New paper!

Smith-Pardo A.H., Lupoli R., & Benítez H.A.: "Geometric Morphometrics as a Diagnostic Tool for Cryptic Agricultural Pests: Insights from Nezarini Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)"

Understanding morphological variation is crucial for clarifying taxonomic uncertainties and enhancing the identification of economically important pest insects. In this research, geometric morphometrics (GM) was applied to analyze the head and pronotum shape of cryptic species from 3 genera within the tribe Nezarini (Acrosternum, Chinavia, and Nezara) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), which include significant agricultural pests. By quantifying shape variation, we assessed the efficacy of GM in genus-level discrimination and explored its ability to distinguish morphologically cryptic species within Acrosternum, which are often intercepted in imported commodities outside their native range (Europe and Western Asia). For species level, GM effectively distinguishes 4 frequently intercepted Acrosternum species, emphasizing its applicability in biosecurity. This study highlights GM as a reliable, reproducible, and statistically robust tool for taxonomic resolution, especially in insect groups with subtle morphological differences that are relevant to agriculture and quarantine monitoring.

https://jes.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/ents/aop/article-10.18474-JES25-29/article-10.18474-JES25-29.xml

New paper!

Taszakowski A. et al.: "A new genus and species of Deraeocorinae
(Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from Brunei Darussalam
with emphasis on the stridulatory mechanism"

Emnicoris silesianus Taszakowski, Kim & Gierlasiński gen. et sp. nov. (Deraeocorinae: Deraeocorini) is described from Brunei Darussalam. Morphological characters of the new genus and species are provided with photographs and SEM micrographs. Male and female genital structures are presented. Additionally, the uniqueness of its morphological features is discussed in the context of the tribal placement of this new genus. The stridulatory device (embolial stridulitrum and metafemoral plectra) of the new taxon is documented. The unique stridulation mechanisms of Surinamellini (Deraeocorinae) are reported and described for the first time.

https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/3055

New paper!

Qiao M. et al.: "Taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography of the Oriental subfamily Perittopinae China & Usinger, 1949 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae)"

The collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates during the Eocene represents a major tectonic shift that significantly altered biotic dynamics and promoted species diversification across the Oriental region. To explain the diversification of taxa from the Indian subcontinent into Southeast Asia, two principal hypotheses have been proposed: the “Biotic-ferry” and “Step-stone” models. The subfamily Perittopinae, a lineage of semi-aquatic bugs comprising a single genus and 20 extant species, provides an ideal system for testing these hypotheses due to its disjunct distribution spanning the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic analysis of the entire subfamily, incorporating newly defined morphological characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and historical biogeography. Morphological and phylogenetic evidence confirmed the monophyly of Perittopinae and supported the establishment of three new genera—Indoperittopus gen. nov., Pachyperittopus gen. nov., and Falciperittopus gen. nov.—in addition to four new species and four new combinations. Biogeographic reconstructions indicated a southern Indian origin, with initial diversification potentially occurring during the mid-Paleocene, coinciding with the major phases of the India-Eurasia collision. Subsequent range expansion over marine barriers facilitated colonization of the northern Sunda Shelf, consistent with the “Step-stone” dispersal mechanism. Later northward expansion from the southern Sunda Shelf during the early Miocene triggered further diversification of the genus Perittopus within the Indo-China Peninsula. These findings advance understanding of Perittopinae systematics, phylogeny, and historical biogeography, identifying the northward drift of the Indian plate and its eventual collision with Eurasia as catalysts of diversification within this semi-aquatic lineage.

https://www.zoores.ac.cn/article/cstr/32248.14.zr.2025.057