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31 pages, 15340 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrative Description and Redescription of Black Fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) Species in the Simulium (Gomphostilbia) ceylonicum Species-Group from Thailand

by Sorawat Thongsahuan, Kittipat Aupalee, Afham Yakoh, Domechai Kaewnoi, Wanchai Maleewong, Wichai Srisuka, Anchalee Wannasan, Atiporn Saeung and Hiroyuki Takaoka

Insects 2025, 16(10), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101034 - 8 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Utilizing the COI barcoding approach, cryptic diversity has previously been detected within the morphologically recognized Simulium (Gomphostilbia) trangense Jitklang, Kuvangkadilok, Baimai, Takaoka & Adler, 2008 and S. (G.) sheilae Takaoka & Davies, 1995, of the S. (G.) [...] Read more.

Utilizing the COI barcoding approach, cryptic diversity has previously been detected within the morphologically recognized Simulium (Gomphostilbia) trangense Jitklang, Kuvangkadilok, Baimai, Takaoka & Adler, 2008 and S. (G.) sheilae Takaoka & Davies, 1995, of the S. (G.) ceylonicum species-group. Here, an unknown black fly species belonging to the S. ceylonicum species-group from southern Thailand was discovered and described as a new species, S. (G.) sipoense sp. nov. In addition, S. (G.) trangense is herein fully redescribed based on specimens collected from its type locality. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular data, the validity of the newly described S. sipoense sp. nov. and the redescribed S. trangense is confirmed. Comparative morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, inferred from COI sequences, suggest that the new species is conspecific with the species redescribed as S. trangense, using specimens collected from Malaysia, and is morphologically and phylogenetically closely related to S. sheilae, particularly to the specimens from Indonesia. The redescribed S. trangense is genetically highly similar or even identical to the species that was apparently misidentified as S. sheilae from southern and western Thailand, and is morphologically very similar to the new species, from which it is clearly distinguished by the relative length of the female claw tooth, shape of the male ventral plate, and color of the larval body. A detailed information on the morphological characteristics separates the new species, and the redescribed S. trangense from all other known species of the same species-group in Thailand and neighboring countries is provided. Further studies are warranted to clarify the taxonomic status of several cryptic species recognized within the morphologically defined S. trangense and S. sheilae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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39 pages, 24848 KB

Open AccessArticle

Déjà Vu in Merodon Taxonomy (Diptera: Syrphidae): Unveiling Hidden Species Inside Merodon caudatus and M. ottomanus Taxa

by Ante Vujić, Laura Likov, Nataša Kočiš Tubić, Mihajla Djan, Antonio Ricarte, Santos Rojo, Celeste Pérez-Bañón, Jelena Ačanski, Andrijana Andrić, Tamara Tot and Snežana Radenković

Insects 2025, 16(10), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101009 - 28 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Two new species groups within the avidus-nigritarsis lineage of the hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen are here defined and assessed, i.e., the Merodon caudatus and Merodon ottomanus groups. Within the M. caudatus group, two species are recognised:Merodon caudatus Sack and a new species, [...] Read more.

Two new species groups within the avidus-nigritarsis lineage of the hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen are here defined and assessed, i.e., the Merodon caudatus and Merodon ottomanus groups. Within the M. caudatus group, two species are recognised:Merodon caudatus Sack and a new species, Merodon crispotarsus sp. nov. Within the M. ottomanus group, an extensive examination of material from different collections revealed the presence of four new species, Merodon auriolus sp. nov., Merodon paeninsula sp. nov., Merodon projectus sp. nov., and Merodon rostrum sp. nov., apart from Merodon ottomanus Hurkmans. The genetic characterisation of species from the M. ottomanus group was performed through Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses of the 5′ end of mitochondrial COI gene sequences, and the existence of the five above-mentioned independent taxa was supported. In addition, we confirmed the validity of M. auriolus sp. nov., M. paeninsula sp. nov., and M. ottomanus by using an integrative taxonomic approach including wing shape differences. Diagnoses, keys for both species groups, and the species they consist of, as well as distribution maps for all studied species, are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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11 pages, 1999 KB

Open AccessArticle

Description of a New Species of Mountain Midges (Diptera, Deuterophlebiidae) from Xinjiang, China

by Xin Wang, Minghui Gao, Xinyang Li, Rui Han, Jiayang Feng and Wei Guo

Insects 2025, 16(9), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16090965 - 15 Sep 2025

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Abstract

The family Deuterophlebiidae is considered to be the most plesiomorphic Diptera family, with a striking morphology and life history. In this study, we provide detailed descriptions and figures of a new species from Northwestern China: Deuterophlebia shawanensis sp. nov., along with genetic distances [...] Read more.

The family Deuterophlebiidae is considered to be the most plesiomorphic Diptera family, with a striking morphology and life history. In this study, we provide detailed descriptions and figures of a new species from Northwestern China: Deuterophlebia shawanensis sp. nov., along with genetic distances of COI sequences among the eight known Chinese species of Deuterophlebia Edwards, 1922. The genetic distance from others is greater than 0.1. In terms of morphology, the new species could also be distinguished from others by the absence of spines in the mesothorax at the pupal stage and the outward protrusion of the second dorsal view of the mesothorax. As a result, China is currently the country with the highest Deuterophlebia species diversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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26 pages, 6819 KB

Open AccessArticle

Taxonomic Review of the Genus Taxigramma (Diptera, Sarcophagidae, Miltogramminae) from China

by Zijun Liu, Yi Gai, Xiaolan Cheng, Hanqing Li, Yaqian Fan, Krzysztof Szpila, Thomas Pape and Dong Zhang

Insects 2025, 16(9), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16090953 - 11 Sep 2025

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Abstract

The genus Taxigramma from China has been taxonomically reviewed. Taxigramma pluriseta and T. pluton are new to the fauna sinica, while T. karakulensis is removed. The male of T. albina is firstly recorded and described from China. An updated checklist of all eight [...] Read more.

The genus Taxigramma from China has been taxonomically reviewed. Taxigramma pluriseta and T. pluton are new to the fauna sinica, while T. karakulensis is removed. The male of T. albina is firstly recorded and described from China. An updated checklist of all eight species of Taxigramma known from China is presented with newly supplemented specimen examinations, biological observations and distributional information. A taxonomic key to the Chinese species of Taxigramma is also provided. COI sequences of T. albina, T. pluriseta and T. pluton are newly obtained, with a concise analysis of their genetic divergence among species of Taxigramma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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12 pages, 4004 KB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological Study of First Instar Elephant Stomach Bot Fly Larvae (Oestridae: Gasterophilinae: Cobboldia elephantis)

by Xingkun Yang, Zhuowei An, Chaoyong Xiong, Shenming Tan, Mingwei Bao, Fangyi Zhou, Meiqin Liu, Liping Yan, Dong Zhang and Thomas Pape

Insects 2025, 16(7), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070733 - 18 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Cobboldia elephantis (Oestridae: Gasterophilinae) is an obligate parasite of the alimentary tract of the Asian elephant, causing gastric myiasis. Current knowledge of its first instar larval morphology has been limited to observations under light microscopy, significantly constraining our understanding of morphological evolution within [...] Read more.

Cobboldia elephantis (Oestridae: Gasterophilinae) is an obligate parasite of the alimentary tract of the Asian elephant, causing gastric myiasis. Current knowledge of its first instar larval morphology has been limited to observations under light microscopy, significantly constraining our understanding of morphological evolution within the genus Cobboldia and the broader subfamily Gasterophilinae. In this study, we provided ultrastructural and three-dimensional characterizations of C. elephantis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) based on newly hatched first instar larvae. Features of the first instar larva of C. elephantis, which are either unique or shared with C. loxodontis Brauer, 1896, include (i) three pairs of mouthhooks, (ii) posterior spiracles bearing peristigmatic tufts, (iii) anal division with two spine-clusters and a row of elongated spines, and (iv) a planed, button-like sensilla and a sensillum placodeum. We also compared the first instar larval morphology of C. elephantis with that of Cobboldia loxodontis, Gyrostigma rhinocerontis (Owen, 1830), Gasterophilus pecorum (Fabricius, 1794), Portschinskia magnifica Pleske, 1926, and Oestrus ovis Linnaeus, 1758. Species of Gasterophilinae share several unique features of the first instar larva, including (i) an anal division composed of three subdivisions, (ii) spiracular slits on the posterior spiracles, and (iii) conserved positioning of thoracic sensilla. These findings fill a key gap in our knowledge of C. elephantis larval morphology and suggest that these distinctive structures play a role in adaptation to its parasitic lifestyle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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13 pages, 8394 KB

Open AccessArticle

Report of a New Sand Fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Species, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) pradeepii n. sp. from Madhya Pradesh, India

by Harish Kumar Shah, Pananchikkaparambil Abdu Fathima, Manju Rahi and Prasanta Saini

Insects 2025, 16(6), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060598 - 6 Jun 2025

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Abstract

Madhya Pradesh, a biodiversity-rich state in central India, reports sporadic non-indigenous leishmaniasis cases. Systematic entomological surveillance as part of molecular xenomonitoring in sand flies led to the discovery of a new species, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) pradeepii n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae), from Johariya village [...] Read more.

Madhya Pradesh, a biodiversity-rich state in central India, reports sporadic non-indigenous leishmaniasis cases. Systematic entomological surveillance as part of molecular xenomonitoring in sand flies led to the discovery of a new species, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) pradeepii n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae), from Johariya village in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, India. A systematic cross-sectional survey of sand flies was conducted in Bhopal, Sagar, and Hoshangabad districts of Madhya Pradesh. Standard collection methods were employed for two months, i.e., from July to August 2023. DNA barcoding targeting the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was performed, and the generated sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Se. (Neo.) pradeepii, a newly recorded sand fly species, is reported in this study. Its taxonomic relationship to other congeners of subgenus Neophlebotomus is discussed. COI barcoding and phylogenetic analysis established that the specimens fit into the same taxonomic group, exhibiting negligible gene flow within the population, while a 13.4% genetic distance from congeners establishes it as a separate species. Madhya Pradesh, with its rich biodiversity and favorable conditions for sand fly proliferation, lacks systematic entomological surveillance. This study enhances the knowledge of the state’s sand fly fauna by reporting and providing a detailed morphological and molecular description of the new species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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21 pages, 12416 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rare Chromosomal Uniformity in Black Flies of the Simulium striatum Species Group (Diptera: Simuliidae)

by Peter H. Adler, Sergey Vlasov, Yao-Te Huang, Upik K. Hadi, Khamla Inkhavilay, Banchai Malavong, Varvara Topolenko, Bhuvadol Gomontean, Waraporn Jumpato, Ronnalit Mintara, San Namtaku, Isara Thanee, Wannachai Wannasingha, Komgrit Wongpakam, Chavanut Jaroenchaiwattanachote and Pairot Pramual

Insects 2025, 16(5), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050511 - 10 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1382

Abstract

We conducted a comparative chromosomal analysis of 10 nominal species and 3 unidentified species in the Simulium striatum group from six countries. A total of 66 chromosomal rearrangements were found, of which 78.8% were inversions. The group is defined by 11 fixed inversions, [...] Read more.

We conducted a comparative chromosomal analysis of 10 nominal species and 3 unidentified species in the Simulium striatum group from six countries. A total of 66 chromosomal rearrangements were found, of which 78.8% were inversions. The group is defined by 11 fixed inversions, of which 6 are unique, supporting the monophyletic status previously indicated by morphological and molecular characters. Only 1 of the 13 taxa had a unique fixed chromosomal rearrangement. Although the group demonstrates significant macrogenomic reorganization, subsequent speciation occurred largely without chromosomal rearrangement. The results conflict with the pattern seen in all other species groups of Simuliidae, in which one or more diagnostic rearrangements are typically expressed among species in the same group. The chromosomes provide limited evidence that four entities are valid species but no evidence for the nine others. The weight of evidence from combined chromosomal, molecular, and morphological data, in addition to the practical considerations made for insular species, supports the species status of seven of these nominal species; the remaining taxa require further study. The S. striatum group, accordingly, is either over-divided into nominal species or deficient in chromosomal discriminators. If most or all nominal species and unnamed species are valid, all but one are homosequential, an unprecedented condition in Simuliidae. This group illustrates the need for the integration of multiple character sets for discovering and delimiting species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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24 pages, 7113 KB

Open AccessArticle

Species Richness and Distribution of Calliphoridae Along an Elevation Gradient in Sicily (Italy) and Ecuador

by M. Denise Gemmellaro, Gail S. Anderson, George C. Hamilton, Mariela Domínguez-Trujillo and Lauren M. Weidner

Insects 2025, 16(5), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050498 - 6 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2252 | Correction

Abstract

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the first insects to arrive on a corpse, and so they are particularly important in forensic entomology. To use blow flies in forensic investigations, there must be information available on their species diversity, abundance, and distribution in [...] Read more.

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the first insects to arrive on a corpse, and so they are particularly important in forensic entomology. To use blow flies in forensic investigations, there must be information available on their species diversity, abundance, and distribution in the areas where investigations are conducted. Several factors can contribute to species distribution, and elevation is one of those factors. The purpose of this study was to document the distribution of Calliphoridae across four elevational gradients in Sicily and Ecuador, where little information is available. Baited traps were placed at elevations ranging from 20 m to 1552 m in Sicily (a major island and region of Italy and a distinct ecoregion) and 561 m to 3336 m in Ecuador. Species richness, relative abundance, and diversity were calculated, as well as the ratio of female to male blow flies and community assemblage. Twelve species were collected in Sicily, and seventeen species were collected in Ecuador. In Sicily, the most abundant species was Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (68.50% of the total capture), while in Ecuador, it was Compsomyiops verena (Walker) (51.67% of the total capture). In Sicily, significant differences were only observed in the relative abundance of L. sericata across elevations. In Ecuador, significant differences were observed in the relative abundance of Calliphora nigribasis (Macquart), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), C. verena, Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani), Lucilia ibis (Shannon), L. purpurascens (Walker), and Paralucilia sp. across elevations. These data can help build a checklist of blow fly species in these two regions and can be instrumental in environmental and forensic investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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2 pages, 123 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Gemmellaro et al. Species Richness and Distribution of Calliphoridae Along an Elevation Gradient in Sicily (Italy) and Ecuador. Insects 2025, 16, 498

by M. Denise Gemmellaro, Gail S. Anderson, George C. Hamilton, Mariela Domínguez-Trujillo and Lauren M. Weidner

Insects 2025, 16(7), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070681 - 30 Jun 2025

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Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera Diversity: Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

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