New paper!

Xiong H. et al.: "First record of silk-loving genus Monteithophila (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Plokiophilidae) from Asia, with description of a new species from China".

The silk-loving bug Monteithophila hainanensis sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Plokiophilidae) is described from Hainan, southern China, where it was found on the webs of Spinathele sp. (Araneae, Macrothelidae). This new species represents the first record of the genus Monteithophila Schuh, Štys & Cassis, 2015 outside Oceania. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by its smaller body size, head uniformly colored yellowish brown to reddish brown, fore major claws slightly longer than mid ones with no significant difference, and distinct morphology of corial glands on the hemelytra. A key to the species of Monteithophila is presented. In addition, the ecological characteristics of the new species and the morphology of the genitalia are briefly discussed.

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New paper!

Yin J.-D. et al.: "Phylogenetic Relationships of Plant Bugs Based on Mitochondrial Genomes (Heteroptera: Miridae)".

Miridae is the most species-rich family of true bugs and plays an important role in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, contemporary controversies surrounding their phylogenetic relationships and subfamily classification still lack consensus. This study employs molecular systematics to resolve Miridae phylogeny, utilizing mitochondrial genomes from 42 species spanning 39 genera across six of the seven currently recognized subfamilies. Four outgroup species from Tingidae (2 species) and Thaumastocoridae (2 species) were also included in the analyses. Our results demonstrate that: (1) Bryocorinae is paraphyletic as the stem groups of Miridae; and (2) the clade ((Deraeocorinae + Mirinae) + (Orthotylinae + Phylinae)) is consistently and strongly supported as a monophyletic group across all datasets and analytical methods. We report newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes based on high-throughput sequencing platforms for four Miridae genera and species: Chlamydatus sp. (Phylinae), Deraeocoris punctulatus (Deraeocorinae), Scirtetellus sp. (Orthotylinae), and Prodromus clypeatus (Bryocorinae). These findings provide a progressive phylogenetic framework with new significance for the future phylogenetic improvement and taxonomic revision of Miridae.

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The last paper from the current issue of the Journal of the International Heteropterists’ Society:

Yasunaga T. & Oh M. S.: "Taxonomic Review of the Japanese Conifer-Inhabiting Plant Bug Genus Pinalitus Kelton, with Description of a New Species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae)"

The Japanese fauna of conifer-inhabiting plant bug genus Pinalitus Kelton is reviewed, with description of Pinalitus reoi new species. This new species, presumed to be most closely related to P. rubeolus (Kulik), was recently found on Pinus parviflora in the mountain zone of Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. A species previously recorded as P. rubeolus from Japan is now considered to be a misidentification of P. rubricatus (Fallén). A revised key to Japanese species is provided.

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