Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Aphid Genus Nippolachnus Matsumura, 1917, with Synonymy of the Mysterious Neonippolachnus Shinji, 1924 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae).

Nippolachnus Matsumura, 1917 is a small aphid genus from the tribe Tuberolachnini (Hemiptera: Lachninae) occurring in Southeast Asia. Species from this genus are quite characteristic and stand out among lachnids for their morphology and ecological associations. We have performed a revision and phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the relationships within Nippolachnus and other representatives of Tuberolachnini. Here, the taxonomy of the genus is revised based on morphological data to include seven species, three of them newly described: Nippolachnus chakrabartiisp. nov. from India, Nippolachnus sinensissp. nov. from China, and Nippolachnus malayaensissp. nov. from Indonesia. Nippolachnus appear to be non monophyletic genus and a new genus, Indolachnusgen. nov., is described to accommodate Nippolachnus himalayensis (van der Goot, 1917) as Indolachnus himalayensis (van der Goot, 1917) comb. nov. The new genus is a sister group to the remaining Nippolachnus species, which created a monophyletic clade. Neonippolachnus Shinji, 1924 syn. nov. is recognised as a synonym of Nippolachnus, and Neonippolachnus betulae Shinji, 1924 syn. nov. as a synonym of Nippolachnus micromeli Shinji, 1924. For the first time, a scanning electron microscopy study of the sexual generation of N. piri Matsumura, 1917 has been performed. Apterous and alate viviparous females of N. bengalensis Basu and Hille Ris Lambers, 1968, N. piri, and N. micromeli, and alate viviparous females of N. xitianmushanus Zhang and Zhong, 1982 are re-described and illustrated, as well as apterous and alate viviparous females of I. himalayensiscomb. nov. Hitherto unknown morphs of N. micromeli, N. piri, and N. xitianmushanus are described. A lectotype and paralectotypes of N. xitianmushanus are designated herein. Notes on distribution and host plants are given, and keys to apterous and alate viviparous females of the genera Nippolachnus and Indolachnus are also provided.

Miyalachnus-A New Lachninae Aphid Genus from Japan (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae).

The tribe Tuberolachnini within the Lachninae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is particularly intriguing due to its morphological traits and various ecological associations. Among the genera within this group, Pyrolachnus stands out as relatively understudied. Currently, only one species, Pyrolachnus imbricatus nipponicus Sorin, 2011, is known from Japan, distinguished by its distinctive characteristics. Through meticulous morphological analyses, we introduce a novel Lachninae genus, Miyalachnusgen. nov., associated with Cerasus and Prunus spp. (Rosaceae) in Japan. This new genus accommodates P. imbricatus nipponicus, now recognized as Miyalachnus nipponicus (Sorin, 2011) comb. nov. Additionally, we present a second species within this genus, Miyalachnus sorinisp. nov., along with comprehensive SEM morphological examination and insights into its biology. Our study describes in detail the morphological characteristics of both viviparous and bisexual generations of Miyalachnus, as well as their relationships with related genera.

Perianal Structures in Non-Myrmecophilous Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

Mutualistic relation with ants is one of the leading features of aphid ecology. For some aphid species, it is a crucial association enhancing their survival capability, while the life mode of some others is completely independent of ants. It was broadly accepted that during the evolution of aphids, the ones relying on ants developed special morphological adaptations for this mutualism, the so-called trophobiotic organ. Its exact structuring, however, posed some explanatory difficulties because many non-myrmecophilous aphids had structural modifications accordant with the trophobiotic organ, while some myrmecophilous did not. Here we present an evaluation of the morphology of perianal structures in 25 non-myrmecophilous aphid species with reference to previous, similar studies on myrmecophilous species based on scanning electron microscopy. We conclude that the trophobiotic organ is an existing adaptation, but its definition requires revision.

Macrosiphoniella (Asterobium) herczeki sp. nov.a new aphid species from Bulgaria (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

Here we present a description of a new aphid species from the subgenus Asterobium Hille Ris Lambers, 1938 of the genus Macrosiphoniella Del Guercio, 1911 in the tribe Macrosiphini Wilson, 1910 (Aphididae). The new speciesMacrosiphiniella (Asterobium) herczeki sp. nov. living on Galatella villosa (Asteraceae) in Tolbuchin region, Bulgaria, is described based on apterous viviparous females. The new species is morphologically similar to M. (Asterobium) konyratica Kadyrbekov, 2018 from Kazakhstan from which it differs in several morphological and metric characters. We provided an updated key to Blackmans & Eastop online key to Aster-feeding aphids.

Comparative Studies of Perianal Structures in Myrmecophilous Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

There are three types of relationships between aphids and ants: non-myrmecophilous, obligatory and facultatively myrmecophilous. The degree of involvement in this mutualism is believed to be corelated with morphological adaptations of perianal structures. In this manuscript, we analyzed the differences of these structures in obligatorily (18 species) and facultatively (10 species) myrmecophilous aphids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light stereoscopic microscopy (LSM) techniques were used for these studies. Comparison of structures showed no strict relationship between their morphology and the degree myrmecophily, with certain indication that the microsculpture of perianal cuticle may play role in protection of aphids against honeydew droplet in facultatively myrmecophilous aphids.

A new species of Eulachnus Del Guercio from China (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae).

We describe apterous and alate viviparous females of a new species of the Lachninae genus Eulachnus (Eulachnini) from China. The new species, Eulachnus blackmani sp. nov., can be easily separated from other Asian representatives of this genus: the ultimate rostral segments are without accessory setae; the spinal scleroites are larger than the pleural and marginal ones; there are a few very long setae on the distal part of the tibiae and on the hind tarsus. The new species is morphologically most similar to the European E. nigricola (Paek), and hence unusual within the Asian Eulachnus fauna.

Morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and DNA barcoding revealed a new unusual species of the aphid genus Pleotrichophorus from the USA (Insecta, Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Here, we present the descriptions of a new aphid species in the genus Pleotrichophorus Brner, 1930 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Macrosiphini), found by Kenneth L. Hibbard, inspection supervisor for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. It is associated with Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt. (Asteraceae) a native plant species in Florida, USA. Apterous and alate viviparous and oviparous females of Pleotrichophorus blackmani sp. n. are described and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images of apterous viviparous female of Pleotrichophorus glandulosus (Kaltenbach, 1846), type species of the genus Pleotrichophorus, are given for the first time. Taxonomic notes are given, and an updated key to the apterae of the Euthamia-feeding aphids is provided. A multigene phylogenetic analyses of two New World Pleotrichophorus species places the genus in the tribe Macrosiphini sensu stricto. Pleotrichophorus glandulosus, the type species of the genus, was described from Germany. European specimens of P. glandulosus from France had similar molecular sequences to both Florida species, strongly suggesting that the new species belongs in Pleotrichophorus. COI and gnd sequence data indicate that P. blackmani sp. n. can be identified reliably by DNA barcodes.

A new species of the aphid genus Uroleucon Mordvilko, 1914 (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) on Launaea acanthodes from Iran.

A new aphid species, Uroleucon (Lambersius) loxdalei sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini) living on Launaea acanthodes (Asteraceae) and collected from the highlands in the Kerman province of Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to U. (Lambersius) bielawskii (Szelegiewicz). This holocyclic aphid is monoecious, and not attended by ants. Biometric data are given and the key to the aphids associated with Launaea species is provided.

Maculolachnus blackmani (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae)a new aphid species from India and Pakistan with key to species of the genus.

Apterous viviparous females of a new species of the Lachninae genus Maculolachnus Gaumont, 1920 from India and Pakistan are described here. The new species, Maculolachnus blackmani sp. nov. can be recognized among other representatives of this genus by stiff body setae with expanded or slightly flabellate apices in contrast to hair-like, fine and pointed setae in all other species. The similarities and differences from two other most common species of MaculolachnusM. sijpkensi Hille Ris Lambers and M. submacula (Walker) have been compared. A key to apterous viviparous females of Maculolachnus is also presented.

Hitherto unknown sexual morphs of Brachysiphoniella montana (van der Goot, 1917) (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Here, we describe the hitherto unknown sexual morphs (oviparous females and males) of Brachysiphoniella montana (van der Goot, 1917) (Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini). Oviparous females and males from the Republic of Korea are described and illustrated in details. Descriptions of sexual morphs of this species confirm the holocyclic life cycle of Brachysiphoniella in areas with cooler months. Notes about distribution and host plants of the species are also given.

A new chestnut-feeding species of Stomaphis Walker (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) from Korea.

A new aphid species, Stomaphis (Stomaphis) blackmani sp. nov., is described on the basis of specimens collected on the chestnut tree, Castanea crenata Siebold Zucc. (Fagaceae) from Korea. The apterous and alate viviparous female of the new species are described with biometric measurements and illustrations. Being the first report of Stomaphis on chestnut worldwide, a brief note on the biology of the new species, and a key to Stomaphis species in the Korea Peninsula is provided.

Aphidomorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera) in the entomological collection of the Zoology Research Group, University of Silesia in Katowice (DZUS), Poland.

The digitisation of the entomology resources of the Department of Zoology, University of Silesia DZUS (presently the Zoology Research Group, Katowice, Poland) allow presenting a substantial collection of aphids, adelgids and phylloxerids (Hemiptera: Aphidomorpha). The collection preserves more than 12 500 curated specimens stored as over 9 500 slides representing 683 taxa (645 identified to the species level and 38 identified only to the genus level), 160 genera, three families and 15 subfamilies. Thirty species represent type material. The geographical analysis of the Aphidomorpha collected shows mainly Eurasian areas, with particularly good representation from Central Europe (especially Poland). The highest diversity is represented by species of Aphididae (98.6%), with the richest in samples subfamily Aphidinae (65.2%). Four hundred twelve genera (972 taxa) of host plants from 99 families were identified among the slide-mounted specimens. A new nameAphis (Aphis) jaroslavholmani nom. nov. is proposed for Aphis (Aphis) holmani Kanturski Bezdk, 2019.

Molecular phylogeny and evolution of Calaphidinae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Calaphidinae is the second-largest subfamily in the family Aphididae. Despite their species diversity and some taxonomic controversy, no phylogenetic studies have been conducted on them thus far. Herein, we report the first molecular phylogeny of Calaphidinae and two related lineages, Phyllaphidinae and Saltusaphidinae, based on five genes (3418 bp) for 126 taxa. Maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic analyses were performed on the multilocus dataset. Divergence time estimation, biogeographical reconstruction, ancestral host plant reconstruction and PhyloType analyses were performed to identify evolutionary trends in Calaphidinae. Our phylogenetic results lead to several conclusions: Phyllaphidinae is a sister group to Calaphidinae s.l.; Calaphidinae is paraphyletic with respect to the former "Saltusaphidinae"; the ingroup clade was subdivided into nine newly recognized lineages; and three subtribes of Calaphidinae (Monaphidina, Calaphdina and Panaphidina) and many genera were not recovered as monophyletic. A new classification is proposed with eight tribal divisions that reflect our phylogenetic results, including three new tribes (Pterocallidini trib.n., Pseudochromaphidini trib.n. and Shivaphidini trib.n.) and three new statuses (Saltusaphidini stat.n., Therioaphidini stat.n. and Myzocallidini stat.n.). The ancestral reconstruction results imply that the ingroup taxa's common ancestor originated in the Eastern Palaearctic and might have fed on Fagaceae in the Late Cretaceous. Later, multiple host shifts and an expanding geographical distribution led to the current species diversity of Calaphidinae. Our reconstructions suggest that species diversification cannot solely be explained by speciation via host shifts and that geographical isolation probably also played a key role. Our results provide new insight into the natural classification and history of the host plant associations and biogeography of Calaphidinae s.l.

First record of the myrmicine ant genus Syllophopsis Santschi, 1915 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India with description of a new species.

Here we describe and illustrate Syllophopsis peetersi sp. nov. from Silent Valley National Park, a biodiversity hotspot region of the Western Ghats of India. The discovery also marks a first native report of the genus from the Indian subcontinent. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to elucidate the general morphology and sensilla of the new species. The new species is similar to congeners from Madagascar, but with larger differences from species that occur elsewhere.

A new species of the aphid genus Uroleucon from Lebanon, with notes on the systematic positions of U. altaicum, U. bielawskii and U. mulgedii (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Here we present a description of a new aphid species-Uroleucon (Uroleucon) lebanonense sp. nov. associated with Tragopogon coloratus (Asteraceae) in Lebanon. Apterous and alate viviparous females of the new species are described and illustrated, and compared with the morphologically similar species Uroleucon (U.) mongolicum Holman, 1975. An identification key to Palaearctic Uroleucon species with three setae on the first tarsal segment is provided. On the basis of the re-examination of the type material, we propose to restore the valid species status of U. (U.) altaicum Szelegiewicz, 1982 bona species which was regarded as a synonym of U. mulgedii (Nevsky, 1928). Additionally, we propose transfer of U. (U.) altaicum, U. (U.) bielawskii (Szelegiewicz, 1962) and U. (U.) mulgedii to the subgenus Lambersius Olive.

Ant-induced evolutionary patterns in aphids.

This review investigates ant-aphid mutualism (trophobiosis), in particular focusing on evolutionary processes in aphids resulting from this interaction. This broad literature review allows us to revise existing views on certain aspects of this mutualism and provide the first timeline of its possible development over a geological timescale. We propose a new classification of ant-aphid mutualism with respect to its ecological characteristics and present new explanations of the development of certain morphological structures of aphids as resulting from adaptation to a trophobiotic relationship with ants. In light of these findings, the presence of the so-called 'trophobiotic organ' in all myrmecophilous aphids is questioned. We review various communication modes between aphids and mutualistic ants and the possible influence of this symbiosis on modifications of aphid life cycles. Recent evidence on the suspected role of endosymbiotic bacteria in the development of mutualism is discussed. Finally, we propose a first timeline of ant-aphid interactions leading to the development of particular adaptations of aphids to mutualism, from general interactions between diverging Aphidomorpha and ants in the late Mesozoic to more specific coevolution between the aphid tribe Fordini and the ant genus Lasius.

The reproductive system of the male and oviparous female of a model organism-the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

The structure of the reproductive system of the sexual generation-males and oviparous females-of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera, Aphididae), a serious pest of cultivated plants of Fabaceae, was investigated. For the first time we describe the morphology, histology and ultrastructure of the reproductive system in both morphs of the sexual generation of aphids within one species, using light and fluorescent microscopy, as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that males have testes composed of three follicles fused by the upper ends of the vasa efferentia, the vasa deferentia run independently, the accessory glands are asymmetric and the ejaculatory duct shortened. Oviparous females have ovaries composed of seven ovarioles each. The lateral oviducts join to a short common oviduct connected with the unpaired spermatheca and paired accessory glands. Yolky eggs with an aggregation of symbiotic bacteria at the posterior pole are produced. Histologically, the components of genital tracts are broadly similar: the epithelial cells of the walls of the vasa deferentia and accessory glands of the male and oviparous female have secretory functions which correlate with the age of the studied morphs. We also found symbiotic bacteria within the vasa deferentia epithelial cells in males and within the cells of the lateral oviducts of females. Because the pea aphid is listed among the 14 species that are of the greatest economic importance, our results will be useful for managing aphid populations, protecting plants and ensuring global food security.

Hitherto unknown and poorly known morphs of Macrosiphoniella davazhamci and M. nikolajevi (Hemiptera: Aphididae)-aphid species new to Iran.

We present the first records from Iran of Macrosiphoniella (Asterobium) davazhamci Holman Szelegiewicz, 1974 and M. (Ramitrichophorus) nikolajevi Kadyrbekov, 1999 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae) from samples collected by the late Prof. G. Remaudière. Previously, Macrosiphoniella davazhamci was known from Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China, whereas M. nikolajevi only from south Kazakhstan. The Iranian material includes hitherto unknown or poorly known morphs of those two species. We describe and illustrate for the first time the alate vivipara of M. nikolajevi and the ovipara and alate male of M. davazhamci. Additionally, we redescribe the poorly known alate vivipara of the latter species. Notes on the distribution and host plants in Iran are also provided.

Ericaphisvoegtlini, a new, unusual aphid species from the USA (Hemiptera, Aphididae).

Ericaphisvoegtlini sp. n. living on Chamaebatiafoliolosa (Rosaceae) in California is described based on apterous and alate viviparous females. The new species differs from all other species of the genus Ericaphis Börner, 1939 in several important morphological characters including very long and rigid dorsal setae and distinctly swollen siphunculi with clearly visible polygonal reticulation.