ABSTRACT Dichotomius Hope, 1838 is one of the most diverse and abundant genera of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in the New World. It congregates about 200 species distributed from the northeastern United States to central Argentina, and is arranged into four subgenera: Dichotomius s. str., Cephagonus Luederwaldt, 1929, Homocanthonides Luederwaldt, 1929 and Selenocopris Burmeister, 1846. The subgenus nominotypical has seen the least progress in its taxonomy, with only 15% of species with information in a recent revision. Therefore, in this paper, using a protocol for taxonomic revision and reviewing the type material and more than 12,000 specimens from 32 entomological collections, we have divided Dichotomius s. str. into two subgenera. We describe Dichotomius (Luederwaldtius) new subgenus to encompass, the smallest species (less than 20 mm), 13 species which previously belonged to D. sensu stricto, four species of Dichotomius (Selenocopris), and several undescribed species. Dichotomius triangulariceps (Blanchard, 1846) is transferred to the subgenus Selenocopris based on characters of the male genitalia. The subgenus Dichotomius s. str., in its new, more restricted sense, is delimited to include approximately 73 species arranged into, 12 species groups, plus two incertae sedis species. For each group, its definition is presented with species composition and geographic distribution. The incertae sedis species, D. agesilaus (Waterhouse, 1891) and D. compressicollis (Luederwaldt, 1929) (lectotype designated) are revised; the following information is presented for them: taxonomic history, species’ citation in published literature, redescription of males and females, list of material examined, photographs of the external morphology, male genitalia, and distribution map.

ABSTRACT Understanding tri-trophic interactions and the relationship among plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies is fundamental to advancing theoretical and practical ecology. Parasitoidism is among those interactions where tri-trophic levels are usually developed, with hyperparasitism and kleptoparasitism as examples. This study explores the interaction between fig wasps of the genera Physothorax Mayr, 1885 and Sycophila Walker, 1871 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) and the gall midge Ficiomyia brasiliensis Urso-Guimarães, 2024 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) associated with Ficus citrifolia Mill. in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Through behavioral observations and larval dissections we document the “drill on drill” strategy where Sycophila females utilize oviposition holes drilled by Physothorax females on the fig surface to access the host gall midge immatures. This behavior suggests a sophisticated adaptation for reducing oviposition time and conserving energy. Additionally, Sycophila behavior aligns with kleptoparasitic and hyperparasitic strategies, indicating a complex evolutionary history and ecological interaction. Our findings provide insight into the intricate relationships among non-pollinating fig wasps and their hosts, contributing to the broader understanding of tri-trophic interactions in fig microcosm.

ABSTRACT The genus Erythrodiplax is the most species-rich libellulid in the Neotropics. Erythrodiplax fulva is one of the less known species of this genus, with its larva currently unknown and conservation status undefined. It was described based on specimens from Venezuela and later recorded from Guiana and French Guiana. We record the species from Brazil for the first time, comment on the importance of the distributional expansion range of E. fulva and point out the main differences between similar species.

ABSTRACT Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) is an economically relevant polyphagous moth, widely distributed in the Neotropics and part of the Spodoptera latifascia (Walker, 1856) species group. In this study, we used extensive sampling from different regions to describe the spatial distribution of S. cosmioides in Brazil and evaluate its variability both from morphological and molecular perspectives. Variable coloration and several morphological similarities were found among S. cosmioides and congeners of the S. latifascia complex, diverging from each 0.5 to 3.5% of mitochondrial DNA. The genetic divergence at the species level of S. cosmioides was 0.5% throughout Brazil, and a geographic structure was absent, including shared haplotypes with S. descoinsi Lalanne-Cassou & Silvain, 1994. Spodoptera cosmioides was found in all six biomes of Brazil, with the highest abundance recorded in the Cerrado, followed by the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, Caatinga, Pantanal, and Pampa.

ABSTRACT Influence of Quaternary climate change on the potencial distribution of Atlantic Forest dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). The role of Cenozoic paleoclimatic changes in the distribution of dung beetles species from the Atlantic Forest (AF) remains poorly understood. We used ecological niche modeling under different scenarios (present, 6 ka, 21 ka, and 120 ka) to investigate how climatic oscillations during the Quaternary might have influenced the distribution of species endemic to this region. Models were built for five of the nine dung beetle species of the Dichotomius sericeus group: D. iannuzziae, D. irinus, D. laevicollis, D. schiffleri, and D. sericeus. The models of climatic suitability for D. irinus and D. laevicollis show a similar historical pattern in response to climate change but were divergent from D. iannuzziae, D. schiffleri, and D. sericeus. Dichotomius schiffleri is the species with the smallest area of potencial occurrence. Over time, the species probably remained limited to lowland AF areas on the Brazilian coast and, it is currently found preferentially in Restinga ecosystems along the coast. Regarding the potential distribution models at the present, D. iannuzziae, D. schiffleri, and D. sericeus have potential distributions similar to their realized distribution. This study shows that the historical distribution of the D. sericeus species group has been influenced by paleoclimatic changes that occurred in the AF over the last 120 ka.

ABSTRACT A fortuitous observation of mate-guarding behavior of male Chrysoprasis a. auriventris is presented here. In our observation, a male hold onto the female's body using his forelegs and walks along with her while she lays the eggs into the trunk slits. While guarding the female, the male adopted aggressive postures and attacked rival males that approached her. We suggest that the mate-guarding behavior may explain the male's elongated mid and hindlegs in this species, under a functional perspective. Additionally, a new host plant association was recorded.

ABSTRACT Heptozus Lindner, with a known distribution in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama, is recorded for the first time in Brazil with the occurrence of Heptozus hansoni James in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

ABSTRACT The significant role of Aedes aegypti as a vector of several arboviruses has intensified studies on vector control tools, including Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits containing Pyriproxyfen (ATSB-PPF). PPF is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that has been used to control immature mosquitoes, but it also has direct effects on female reproduction. This study evaluated the effect of physical exposure of Ae. aegypti females with ATSB-PPF on fecundity and fertility at different times before and after blood meal. Females were confined in cages impregnated with ATSB-PPF at different concentrations (5, 50, and 500 ppm). One group of females was exposed to the baits 24 and 48 hours Before the Blood Meal (BBM), and in the other group, exposure occurred 24 and 48 hours After the Blood Meal (ABM). The number of eggs laid, larvae, and pupation rate were analyzed. Exposure of Ae. aegypti females to ATSB-PPF bait 24 hours after the blood meal was able to reduce the number of eggs laid, especially at the higher concentrations used, but the number of larvae obtained was reduced regardless of the exposure time to ATSB-PPF, i.e., 24 hours before or after the blood meal, or the concentration of PPF used. No changes were observed in the number of pupae from larvae obtained from eggs laid by mosquitoes exposed to ATSB-PPF. Physical exposure of mosquitoes to sugar baits is sufficient to reduce the investigated reproductive parameters of Ae. aegypti.

ABSTRACT This study provides a description of the female and a redescription of the male terminalia of Dixella woodi Chaverri & Borkent, 2007, which is recorded in Peru for the first time. Diagnoses for the other two Peruvian Dixidae species, Dixella andeana (Lane, 1942) and Dixella peruviana (Edwards, 1931), and remarks on their types are presented along with a key to distinguish the three species. Dixella woodi differs significantly from other Neotropical Dixella Dyar & Shannon, 1924 species, such as the presence of elongated setae on the medial portion of the katepisternum and unique characteristics in both male and female terminalia. The findings underscore the importance of systematic collection sampling and taxonomic revision in the Neotropical region to advance our understanding of Dixidae diversity and distribution.

ABSTRACT Xylem sap-feeding auchenorrhynchans, e.g. sharpshooters and spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea, respectively), are considered potential vectors of the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which is associated with olive leaf desiccation syndrome, a severe disease affecting olive orchards (Olea europaea L.) in the Mantiqueira mountain range region, southeastern Brazil. We evaluated, through faunal analysis, the composition and predominance of Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea species collected fortnightly over two years with yellow sticky cards in eight olive orchards distributed along an altitudinal gradient in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. A high diversity of Cicadellinae (64 species) and Cercopoidea (10 species) was found in the orchards, with 20 of them considered predominant. Clastoptera sp. 1, Macugonalia cavifrons, and Scopogonalia paula were the most representative among the predominant species. We also found out that the trap position on the olive tree canopy at a height of 0.8 m above ground is more efficient than at 1.6 m for capturing the majority of Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea species associated with olive orchards.

ABSTRACT Cerciplanus Garcia & Urso-Guimarães (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) is a gall-inducing genus that hosts Ouratea species (Ochnaceae). The genus consists of three species, Cerciplanus cipo Garcia & Urso-Guimarães, Cerciplanus tocantinensis Garcia & Urso-Guimarães, and Cerciplaus maricaensis Maia, of which only C. cipo having an unknown larval stage. In the present study, we have described and illustrated the larvae of the 3rd instar of C. cipo.

ABSTRACT Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a parasitoid involved in the biological control of several insects, including blow flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of economic importance. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological aspects of the immature stages of N. vitripennis and to record the postembryonic development time, using pupae of Chrysomya putoria (Wiedeman, 1830) as host. The experiment was conducted in a climatic chamber at 27°C/ day and 25°C/ night, with 60 ± 10% relative humidity and 14h photophase. Three experiment were conducted, each one with different host-parasitoid exposure times, of 12 hours, 16 hours and 24 hours respectively. In each experiment, the host:parasitoid relation applied was three host pupae of C. putoria to one parasitoid female. The experiment lasted 17 days, and it was used nine pupae per day totalizing 153 host pupae. The parasitoidism rate was 16.3% (12h), 40.5% (16h) and 94.1% (24h), respectively. The immature development duration of N. vitripennis with 16 and 24 hours of exposure, was as follows: egg stage (1st day), larvae (2nd to 6th day), prepupae (7th day), pupae (from 8th to 13th day) and pharate adult (14th day). The emergence of the adult parasitoids occurred on the 16th and 15th day with the exposure times of 16 and 24 hours, respectively. The exposure period of 24 hours was the ideal to observe the development time and to characterize the immature of N. vitripennis when compared to the 16 and 12 hours.

ABSTRACT Bama McAlpine is a genus of Platystomatidae restricted to Papua New Guinea. Here, we present the description of the new species, Bama (Bama) dichroma. Additionally, we provide an updated identification key and a distribution map for all known species of Bama.

ABSTRACT The rice stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a significant pest of rice cultivation in Brazil and attacks plants during both vegetative and reproductive phases. Natural enemy surveys conducted in plantations located in Arari, Miranda do Norte, Matões do Norte, Santa Rita, and Viana (state of Maranhão, Brazil) led to the discovery of a new species of parasitoid, which is described in this study. Hexacladia lemosae Costa, Noyes & Machado sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the first species of its genus associated with T. limbativentris and develops as a gregarious endoparasitoid in adult stink bugs, occasionally in nymphs. The parasitoid emerges from the host while host is still alive.

ABSTRACT Cyphoedma n. gen., is validly described following a century of use as an unpublished manuscript name. Cyphoedma mirafloresa (Dognin, 1892) rev. stat. n. comb. is elevated to full species from subspecific status with Cyphoedma transvolutata (Walker, 1860) n. comb., and a third species in the genus is described from Central America: Cyphoedma ashleyorum n. sp. The adult habitus and male and female genitalia are illustrated for each of the three species and available COI (DNA) barcode data are reviewed.