New paper!

Raupach M.J. et al. "The discovery of an overseen pygmy backswimmer in Europe (Heteroptera, Nepomorpha, Pleidae)".

The Pleidae, or pygmy backswimmers, is a family of aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nepomorpha) containing four genera. Here, we describe Plea cryptica sp. nov. and redescribe its sister species, Plea minutissima Leach, 1817. Whereas the morphological distinction of these closely related species is only possible for males, molecular data clearly separate them. As part of our taxonomic study, we provide comprehensive molecular data including more than 200 DNA barcodes from all over Europe, complete nuclear ribosomal DNA, full mitochondrial genome data, and 3D scans for both species. Furthermore, the same molecular markers are also presented for Neoplea striola (Fieber, 1844). We used Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Pleidae and Notonectoidea based on available mitogenomic data. Our study represents a successful implementation of the proposed concept of taxonomics, using data from high-throughput sequencing technologies for integrative taxonomic studies, and allowing high confidence for both biodiversity and ecological research.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78224-6

New paper!

Zhao W. et al. "The complete mitochondrial genome of Dimorphopterus japonicus (Hidaka, 1959) (Hemiptera, Lygaeoidea) and phylogenetic relationships within the Lygaeoidea superfamily".

Dimorphopterus japonicus is a kind of pest which seriously harms sorghum and millet. In this study, we sequenced the mitochondrial whole genome of D. japonicus (Hidaka, 1959), and characterized and analyzed the mitogenome. The D. japonicus genome length is 15,473 bp, and it exhibits a typical high A + T content (77.6%). The mitogenomic structure of D. japonicus is highly conservative and there are no gene rearrangements. The evolutionary rates of the PCGs are in the order of atp8 > nad3 > nad6 > nad2 > nad5 > atp6 > nad4 > nad4L > cox2 > nad1 > cytb > cox3 > cox1. By using the Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, we inferred the phylogenetic relationships within Lygaeoidea and estimated their divergence times based on concatenated mitogenome genes. The stable clades of (Oxycarenidae + Piesmatidae), (Malcidae + Colobathristidae), (Meschiidae + Berytidae), and (Blissidae+(Cymidae + Ninidae)) were consistently recovered in all analyses. Estimated divergence times revealed that the divergence time of the Lygaeoidea was 99.4 Ma (95% HPD: 83.4-124.8 Ma), and most lygaeoid families diverged during the early Cretaceous to late Paleogene. Berytidae is the latest differentiation in the lygaeoid families, and the genus Dimorphopterus was differentiated in 45.9 Ma (95% HPD: 39.8–47.7 Ma). This study is of great significance for reconstructing the phylogeny of Lygaeoidea and providing insights into its evolutionary history.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78192-x

New paper!

Henry T.J. "Review of the Plant Bug Genus Larinocerus Froeschner (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae), with the Description of a New Species from Mexico and a Revised Key".

The phyline mirid genus Larinocerus Froeschner (Heteroptera: Miridae) is reviewed and the new species L. microguttatus n. sp. is described based on specimens taken on Salvia sp. (Lamiaceae) that were intercepted at two U.S. ports of entry from Mexico. Larinocerus balius Froeschner and L. personatus Knight are diagnosed, L. microguttatus n. sp. is described, habitus images and male genitalia of all three species are provided, and a key is given to facilitate recognition.

https://bioone.org/journals/proceedings-of-the-entomological-society-of-washington/volume-126/issue-2/0013-8797.126.2.183/Review-of-the-Plant-Bug-Genus-Larinocerus-Froeschner-Heteroptera/10.4289/0013-8797.126.2.183.short