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A phylogeny of Cyrtophyllitinae Zeuner, 1935 sensu Gorochov, Jarzembowski & Coram, 2006, based on wing morphology, is presented including all genera. Cyrtophillitinae is found to be paraphyletic. Except for Cyrtophyllites rogeri Oppenheim, 1888, all other species were moved from the subfamily Cyrtophyllitinae (Hagloidea, Haglidae). Consequently, a new subfamily Archaboilinae subfam. nov. was erected and accommodates most of the previous cyrtophillitine taxa, except Cyrtophyllites rogeri. The type genus Archaboilus Martynov, 1937 of the new subfamily was designated; a new genus, Pararchaboilus gen. nov., was erected with the designation of type species Pararchaboilus cretaceus comb. nov. From the Middle Jurassic deposits of China, two new species, Archaboilus ornatus sp. nov. and Vitimoilus gigantus sp. nov., are described.

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Permopsocids are small acercarian insects with mouthparts specialized for sucking. They are closely related to Hemiptera and Thysanoptera. The earliest known representatives are from the Early Permian. Here evidence is presented that the Permopsocida occurred even earlier in Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) deposits in the Piesberg quarry near Osnabrück (Lower Saxony, Germany). This material is assigned to the Permian family Psocidiidae; Carbonopsocus mercuryi gen. et sp. nov., based on the wing venation diagnosed by the unique branching pattern of the main veins, the shape of the areola postica being longer than wide, the angular shape of the pterostigma, the ir crossvein directed proximally mid of pterostigma (apomorphy) and the vannus formed by the three veins of PCu, A1 and A2. The shape of the veins, with a Y-vein formed by the distal fusion of PCu with A1, could be a putative symplesiomorphy of the Psocodea with Permopsocida and Hemiptera. C. mercuryi gen. et sp. nov. is the first appearance date for Permopsocida and roots the Acercaria tree. In addition, another specimen of Dichentomum cf. arroyo (Psocidiidae) from Carrizo Arroyo is presented and figured, confirming the presence of the genus Dichentomum near the Carboniferous-Permian boundary and linking it to the Artinskian species from Elmo in Kansas, USA.

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A new praeaulacid genus and species, Azygdellitha nova gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on a male specimen from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber from Hukawng Valley, Myanmar. This newly discovered taxon increased the diversity of praeaulacid wasps during the Cretaceous period. While this new taxon shares similarities of wing venation with most species of the subfamily Praeaulacinae, it strongly differs from that of three genera previously described from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber: Mesevania, Paleosyncrasis, and Praegastrinus. We explore the possibility that these genera constitute a distinct tribe within the Praeaulacinae, distinguished by their wing venation. We provide illustrations and emphasize the potentially diagnostic traits supporting this classification.

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Background: The temporal dynamics of morphogen presentation impacts transcriptional responses and tissue patterning. However, the mechanisms controlling morphogen release are far from clear. We found that inwardly rectifying potassium (Irk) channels regulate endogenous transient increases in intracellular calcium and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP/Dpp) release for Drosophila wing development. Inhibition of Irk channels reduces BMP/Dpp signaling, and ultimately disrupts wing morphology. Ion channels impact development of several tissues and organisms in which BMP signaling is essential. In neurons and pancreatic beta cells, Irk channels modulate membrane potential to affect intracellular Ca++ to control secretion of neurotransmitters and insulin. Based on Irk activity in neurons, we hypothesized that electrical activity controls endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca++ release into the cytoplasm to regulate the release of BMP. Materials and Methods: To test this hypothesis, we reduced expression of four proteins that control ER calcium, Stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim), Calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai), SarcoEndoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA), small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (SK), and Bestrophin 2 (Best2) using RNAi and documented wing phenotypes. We use live imaging to study calcium and Dpp release within pupal wings and larval wing discs. Additionally, we employed immunohistochemistry to characterize Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) phosphorylation downstream of the BMP/Dpp pathway following RNAi knockdown. Results: We found that reduced Stim and SERCA function decreases amplitude and frequency of endogenous calcium transients in the wing disc and reduced BMP/Dpp release. Conclusion: Our results suggest control of ER calcium homeostasis is required for BMP/Dpp release, and Drosophila wing development.

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In medical, veterinary and forensic entomology, the ease and affordability of image data acquisition have resulted in whole-image analysis becoming an invaluable approach for species identification. Krawtchouk moment invariants are a classical mathematical transformation that can extract local features from an image, thus allowing subtle species-specific biological variations to be accentuated for subsequent analyses. We extracted Krawtchouk moment invariant features from binarised wing images of 759 male fly specimens from the Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae families (13 species and a species variant). Subsequently, we trained the Generalized, Unbiased, Interaction Detection and Estimation random forests classifier using linear discriminants derived from these features and inferred the species identity of specimens from the test samples. Fivefold cross-validation results show a 98.56 ± 0.38% (standard error) mean identification accuracy at the family level and a 91.04 ± 1.33% mean identification accuracy at the species level. The mean F1-score of 0.89 ± 0.02 reflects good balance of precision and recall properties of the model. The present study consolidates findings from previous small pilot studies of the usefulness of wing venation patterns for inferring species identities. Thus, the stage is set for the development of a mature data analytic ecosystem for routine computer image-based identification of fly species that are of medical, veterinary and forensic importance.

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The male adult of Molannatruncata Ge, Peng & Sun sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on material collected in Si-chuan, China. It could be diagnosed by the subtriangular superior appendages when viewed dorsally, and by the mesal appendages each having a slender thorn and inferior appendages with a tiny inner process. Based on morphology of genitalia, we provide a dichotomous key to adult males of Molanna from the Oriental region. The DNA barcodes (partial mtCOI sequences) of M.truncata sp. nov. are generated and compared with existing sequences of Molanna species from Oriental and Palearctic regions. The mean intraspecific divergence of Molanna was 1.58% with a maximum of 8.50% in M.moesta. The Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) analysis of Molanna inferred 9 OTUs and thresholds of interspecific divergence of 10%. Divergence of M.truncata sp. nov. haplotypes from all other Molanna haplotypes ranged from 10.1% to 18%. We discuss distribution and potential groups of species within the Oriental Molanna species based on morphology.

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Braconid parasitoid wasps are a widely diversified group today, while their fossil record from the Mesozoic is currently poorly known. Here, we describe Utrillabraconelectropteron Álvarez-Parra & Engel, gen. et sp. nov., from the upper Albian (Lower Cretaceous) amber of San Just in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. The holotype specimen is incomplete, although the forewing and hind wing venation are well preserved. The new taxon is assigned to the subfamily †Protorhyssalinae (Braconidae) and, based on characteristics of the wing venation, seems to be closely related to Protorhyssalusgoldmani Basibuyuk & Quicke, 1999 and Diorhyssalusallani (Brues, 1937), both from Upper Cretaceous ambers of North America. We discuss the taxonomy of the Cretaceous braconids, considering †Seneciobraconinae as a valid subfamily. We also comment on possible relationships within †Protorhyssalinae, although a phylogenetic analysis is necessary. Additionally, a checklist is included of braconids known from Cretaceous ambers.

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Probably the most common rock-imprint fossil-insect remain is an incomplete isolated wing. This pitfall has been traditionally addressed by manually reconstructing missing parts, which is not ideal to comprehend long-term evolutionary trends in the group, in particular for morphological diversity (i.e., disparity) approaches. Herein we describe a new Triassic relative of dragon- and damselflies (Odonata), Moltenophlebia lindae gen. et sp. nov., from the Molteno Formation (Karoo Basin, South Africa), on the basis of three incomplete, isolated wings. In order to provide a reconstruction of the complete wing venation of the species, we formalized and applied a repeatable method aiming at inferring the missing parts of a given specimen. It is based on homologous veins automatically identified thanks to a standardized color-coding. The dedicated script can be applied broadly to the fossil record of insect wings. The species is identified as a member of the Zygophlebiida, within the Triadophlebiomorpha. This discovery, therefore, represents the first ascertained occurrence of the latter group in Gondwana, an area where the fossil record of Odonata is depauperate.

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Nine new species of katydids of the Anaulacomerina subtribe (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae: Phaneropterini) are herein described, being eight of the genus Anaulacomera Stål and one of Separatula Gorochov. The following species are described as new: A. (Anallomes) sylviae sp. n., A. (Anaulacomera.) caudata sp. n., A. (Anaul.) rubrovittata sp. n., A. (Anaul.) zefai sp. n., A. (Oecella) marshae sp. n., A. (O.) mediastina sp. n., A. (O.) spirala sp. n., A. (O.) zebrina sp. n. and S. araguaiensis sp. n. External morphological characters as tegmina venation, cerci and subgenital plate; and internal morphological characters as male genitalia are included in the descriptions.

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Cell fate is determined by the coordinated activity of different pathways, including the conserved Notch pathway. Activation of Notch results in the transcription of Notch targets that are otherwise silenced by repressor complexes. In Drosophila, the repressor complex comprises the transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless (Su(H)) bound to the Notch antagonist Hairless (H) and the general co-repressors Groucho (Gro) and C-terminal binding protein (CtBP). The latter two are shared by different repressors from numerous pathways, raising the possibility that they are rate-limiting. We noted that the overexpression during wing development of H mutants HdNT and HLD compromised in Su(H)-binding induced ectopic veins. On the basis of the role of H as Notch antagonist, overexpression of Su(H)-binding defective H isoforms should be without consequence, implying different mechanisms but repression of Notch signaling activity. Perhaps excess H protein curbs general co-repressor availability. Supporting this model, nearly normal wings developed upon overexpression of H mutant isoforms that bound neither Su(H) nor co-repressor Gro and CtBP. Excessive H protein appeared to sequester general co-repressors, resulting in specific vein defects, indicating their limited availability during wing vein development. In conclusion, interpretation of overexpression phenotypes requires careful consideration of possible dominant negative effects from interception of limiting factors.

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A new fossil genus and species is described from the Middle Jurassic of China. The type of Sinoelcana minuta gen. et sp. nov. has body and legs preserved. It is distinguished from all other elcanids by the unique combination of wing venation and stout ovipositor. The sickle-shaped ovipositor suggests that the new species had a preference for oviposition on plant material. A world key to the genera of Elcanidae is provided based on the wing venation.

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The discovery of the first damselfly Lestes regina Théobald, 1937 from Monteils (Gard, France) supports the identity of late Eocene age of this outcrop with the historical outcrop of Célas, type locality for the type series of this species. Lestes regina is also documented from the late Eocene Isle of Wight basin, confirming the presence of significant contacts between this southern area and the anglo-Parisian lacustrine basin at that time. Nearly all the Eocene and Oligocene fossil Lestes from Western Europe have a particular character, viz. the presence of a supplementary row of cells between the veins MP and CuA. This character is much less frequent in extant Lestes and is still unknown among Neogene representatives of the genus.

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Megasecoptera is a late Paleozoic order of herbivorous insects with rostrum-like mouthparts and slender homonomous outstretched wings. Our knowledge of their morphology is mainly based on wings while other body parts are scarcely documented. Here we focus on the families Bardohymenidae and Aspidothoracidae. A new well preserved specimen of Sylvohymen cf. sibiricus is described and illustrated, particularly the structures of the external male genitalia previously unknown for Bardohymenidae. Sylvohymen marginatussp. nov. is described from the early Permian of Tshekarda based on unique traits in the wing venation. The genera Paleohymen and Taigahymen are both removed from Bardohymenidae and the latter is transferred to Vorkutiidae. Alexahymen aestatis (Brauckmann, 1991) comb. nov. from Pennsylvanian at Piesberg is transferred from Aspidothoracidae to Bardohymenidae. Piesbergbrodiagen. nov. is designated for Piesbergbrodia tristrata (Brauckmann and Herd, 2003) comb. nov. as a member of Brodiidae and the first known record of this family from Piesberg quarry. The placement of Sylvohymen peckae in the Bardohymenidae is considered doubtful due to lack of significant characters in its venation. Furthermore, our study is focused on the form of the apical cell and the pattern of wing pigmentation. Peculiarities of the integumental outgrowths and external genitalia of representatives of Aspidothoracidae and Bardohymenidae, and other close relatives, are highlighted.

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Neonicotinoid insecticides are currently of major concern for the health of wild and managed insects that provide key ecosystem services like pollination. Even though sublethal effects of neonicotinoids are well known, there is surprisingly little information on how they possibly impact developmental stability, and to what extent genetics are involved. This holds especially true for haploid individuals because they are hemizygous at detoxification loci and may be more susceptible. Here we take advantage of haplodiploidy in Western honey bees, Apis mellifera, to show for the first time that neonicotinoids affect developmental stability in diploid females (workers), and that haploid males (drones) are even more susceptible. Phenotypic fore wing venation abnormalities and fluctuating wing asymmetry, as measures of developmental instability, were significantly increased under field-realistic neonicotinoid-exposure of colonies. The higher susceptibility of haploid drones suggests that heterozygosity can play a key role in the ability to buffer the sublethal effects of neonicotinoids. Aiming to improve conservation efforts, our findings highlight the urgent need to better understand the role that genetics plays at enabling non-target organisms to cope with insecticide exposure.

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To serve as a reference point for future studies of the genus Cryptophasa Lewin, 1805, the type species, Cryptophasa irrorata Lewin, 1805, is redescribed with particular emphasis on the morphology of the male genitalia.

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Hitherto, the panurgine genus Liphanthus Reed 1894 has been thought to have only a single species with two, as opposed to three, submarginal cells. Here we describe an additional fifteen species with two submarginal cells. These new species are: L. jenamro Mir Sharifi Packer, L. sapos Mir Sharifi Packer, L. domeykoi Packer, L. discolor Mir Sharifi Packer, L. centralis Mir Sharifi Packer, L. molavi Mir Sharifi Packer (all of the above are from Chile), L. abotorabi Mir Sharifi Packer, L. cochabambensis Mir Sharifi Packer (both from Bolivia), L. fritzi Mir Sharifi Packer, L. amblayensis Mir Sharifi Packer (both from Argentina), L. ancashensis Mir Sharifi Packer (from Peru), L. tregualemensis Packer (from Chile), L. yrigoyeni Packer, L. sparsipunctus Packer (both from Argentina) and L. aliavenus Packer (from Chile). Only L. tregualemensis readily fits within any of the previously described subgenera-Liphanthus (Leptophanthus) Ruz and Toro 1983. Liphanthus aliavenus is known from two specimens, one with three and one with two submarginal cells whereas L. molavi has one individual with two submarginal cells on one forewing and three on the other while all other specimens have two submarginal cells on each forewing. We verified that none of these new species are merely two submarginal celled variants of species with three submarginal cells (such intraspecific variation arises also in some other bees) by i) comparing each of the new species with all keys, figures and descriptions of all Liphanthus species, ii) comparisons with holotypes and/or paratypes of most of the described species and iii) surveys of the specimens of undescribed species with three submarginal cells in our collection. None of the new species seem closely related to L. (Neoliphanthis) bicellularis Ruz and Toro 1983, the only previously described Liphanthus species with two submarginal cells. It is the second submarginal crossvein that is lost in all species except L. aliavenus in which the first submarginal cross vein is lost. DNA barcode data are presented for some of the species. Some interesting morphological features associated with the penis valves are described and discussed. The genus is recorded from Bolivia for the first time.

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A new species, Nothochrysaehrenbergi sp. nov., is described from Chile; it is the first species of Nothochrysa to be reported from the Southern Hemisphere and only the second from the New World. The genus now contains six extant species as well as two species known from late Oligocene and Miocene fossils. An updated catalog of the valid Nothochrysa species is presented, and three nomina dubia are discussed. The inclusion of the new species in Nothochrysa is well supported by morphological features. However, it and other species currently in the genus also share significant features with Archaeochrysa, an older genus of Nothochrysinae which is known only from the Eocene (Ypresian) to the late Oligocene. It therefore appears that N.ehrenbergi is among the least derived Nothochrysa species, and that the separation of Archaeochrysa from Nothochrysa is open to question and further examination.

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Two new genera and species of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) are described and illustrated from mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. Mulleroconishyalina gen. n. et sp. n., attributed to the Coniopteryginae, bears a unique combination of venation characters and an abdomen without plicatures. The second new genus, attributed to the Aleuropteryginae, i.e. Palaeoconisazari gen. n. et sp. n., displays a unique pattern of crossveins 1m-cua and 2mp2-cua, with the latter crossing the pigmented spot. A check-list of all fossil genera and species of Coniopterygidae is provided.

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The wings of Ptiliidae, the coleopteran family containing the smallest free-living insects, are analyzed in detail for the first time. A reconstruction of the evolutionary sequence of changes associated with miniaturization is proposed. The wings of several species are described using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphology and scaling are analyzed in comparison with larger representatives of related groups. The wings of all studied ptiliids show some degree of ptiloptery (feather-like shape, typical for extremely small insects). In larger ptiliids the wing contains at least five veins, has a wide blade, and bears a marginal fringe of 200-300 setae; in the smallest species it has three veins or fewer, a narrow blade, and about 40 setae along the margin. The setae are brush-like; peculiar outgrowths, denser towards the apex, increase the effective diameter of the setae. Morphometric analysis shows that the geometry of the wings and their elements strongly differs from those of other staphyliniform beetles, suggesting that the aerodynamics of the feather-like wings may also differ distinctly from the usual pattern.

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New subtribe, Oronoquina subtrib. n., is erected for the genus Oronoqua Fennah, 1947 in the tribe Thioniini Melichar. New genera, Fowlerium gen. n. (type species: Thionia naso Fowler, 1905) and Aplos gen. n. (type species: Issus simplex Germar, 1830) are erected in the subtribe Thioniina Melichar. Thionia acuta Doering, 1941 and T. producta Van Duzee, 1908 are transferred to Fowlerium gen. n. The photos of type specimen of Issus cinctifrons Stål, 1854 are examined and compared with original description of Issus rubrocostatus Spinola, 1839 (currently Thionia rubrocostata (Spinola, 1839)). I. cinctifrons is reinstalled from synonymy with I. rubrocostatus as Thionia cinctifrons (Stål, 1854). Diagnosis of Thionia sensu stricto is given basing on the characters of T. cinctifrons. Generic status of Cheiloceps Uhler, 1895 is discussed and confirmed. Thionia argo Fennah, 1949, T. anguillana Fennah, 1965, T. borinqueta Caldwell et Martorell, 1951, and T. puertoricensis Caldwell et Martorell, 1951 are transferred to the genus Cheiloceps Uhler. Hind wing venation characters of Issidae are discussed.

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