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Background: Adult sciarid flies are small to medium-sized, delicate insects, typically black in colour and belonging to the superfamily Sciaroidea within the order Diptera. They exhibit a uniform appearance. Distinguishing them from other families of Sciaroidea is primarily achieved through their typical wing venation. Sciaridae are common in both natural and semi-natural ecosystems, where they play a significant role in decomposition during their larval stage. Prior to the current study, only one specific research project had been conducted on Sciaridae in Estonia. The number of sciarid species identified in Estonia was set at 67. New information: This research, conducted in north-eastern Estonia during 2015 and 2016, presents a comprehensive overview of Sciaridae diversity, shedding light on previously understudied aspects of Estonia's biodiversity. A total of 1038 specimens were identified, representing 91 species, amongst which 64 were previously unknown to Estonia. Notably, Corynopterawinnertzi (Mohrig, 1993) emerged as the most abundant species, followed by Corynopterairmgardis (Lengersdorf, 1930), Corynopteracrassistylata (Frey, 1948) and Bradysiatrivittata (Staeger, 1840). The genus Corynoptera Winnertz, 1867 exhibited the highest diversity, consistent with findings from broader European studies. This study underscores the importance of ongoing surveys for better understanding the distribution and composition of Sciaridae species in Estonia, emphasising the need for further research to delve into the intricate ecology and biology of these insects.

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Fifteen new Zygomyia Winnertz species are described from material collected from one location in Ecuador during a very short time period: Z. acrotricha sp. nov., Z. comata sp. nov., Z. diversiseta sp. nov., Z. flamma sp. nov., Z. geniculata sp. nov., Z. longistyla sp. nov., Z. napoensis sp. nov., Z. paniculata sp. nov., Z. pectinella sp. nov., Z. spinosa sp. nov., Z. talpaeforma sp. nov., Z. trilobata sp. nov., Z. triseta sp. nov., Z. uniordata sp. nov. and Z. ximoi sp. nov. Zygomyia bicolor Edwards, 1934 is redescribed, including detailed illustration of the male terminalia. The number of Neotropical Zygomyia species is increased to 30. An updated key to the Neotropical Zygomyia is provided. Unexpectedly high level of interspecific genetic variation between Neotropical Zygomyia spp. is reported.

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Background: The small genus Coelophthinia Edwards, 1941 of the subfamily Gnoristinae (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) is so far known to harbour four species from the Palaearctic, Nearctic and Neotropical Regions. Extensive DNA barcoding of fungus gnats of the family Mycetophilidae through the International Barcode of Life project (iBOL) have initiated integrative studies resulting in taxonomic upgrades and a better understanding of many species and their delimitation. The opportunity was also taken to describe the mitogenome of a member of Coelophthinia for the first time. New information: The integrative studies give evidence for splitting the European species C.thoracica Edwards, 1941 into three different species. Four new species are described from the USA, Japan and the Nordic Region in Europe, Coelophthiniacirra Kerr sp. n., Coelophthiniaitoae Kurina sp. n., Coelophthinialata Kjaerandsen sp. n. and Coelophthinialoraasi Kjaerandsen sp. n., raising the number of Holarctic species from two to six. The mitogenome of Coelophthinialoraasi sp. n. is described and analysed.

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Female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) affect their hosts in numerous negative ways and are crucial to the spread of vector-borne pathogens. It is, therefore, important to have a detailed overview of regional mosquitoes, to be able to detect changes in species diversity and identify possible health threats. The aim of this study was to update the checklist of the mosquito fauna of Estonia for the first time since 1957. For this purpose, 24,344 adult mosquitoes (94% females) were collected in Estonia from 2008 to 2020 using various trapping methods. Specimens were primarily identified by morphological characteristics, but DNA barcoding based on the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) was also used. Species were included in the checklist based on historical records as well as new collections, while also considering reports from neighboring countries. Species records are supplemented with voucher specimens, distribution maps and DNA evidence. The updated checklist includes 34 species, 27 of which were confirmed with recently collected material. All in all, Aedes communis (de Geer, 1776) proved to be the most common mosquito in Estonia, accounting for 30.1% of the specimens collected. This is noteworthy, as this species has been implicated in the transmission of multiple disease agents present in the area. New evidence revealed the presence of Ae. hexodontus Dyar, 1916, Ae. sticticus (Meigen, 1838), Anopheles messeae Falleroni, 1926 and Culiseta bergrothi (Edwards, 1921) in Estonia.

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Background: This paper focuses on the morphological description and illustration of the wing pattern and genitalia structures of the known species of the genus Pljushtchia. The possibility of co-evolution of Pljushtchia moths and fruit tree forests of Tien Shan is discussed. The maple tree is supposed to have evolved in the Ili River valley in NW China and in Kazakhstan. Malussieversii, the wild apple tree, is distributed in Miocene nemoral forest belt to Europe in the West an to western North America in the East. The last remnants of fruit tree forests are now localised in biodiversity hotspots in China and in Middle Asian mountains. New information: This paper provides a description of a new species of geometrid moth, Pljushtchiaargoi sp. n. As the ancestral Malussieversii has diverged in Malussilvestris in Europe, Malusturkestanica in Kyrgyzstan and Malushissarica in Tajikistan, a co-divergence of geometrid moths and their food plants is possible. We found Chlorissaarkitensis Viidalepp in the Chatkal area, Tien Shan, its sister species Chlorissatalvei Viidalepp in Hissar and Pamirs and Chlorissapretiosaria Staudinger in Transcaucasus. Pljushtchiaprima is associated with a biodiversity hotspot in Tajikistan and Pljushtchiaargoi with another biodiversity hotspot in southern Tien Shan.

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A new species-Docosia caucasica sp. n.-has been described from material collected from the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in Georgia (Sakartvelo). The new species belongs to a group of Palaearctic species characterized by distinct posterolateral processes of gonocoxites and apically modified setae at the posteroventral margin of the gonocoxites medially. Within the group, D. caucasica sp. n. is most similar to D. landrocki Lastovka and Sevcík, 2006 in having a similar outline of the medial process of posteroventral margin of the gonocoxites and the gonostylus. There is also a marked difference within the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) sequence of D. caucasica sp. n. and other Docosia spp. available in public databases. As the new species is described from a single male specimen only, the adequacy and code compliance of that are discussed.

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An overview of the Estonian terrestrial isopod fauna is given, based on literature data and material collected from 1984 to 2021. The identified material consisted of 10915 specimens belonging to 14 species and collected from 172 localities throughout Estonia. In combination with previous data from the literature data, there are now reliable records of 16 species of woodlice from Estonia. Two species, viz. Platyarthrushoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833 and Hyloniscusriparius (C. Koch, 1838), are new for the fauna. The latter has probably colonised Estonia recently and range expansions have been reported elsewhere. The data on Philosciamuscorum (Scopoli, 1763) are dubious, and this species is currently excluded from the Estonian list.

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We present a summary and analysis of the Diptera-related information published in Zootaxa from 2001 to 2020, with a focus on taxonomic papers. Altogether, 2,527 papers on Diptera were published, including 2,032 taxonomic papers and 1,931 papers containing new nomenclatural acts, equivalent to 22% of all publications with new nomenclatural acts for Diptera. The new nomenclatural acts include 7,431 new species, 277 new genera, 2,003 new synonymies, and 1,617 new combinations. A breakdown by family of new taxa and new replacement names proposed in the journal during the last two decades is provided, together with a comparison of Zootaxa's output to that of all other taxonomic publications on Diptera. Our results show that the journal has contributed to 20% of all biodiversity discovery in this megadiverse insect order over the last 20 years, and to about 31% in the last decade.

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The fungus gnats of Georgia are studied based on 2682 specimens collected from 57 localities during 2011-2019. Altogether, 245 species are recorded including four species of Bolitophilidae, three species of Diadocidiidae, two species of Ditomyiidae, 34 species of Keroplatidae and 202 species of Mycetophilidae. 230 and 188 species are recorded from Georgia and the whole of Transcaucasia for the first time, respectively. Three new species - Sciophila georgei sp. nov., Leia katae sp. nov. and Anatella metae sp. nov. - are described including detailed illustrations of the male terminalia. Photographs are provided for an additional 38 species to highlight a variability of their general facies. Combined with earlier published data, the number of fungus gnat species in Georgia is set at 246. The estimated diversity of fungus gnats in Georgia is calculated using non-parametric methods and discussed with respect to other Western Palaearctic regions.

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Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are universally recognized as troublesome pests and vectors of various pathogens and parasites. Understandably, the species makeup and diversity of individual populations depends on local and broad scale environmental trends, especially on temperature and hydrological variations. Anthropogenic landscapes make for unique habitats, but their effect on insects likely varies across climatic regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity and seasonal patterns of urban mosquitoes in the boreal region. Specimens were collected with an insect net from May to September during three years and determined to species or species group level. Weather information was added to each data point and results analyzed using multivariate regression models. Fieldwork yielded 1890 mosquitoes from four genera. Both abundance and the effective number of species (ENS) significantly decreased during the study period. The number of collected mosquitoes had a negative correlation with wind speed and temperature, latter of which exhibited a negative association with humidity. Species succession followed predictable patterns, but with some variation between years. Still, Culex pipiens/Culex torrentium were the most abundant throughout the study. Importantly, all dominant species were known disease vectors. Our work showed that higher temperatures could result in fewer mosquitoes in boreal towns.

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The Neotropical species of the genus Manota Williston are studied, based on material of 146 specimens from French Guiana, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Dominica and the Dominican Republic. Four new species are described, viz. M. corniculata sp. n. (French Guiana), M. pseudocavata sp. n. (French Guiana), M. truuverki sp. n. (French Guiana) and M. vladi sp. n. (Dominican Republic). Manota defecta Williston, 1896, the type species of the genus, is listed from Dominica, representing the first record since its description more than a century ago from a Southern Caribbean Island, St. Vincent. New records of 13 additional species are provided: M. acutistylus Jaschhof Hippa, 2005 (Dominica), M. aligera Hippa, Kurina Sääksjärvi, 2017 (French Guiana), M. digitata Hippa, Kurina Sääksjärvi, 2017 (French Guiana), M. iota Hippa Kurina, 2013 (French Guiana), M. micula Hippa Kurina, 2013 (French Guiana), M. nordestina Kurina, Hippa Amorim, 2018 (French Guiana), M. parva Jaschhof Hippa, 2005 (Nicaragua), M. pauloides Hippa, Kurina Sääksjärvi, 2017 (Ecuador), M. perplexa Kurina, Hippa Amorim, 2017 (Nicaragua), M. rotundistylus Jaschhof Hippa, 2005 (Ecuador), M. serrulata Hippa, Kurina Sääksjärvi, 2017 (French Guiana), M. spinosa Jaschhof Hippa, 2005 (French Guiana), M. subaristata Kurina, Hippa Amorim, 2017 (Ecuador). The number of Neotropical Manota species has risen to 96.

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BACKGROUND: Previously, two species of Zygentoma have been reported as synanthropic in Estonia (Lepisma saccharinum Linnaeus, 1758 and Thermobia domestica (Packard, 1873)). Ctenolepisma longicaudatum Escherich, 1905 is an invasive species that is currently expanding its range in Europe, but had no published records from the northern Baltic Region. NEW INFORMATION: Ctenolepisma longicaudatum was first found in Estonia in 2018. It has currently several established populations in public buildings in Tartu and Tallinn, but has not been found in private households, nor in other places in Estonia. A brief overview of its invasion history in northern Europe is given.

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Mycophagous gall midges from two Malaise trapping campaigns in Estonia were subjected to a morpho-taxonomic study, with the aim of identifying previously unrecorded species. Fifty-four species are shown for the first time to occur in Estonia, specifically 1 Lestremiinae, 21 Micromyinae, 5 Winnertziinae, and 27 Porricondylinae. This raises the number of mycophagous cecidomyiids known from Estonia to 152, which is about one fourth of the total estimated for the national fauna. One of the Porricondylinae turned out to be new to science and is described as Unicornella estonensis Jaschhof Sikora. Unicornella, a new genus of the tribe Porricondylini, is characterized by that males have a single gonocoxal process, as opposed to two or no processes found in other Porricondylini.

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Three new Clastobasis Skuse species are described: C. ainuorum sp. n. (Kuril Islands, Iturup), C. kanabo sp. n. (Japan, Honshu) and C. menguali sp. n. (Japan, Honshu). The new species are figured, photographed and their systematics discussed. New records are provided for C. loici Chandler and C. subalternans Zaitzev, both from Japan (Honshu). The number of Palaearctic Clastobasis species is set up at eight including six of them restricted only to the Eastern Palaearctic. Clastobasis loici, previously known only from Europe, is described to have a Trans-Palaearctic distribution. A key to the Palearctic species of Clastobasis is provided and the distribution shortly discussed.

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The Ochlerotatus (Oc.) communis complex consist of three Northern American species as well as a common Holarctic mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Oc. communis (De Geer, 1776). These sister species exhibit important ecological differences and are capable of transmitting various pathogens, but cannot always be differentiated by morphological traits. To investigate the Oc. communis complex in Europe, we compared three molecular markers (COI, ND5 and ITS2) from 54 Estonian mosquitoes as well as two COI marker sequences from Sweden. These sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis and screened for Wolbachia Hertig and Wolbach symbionts. Within and between groups, distances were calculated for each marker to better understand the relationships among individuals. Results demonstrate that a group of samples, extracted from adult female mosquitoes matching the morphology of Oc. communis, show a marked difference from the main species when comparing the mitochondrial markers COI and ND5. However, there is no variance between the same specimens when considering the nuclear ITS2. We conclude that Oc. communis encompasses two distinct mitochondrial DNA lineages in the Nordic-Baltic region. Further research is needed to investigate the origin and extent of these genetic differences.

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We provide the first molecular phylogeny of Keroplatidae and Lygistorrhinidae, families of fungus gnats (Diptera: Bibionomorpha: Sciaroidea). Phylogenies reconstructed by Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods, based on four nuclear and four mitochondrial gene markers (5106 base pairs) sequenced for 75 genera and 105 species, show Keroplatidae as monophyletic only with the family Lygistorrhinidae included, herewith treated as the subfamily Lygistorrhininae stat. nov. The subfamily Arachnocampinae is retained in the family, although lowering its overall support. An early branching clade, comprising species of Platyura Meigen, 1803 and Paleoplatyura melanderi Fisher, 1941, forms subfamily Platyurinae Loew, 1850 stat. nov. The subfamilies Sciarokeroplatinae and Macrocerinae grouped together with three genera considered here as Keroplatidae incertae sedis. Subfamily Lygistorrhininae forms a sister clade to subfamily Keroplatinae, both retained monophyletic with high support. The traditional division of the subfamily Keroplatinae into the tribes Orfeliini and Keroplatini appears as outdated, resting largely on adaptive characters prone to parallel evolution. We find support for an alternative tribe corresponding to the Cloeophoromyia-Asindulum genus group, but a tribal reclassification of the Keroplatinae is left for future studies. The genus Heteropterna Skuse, 1888 is considered as identical with Ctenoceridion Matile, 1972 syn. nov.

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A comprehensive material of Afrotropical Sciophila including 262 male specimens of 15 species collected from 7 countries are studied. Two new species-S. geiri sp. n. and S. tchabalensis sp. n.-are described from Madagascar and Cameroon, respectively. New records of the following 13 species are presented: S. digitilenta Søli, 1997 (Uganda), S. fenestralis Søli, 1997 (South Africa), S. kakumensis Søli, 1997 (Cameroon, Uganda), S. kjaerandseni Søli, 1997 (Uganda), S. koundensis Søli, 1997 (Uganda), S. leptosoma Søli, 1997 (Democratic Republic of Congo), S. longistyla Søli, 1997 (South Africa), S. mazumbaiensis Søli, 1997 (Uganda), S. ocreata Philippi, 1865 (France: La Réunion), S. papula Søli, 1997 (Democratic Republic of Congo), S. pinniger Søli, 1997 (South Africa, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya), S. quadra Søli, 1997 (Democratic Republic of Congo), S. stellata Søli, 1997 (Uganda). The majority of the new records represent the first ones since initial description of the species. S. ocreata is considered to be introduced to the Island of La Réunion. The number of Afrotropical Sciophila species is set at 23.

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BACKGROUND: The genus Neocheiridium Beier, 1932 currently contains seven Neotropical (including Caribbean) and two Afrotropical species, with no Nearctic records. NEW INFORMATION: An undescribed species of Neocheiridium from South Carolina was discovered in the Ohio State University Acarology Collection and is described as Neocheiridium gullahorum, n. sp. (based on specimens of both sexes). A key to known world species of Neocheiridium is proposed.

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In light of the African swine fever outbreaks in Estonian pig farms during the past few years, the question of the vector potential of Diptera in the pig farm environment has risen. However, the arthropod fauna of the pig farm environment is currently not well established. Hence, the aim of this study was to clarify the species diversity in pig farms. In total, 22 Diptera species or species groups were found in Estonian pig farms. There were altogether 186,701 individual arthropods collected, from which 96.6% (180,444) belonged to the order of true flies (Insecta: Diptera). The remaining 3.4% were from other insect orders, arachnids, or just damaged and unidentifiable specimens. The activity density and diversity of dipterans differed significantly between 12 sampled farms but not throughout the sampling period. The present study is amongst the few to provide a large-scale overview of pig-farm-associated Diptera in the temperate climate zone.

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BACKGROUND: Deer keds are obligatory haematophagous parasites of large homeothermic animals, particularly cervids. Two of the five known species occurring in Europe-Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus) and L. fortisetosa Maa-are known to have a relatively wide distribution. Lipoptena fortisetosa is considered to have been introduced into Europe with sika deer from the Eastern Palaearctic and is continuously expanding its range. Little is known about the medical importance of deer keds, but they can cause hair loss in cervids and are suspected to be vectors of several diseases. NEW INFORMATION: Details of the distribution of Lipoptena fortisetosa in Europe, including its northernmost record, are provided. This species has been shown to have a viable population in Southern Estonia. Furthermore, the differences from allied L. cervi are discussed, based on morphological and molecular characters.