, low-maintenance "self-service" device is described, which is greatly effective in reducing the time needed for keeping live, individual, small to medium-sized mantises. Trial and error usage and modifications along eight years lead to many improvements, resulting in a nearly optimal device for its target purpose. The final model allows rearing large numbers of mantises while demanding only a fraction of the time demanded by conventional rearing techniques. Key advantages include prevention of cannibalism, the possibility of monitoring mantises individually, and full functioning autonomy of up to several weeks. The new device has ample potential in stimulating and supporting Mantodea research on diverse areas.

Long-term seasonal dominance of the wasp Trihapsis polita Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

BACKGROUND: The temporal dynamics of insect populations in tropical environments is highly complex and poorly known. Long-term seasonality studies are scarce, and particularly so for ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae). This study represents an effort to elucidate aspects of seasonality and forest succession in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. NEW INFORMATION: We report on the seasonal and successional dominance of the ichneumonid wasp Trihapsis polita (Cryptinae). A long-term survey of Cryptinae was carried out in a protected area of Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in primary, tall secondary and low secondary forest areas. Specimens were collected during rainy season (RS) and dry season (DS) between 2000 and 2008, with total sampling effort of 4,095 trap-days. A total of 8,385 specimens of Cryptinae were collected, of which 6,655 (79.4%) belonged to T. polita. The occurrence of T. polita species was heavily concentrated in the RS, with abundance 148× higher than during the DS. Seasonal fluctuation was also detected for Cryptinae as a whole, but was two orders of magnitude lower. Sampling efficiency also varied widely among areas, with the peak of abundance at the tall secondary forest. The dominance of T. polita in secondary vegetation might be of general interest, as this type of forest is currently on the rise, due to unprecedented levels of human pressure.

Diurnal flight periodicity of a Neotropical ant assemblage (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT In this study we document for the first time flight patterns along a 24 h time range for an ant assemblage in one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Malaise traps were used to analyze the diurnal nuptial flights of a Neotropical ant assemblage during five days. Traps captured 802 individuals, revealing a remarkably high diversity (42 ant species), with samples strongly male biased (1:22). Contrariwise to similar studies, we found only a small proportion of species engaged in nocturnal nuptial flights, with diurnal flights accounting for an impressive 95% of all ant flight activity recorded. For the 18 most common species, three ant groups could be identified regarding flight period: sunrise, sunset, and continuous flight activity. Similarity analyses, however, suggest that closely related time ranges of flight activity may actually not be continuous. Further, three species showed pulsed flight activity, at varied hours of the day. Two species of Hypoponera showed flight activity at different periods of the day, suggesting congeneric staggered nuptial flights. Our results match long-term studies of ant assemblages showing high diversity of flight phenologies in hyperdiverse tropical ant assemblages and provide the first data on the reproductive phenology for several Neotropical ant species.

Nomenclatural issues in ornithology: the incredible controversy on the identity of a long overlooked Brazilian bird.

The identity of Scytalopus speluncae (Ménétriés, 1835) (Aves: Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae), a tapaculo from southeastern Brazil, has been the matter of debate during the last eight years. A group of ornithologists considers that the nomen Scytalopus speluncae should be attributed to a species endemic to coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil, whereas another group considers it a species from the drier environments of another mountain belt in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Both research groups disagree on the identity of the still extant but damaged alleged holotype, deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, on the identity of the holotype specimen illustration from a plate accompanying the species description, and even on the type locality. To further complicate this matter of identity, members of each research group, based on their own interpretations of the identity of Scytalopus speluncae, described and named again the two species with different nomina, erecting at least one unnecessary nomen. After almost ten years of a debate, there is still no consensus on the identity of the species, and there are now at least three available nomina for apparently only two distinct biological species. As taxonomists belonging to fields of zoology other than ornithology, and realizing the above situation is mainly a nomenclatural one, we herein present a summary of the contentious issue, try to distinguish what seems to be facts and speculation and based on these we consider the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (the Code) whenever appropriate, in the hope of bringing some objectivity to the debate. We conclude that no unequivocal evidence was presented to decide to which species the type specimen belongs solely based on its morphological characters, since the holotype presents considerable damage. On the other hand, the original designation of the type locality by Ménétriés (1835) as São João del Rei, in southeastern Brazil, is unquestionable. Thus, the posterior re-designation of the type locality by a group of ornithologists was not done according to the Code. Contrary to the proposition made by a group of ornithologists that the nomen Scytalopus speluncae should be maintained to the species so called up to 2006 until further evidence confirms the identity of the holotype, we here argue that for now the nomen should be applied to the only species known to occur in the vicinities of the type locality, as established by the author of the species. Nevertheless, we also agree that obtaining molecular data from the holotype should be attempted to definitely solve the query.

Phylogeny and revision of Messatoporus Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of sixty five new species.

The large New World genus Messatoporus Cushman is diagnosed, redefined, described, and its species revised. A total of 89 valid species are recognized, of which 65 are described as new. All previously known species are redescribed and illustrated. The following synonyms are proposed: M. jocosus (Provancher) and M. rufiventris Cushman under M. discoidalis (Cresson), syn. nov. and M. tricolor (Szépligeti) under M. variegatus (Szépligeti) syn. nov. The following new species are proposed: M. advenus, M. albiaterartus, M. allomeros, M. amarelus, M. amazonensis, M. amplithorax, M. andinus, M. anepomius, M. apiopharkis, M. argentinus, M. atlanticus, M. atrifoveus, M. aurantius, M. badius, M. basiflavus, M. bennetii, M. bicolor, M. bimaculatus, M. campanulatus, M. caxiuanensis, M. citreocephalus, M. complexifemur, M. concavivenus, M. convexus, M. copiosus, M. depressifrons, M. dialeipsis, M. dissidens, M. dominicanus, M. elektor, M. ellipsicavus, M. euryoikos, M. igneus, M. interceptus, M. keraiopetalus, M. laevilatus, M. latissulcus, M. longicaudis, M. longitergus, M. lordos, M. lunatus, M. maculiscus, M. matucanus, M. nigriangulatus, M. nigriscapus, M. nigriscutus, M. occidentalis, M. opacus, M. orientalis, M. paeneater, M. pallidus, M. paradoxus, M. paralissonotus, M. pleuriflavus, M. semialbiventris, M. semiaurantigaster, M. subalaris, M. tenuiorbis, M. tenuissimus, M. teutonicus, M. titans, M. unidentatus, M. unimaculatus, M. versicolor and M. xanthogaster spp. nov. As well, a lectotype is designated for M. townesi Alayo and Tzankov, and Messatoporus nigrispina (Cameron) is transferred to Prosthoporus Porter, comb. nov.. A key to species based on both sexes is also presented, and new distribution records and distribution maps are provided. The validity and relationships of the genus are investigated cladistically using 162 morphological characters for 27 species of Messatoporus and 105 outgroup taxa. Tree search was conducted using TNT under implied weighting, with values of 1­6 for the concavity constant (K). All analyses recovered Messatoporus as a monophyletic group, supported by 7­11 synapomorphies. The results also support the monophyly of the six studied genera of Osprynchotina, in a clade including also Dotocryptus Brèthes. Messatoporus is diagnosed by the combination of the following features: apicolateral corners of clypeus projected; mandible long and tapered, ventral tooth much shorter than dorsal one or indistinct; transverse sulcus at base of propodeum long and shallow; anterior margin of propodeum concave; posterior area of propodeum almost always transversely wrinkled; first metasomal spiracle placed approximately on midlength; median dorsal carina of first metasomal segment absent; ovipositor basally cylindrical, apically depressed, with ventral valve enclosing completely dorsal valve as a sheath. A second analysis including all species of the genus was performed to evaluate the phylogeny at the genus level. The character set for that analysis included 104 characters considered of phylogenetic importance within the genus, and used the same tree searching protocol as the first one. A distinct and gradual transition is detected, from species more similar to the remaining Osprynchotina to a significantly different morphotype with several convergences with the Gabuniina. These convergences are interpreted as adaptations to host location and substrate perforation, and may be related to use of more deeply concealed hosts.

Phylogeny and revision of Toechorychus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of thirty-five new species.

The Neotropical Toechorychus Townes is revised, cladistically defined, and diagnosed. A total of 40 species are recognized, 35 of which are described as new: T. amapaeus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. amazonensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. barticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. benius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. bombuscarus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. calius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. callangus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. catarinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. coaracius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. darienus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. fluminensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. guarapuavus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. heredius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. itapuensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. jatainus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. kawus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. linaresius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marcapatus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marowijnus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. martinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. melgassus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. morelus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. napus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. nourageus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. ondensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. paramaribus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. pirrus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. sinopus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. surinamus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. taperinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. teutonius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. tumazulus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vilhenus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vinhaticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. zulius Tedesco, sp. nov. The other valid species are T. abactus (Cresson), T. albimaculatus (Taschenberg), T. brevicaudis (Szépligeti), T. cassunungae (Brauns), and T. stramineus (Taschenberg). Toechorychus can be recognized by the epicnemial carina usually not reaching more than 0.3 of the distance to subtegular ridge; dorsal valve of ovipositor with a subapical V-shaped sulcus; ovipositor with a subapical constriction; ovipositor sheath about 0.1 as long as hind tibia; and dorsal margin of pronotum swollen. A key and descriptions, including photographic illustrations and distribution maps, are provided to all valid species; a cladistic analysis of the genus is also performed. Seventy three new characters are proposed for the analysis of Cryptinae phylogeny. Toechorychus was recovered as a monophyletic group supported by 7­17 synapomorphies, closely related to Lymeon Förster and Acerastes Cushman. Two new synapomorphies are discovered for Toechorychus, a subapical V-shaped sulcus at the dorsal valve of the ovipositor, and a subapical constriction of the ovipositor present basad of the apical teeth of the ventral valve. Published host records were compiled and three new records are provided as follows: T. albimaculatus is a parasitoid of Mischocyttarus drewseni (Saussure) (Vespidae, Polistinae); T. stramineus is a parasitoid of M. basimacula (Cameron) and T. heredius sp. nov. is a parasitoid of M. collarellus Richards. A neotype is designated for T. cassunungae.

Knowledge of insect diversity in Brazil: challenges and advances.

Insects will soon reach one million known species worldwide. Brazil, with about 9% of this total, and possibly another 400 thousand species yet to be discovered, harbors the highest insect diversity in the world. The country has a complement of about 140 active taxonomists, which means a quota of 3,600 insect species per professional. Each Brazilian taxonomist publishes, on average, about 100 species during a professional life span, so it would take 2-3 thousand years to only know the country's insect diversity. Some of the problems hindering the development of insect taxonomy in Brazil are: difficulties with international loans; difficulties with permission for dissecting loaned type specimens; low scientific esteem of taxonomic journals as assessed by the Impact Factor index; academic low esteem of taxonomy knowledge; legal restrictions to field work and disregard of the Brazilian legislation that regulates the final destination of biological material. If truly responsible actions towards preserving biological diversity are to be undertaken nationwide, key problems must be addressed and solved: creation of a national center of information on entomological diversity; investment in a core of institutions that would act as an axis for the development of taxonomic knowledge; investment in the formation of a new generation of taxonomists; elimination of bureaucratic obstacles currently hampering the accomplishment of the constitutional mandate for developing knowledge on biological diversity and developing organized actions to control the deforestation of highly biodiverse areas.

Knowledge of insect diversity in Brazil: challenges and advances / Conhecimento da diversidade de insetos no Brasil: desafios e avanços

Insects will soon reach one million known species worldwide. Brazil, with about 9 percent of this total, and possibly another 400 thousand species yet to be discovered, harbors the highest insect diversity in the world. The country has a complement of about 140 active taxonomists, which means a quota of 3,600 insect species per professional. Each Brazilian taxonomist publishes, on average, about 100 species during a professional life span, so it would take 2-3 thousand years to only know the country's insect diversity. Some of the problems hindering the development of insect taxonomy in Brazil are: difficulties with international loans; difficulties with permission for dissecting loaned type specimens; low scientific esteem of taxonomic journals as assessed by the Impact Factor index; academic low esteem of taxonomy knowledge; legal restrictions to field work and disregard of the Brazilian legislation that regulates the final destination of biological material. If truly responsible actions towards preserving biological diversity are to be undertaken nationwide, key problems must be addressed and solved: creation of a national center of information on entomological diversity; investment in a core of institutions that would act as an axis for the development of taxonomic knowledge; investment in the formation of a new generation of taxonomists; elimination of bureaucratic obstacles currently hampering the accomplishment of the constitutional mandate for developing knowledge on biological diversity and developing organized actions to control the deforestation of highly biodiverse areas.

Em breve, um milhão de espécies de insetos estará descrita em todo mundo. O Brasil, com cerca de 9 por cento desse total e possivelmente outras 400 mil espécies ainda não descritas, tem a maior diversidade de insetos. Mas temos cerca de 140 taxônomos ativos, o que significa aproximadamente 3.600 espécies de insetos para cada profissional. Como cada um deles publica em média 100 espécies novas durante sua vida profissional, seriam necessários 2-3 mil anos para descrever toda nossa entomodiversidade. Alguns dos problemas para o desenvolvimento da taxonomia de insetos no Brasil são: dificuldades em obter empréstimos de alguns museus estrangeiros; dificuldades para dissecar espécimes tipos emprestados; depreciação de revistas taxonômicas pela aplicação do fator de impacto; persistência da compreensão limitada do valor do conhecimento taxonômico; legislação restritiva para trabalho de campo; e desrespeito à legislação brasileira que regulamenta sobre o depósito de material biológico coletado no país. Para ações verdadeiramente efetivas para preservação da diversidade biológica no país são necessários: a criação de um centro nacional de informação sobre o conhecimento de diversidade entomológica; investimentos em conjunto de instituições que atuariam como eixos de desenvolvimento do conhecimento taxonômico; investimentos na formação de novos taxonomistas; soluções para os problemas burocráticos que inibem o cumprimento constitucional de conhecimento da biodiversidade; e ações altamente organizadas para conter o desmatamento em áreas de alta diversidade.