[Entomology • 2024] Euclimacia radioquaesentis • A New Species of the Mantidfly Genus Euclimacia (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Vietnam

 

Euclimacia radioquaesentis 

Ehlers, Li, Kirschey & Ohl, 2024

 

DOI: 10.3897/dez.71.123553 

Abstract

A new species of the family Mantispidae (Neuroptera) from Vietnam is described. Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. shows a unique colour pattern, which is distinctive within the genus. The colouration and morphology of both sexes of the new species are described in detail and illustrated. The naming of the new species is linked to a popular citizen-science event in choosing the name for this species (and three other species from different undescribed species by taxonomists of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin).

Key Words: Adaption, lacewings, mimicry, new species, parasitoid, polymorphism, sexual dimorphism, Southeast Asia, wasp mimic

 

Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. male holotype and female paratype with distribution map.
A. Habitus dorsal holotype male. Insert shows asymmetrical bifurcation between left and right costal area of fore-wings. Antecostal sutures (acs) and glabrous marks (gm) visible. The two black lines on the margin of the wing apex of the right fore-wing indicate the width of the oblique apical dark band;
B. Localities (red rhombus) in Vietnam of the radioquaesentis type series. The number in the rhombus symbol indicates the count of specimens in this locality;
C. Female paratype radioquaesentis dorsal view. The two black lines on the margin of the wing apex of the right fore-wing indicate the width of the oblique apical dark band. Scale bars: 5 mm (A, B).

Euclimacia radioquaesentis male.
A. Head frontal view. The subantennal suture (sas) is curved outwards; B. Head and thorax in dorsal view. The epicranial sutures are comprised by the frontal sutures (fs) and the coronal suture (cs). A black transversal band runs along the pronatal groove over the maculae (mc) and the pronatal humps (ph). The horizontal dashed lines indicate the three areas of the prothorax, the prozona (p1), the metazona (p2) and the pronatal base (p3);
C. Lateral view on head, thorax and forelegs.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A); 2 mm (B, C).

Class Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Order Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Mantispidae Leach, 1815

Subfamily Mantispinae Leach, 1815

Genus Euclimacia Enderlein, 1910

Type species: Euclimacia partita Enderlein, 1910: 366, by original designation.

 Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: The combination of colour characters in the new species is unique within Euclimacia. The contrast between the head and prothorax and the rest of the thorax and abdomen is striking. The prothorax and head have a distinct yellow colour, the remaining thorax is almost uniformly black. The abdomen of the male is also almost completely black with only a few brown markings. The female has a brownish abdomen with a black base. The wing colour is also unique in combination with the body colouration. The wings of E. radioquaesentis have the prominent feature of differently-coloured pterostigmata in fore and hind wing. Whereas the fore-wing pterostigma is yellow, the hind-wing pterostigma is brown. There are currently six species in Euclimacia with this diagnostic character, but these species differ distinctly in body colouration. Whereas in E. radioquaesentis sp. nov., the head and the prothorax are markedly yellow, in the other six species both parts are either ferruginous (E. rhombica Navás, 1914), reddish-brown (E. morosa (Gerstäcker, 1893); E. zonalis Navás, 1914; E. regina Esben-Petersen, 1917; E. rufocincta Handschin, 1961) or completely black (E. gerstaeckeri Banks, 1920).

Etymology: The species epithet is made up of two words ‘radio’ and ‘quaesentis’. The latter derives from Latin and means ‘searched for’. The name was chosen as part of a radio show. Citizens were invited to submit name suggestions. The most suitable was radioquaesentis – searched for on the radio.

 Sarah Ehlers, Hongyu Li, Lukas Kirschey and Michael Ohl. 2024.  A New Species of the Mantidfly Genus Euclimacia from Vietnam (Neuroptera, Mantispidae). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 71(2): 255-264. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/dez.71.123553 

Researchgate.net/publication/385126981_A_new_species_of_Euclimacia_from_Vietnam

[Entomology • 2012] Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus • A spectacular New Species and Genus of Nevrorthidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from China, with Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Implications

 Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 2012 

 DOI: 10.1080/01650424.2012.718086

  Researchgate.net/publication/263520254

DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028  Photo H. Li

Abstract

A new species and genus of Nevrorthidae, Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. gen. et n. sp., from Yunnan Province, China, is described. The generic status of the new genus is discussed based on the genital morphology. The phylogenetic and biogeographical relevance of the new genus and its implications on the whole family are discussed.

Keywords: Nevrorthidae, taxonomy, China, phylogeny, biogeography

Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, female holotype, China, Yunnan

Photo H. Li DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028  

  Nature images of Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. sp. and its habitat:
(3) living female; (4) streams near the collecting site; (5) waterfall above the collecting site.

Xingyue Liu, Horst Aspöck and Ulrike Aspöck. 2012. Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. gen. et n. sp. – A spectacular New Species and Genus of Nevrorthidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from China, with Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Implications. Aquatic Insects: International Journal of Freshwater Entomology. 34(2); 131-141. DOI: 10.1080/01650424.2012.718086

  Researchgate.net/publication/263520254_Sinoneurorthus_yunnanicus_n_gen_et_n_sp_-_a_new_species_and_genus_of_Neuroptera_from_China

Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck and Xingyue Liu. 2017. The Nevrorthidae, mistaken at all times: phylogeny and review of present knowledge (Holometabola, Neuropterida, Neuroptera). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 64(2): 77-110. DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028

[Entomology • 2022] Rediscovery of Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) in Eastern North America

 

Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793)

in Skvarla et Fisher, 2022.

DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.124.2.332

Abstract

Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) was formerly widespread across North America, but was extirpated from eastern North America by the 1950s. We report a specimen collected from Fayetteville, Arkansas, which represents a new state record and the first specimen recorded in eastern North America in over fifty years. We also reexamine a previously published dataset and discuss the history of P. punctata in eastern North America. The importance of community science efforts are discussed and compared with museum holdings. We propose that P. punctata may have always been uncommon in eastern North America, or at least when insect collecting began in earnest in the late 1800s, and support our case by examining collection effort in other insects. This discovery suggests there may be relictual populations of this large, charismatic insect yet to be discovered.

 

Michael J. Skvarla and  J. Ray Fisher. 2022. Rediscovery of Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) in Eastern North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 124(2); 332-345. DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.124.2.332

https://phys.org/news/2023-02-rare-insect-arkansas-walmart-historic.html

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Palaeoneurorthus baii • Giant Jurassic Dragon Lacewing Larvae (Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) with Lacustrine Palaeoecology represent the Oldest Fossil Rrecord of Larval Neuropterans

Palaeoneurorthus baii  

 Du, Niu & Bao, 2022

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2500 

Illustration: Bai Bingyang

Abstract

Neuropterans seem to be less specious among holometabolans, while they are in fact the relicts of a diverse group from the Mesozoic era. Their early radiation resulted in great family level morphological heterogeneity of extant neuropterans, especially of their larvae. The earliest previously reported fossil larvae of this group were from the Early Cretaceous, where they already showed high taxonomic diversity and an extremely wide range of variations in morphotypes. In this work, the earliest record of the larva of the neuropteran Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Beds of China is described. The larvae, which have large and elongated bodies, straight stylets with curved apices, an extremely elongated cervix and an extended anterior lobe of pronotum, are placed in Nevrorthidae. The elongated cervix is probably a specialized adaptation for hunting small organisms. The palaeoenvironment of these larvae indicates that larvae of Nevrorthidae have exhibited stable aquatic ecology since the Middle Jurassic, and underwent a possible shift from lakes to more lotic yet constricted modern mountain rivulet habitats over time.

Keywords: palaeoecology, Nevrorthidae, Neuroptera, Daohugou biota, Jurassic, palaeoentomology

  Holotype of Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov., larva (YLSNHM01098) from the Daohugou Beds, Ningcheng County, China.
(a) Photograph of the complete body (dry), (b) drawing of the complete body, (c) photograph of head and anterior half of cervix (in alcohol), (d) colour marked version of head and cervix.

a1–a9, abdominal element 1–9, cs, coronal suture, cv, cervix, fe, femur, fs, frontal suture, md, mandible, ms, mesothorax, mt, metathorax, mxst, maxillary stylet, P2, setae on the posterior parietal region (tentatively homologized setae, ...), pl, palpus labialis, pt, prothorax, S3, ventrolateral setae on the rounded temples, tar, tarsus, te, trunk end, ti, tibia, tr, trochanter. Scale bars = 10 mm (a, a1), 2 mm (b, b1). 178 × 164 mm (300 × 300 DPI).

Systematic palaeontology

Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758

Osmyloidea Panfilov, 1980

Nevrorthidae Nakahara, 1915

Palaeoneurorthus gen. nov.

Etymology: the generic name consists of Latin ‘palaeo-’ which indicates the antiquity of this taxon, and ‘Neurorthus’, the type genus of Nevrorthidae.

Type locality: Daohugou Village, Ningcheng County, NE China.

Horizon and age: Jiulongshan Formation, upper Middle Jurassic.

Repository: Holotype: Yingliang Stone Nature History Museum, China. Paratype: Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, China Academy of Sciences.

Palaeoneurorthus baii sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: i) large body size, ii) rostrum not developed, iii) cervix extremely elongated, twice the length of the head capsule, narrower than the head capsule and prothorax.

Etymology: the specific name is dedicated to Bai Bingyang, who provided the holotype for research.

Ecological reconstruction of Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov.

(by Bai Bingyang).

Xuheng Du, Kecheng Niu and Tong Bao. 2022. Giant Jurassic Dragon Lacewing Larvae with Lacustrine Palaeoecology represent the Oldest Fossil Rrecord of Larval Neuropterans. Proc. R. Soc. B. 290: 20222500. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2500 

[Entomology • 2021] Joguina unimaculata • A New Species of Joguina Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from south-western India

 

Joguina unimaculata

Winterton, Balakrishnan & Chenthamarakshan, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4970.3.9

Researchgate.net/publication/351634818

Abstract

A new species of the delicate lacewing, Joguina Navás, 1912 (Chrysopidae: Apochrysinae) is described and figured from  India. A key to species of Joguina is presented as well as revised diagnoses of both Joguina and its sister genus, Lainius Navás, 1913 stat. rev.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Apochrysinae

Joguina unimaculata sp. n.

 Common name. One-spotted delicate lacewing.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin—unus, one; maculatus, spot, stain, referring to the single pustule in each wing.

Shaun L. Winterton, Suryanarayanan Thangalazhi Balakrishnan and Bijoy Chenthamarakshan. 2021. A New Species of Joguina Navás, 1912 from India (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Zootaxa. 4970(3); 577–585. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4970.3.9

Researchgate.net/publication/351634818_A_new_species_of_Joguina_from_India

[Entomology • 2021] Ankylopteryx (A.) diffluens & A. (A.) rubrocincta • Two New Species of the Green Lacewing Subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer, 1864 (s. str.) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from China

Ankylopteryx (Ankylopteryx) diffluens 

Ma & Liu, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

Abstract

Two new species of the green lacewing subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer are described from southern Yunnan, China, namely Ankylopteryx (A.) diffluens sp. nov. and Ankylopteryx (A.) rubrocincta sp. nov.. An updated key to the species of this subgenus is provided.

Keywords: Neuroptera, new species, green lacewing, key

 

Yunlong Ma and Xingyue Liu. 2021. Two New Species of the Green Lacewing Subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer, 1864 (s. str.) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from China. Zootaxa. 4941(3); 425–433. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

[Entomology • 2020] Rhachiella malawica from Malawi • Another Beauty of the Afrotropics (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae)

 Rhachiella malawica

Aspöck, Aspöck, Johnson, Donga & Duelli, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4808.1.7

Abstract

A new species and a new genus of Rhachiberothidae, Rhachiella malawica gen. nov., spec. nov., are described from Malawi. The new species is characterized by a flat vertex, a long penisfilum in the male, and by a bifurcate pseudohypocauda in the female. This combination of characters requires the description of a new genus, which is the sister taxon of Mucroberotha Tjeder, 1959. This is the first record of Rhachiberothidae in Malawi.

 The distributions of all 14 species of Rhachiberothidae so far known are shown in three maps.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Neuropterida, Thorny Lacewings, taxonomy, distribution

 Rhachiella malawica spec. nov., paratype, female, habitus - Length of forewing 7 mm.

(photo: Thomas Reich, WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland). 

Genus Rhachiella gen. nov.

 Rhachiella malawica spec. nov. 

Etymology: Rhachiella is derived from Rhachiberotha. It has feminine gender; malawica is an adjective derived from the country where the species has been discovered.

 Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, James B. Johnson, Trust Kasambala Donga and Peter Duelli. 2020. Rhachiella malawica gen. nov., spec. nov. from Malawi— Another Beauty of the Afrotropics (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae). Zootaxa. 4808(1); 131–140. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4808.1.7

[Entomology • 2020] Cymothales massaronei • A New Cymothales Gerstaecker (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae) from the Gabonese Rainforest

Cymothales massaronei 

 Badano, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4803.2.6 

twitter.com/WBA_social

Abstract

Nine species of Cymothales, one of the most characteristic African antlion genera, are known from the Guineo-Congolian rainforests. A new species, Cymothales massaronei sp. nov. is described here from Gabon. Cymothales massaronei sp. nov. is characterized by the fifth tarsomere equal in length to the first tarsomere, but differs from all of the congeners with this character in the shape and markings of wings, shape of antenna and body pattern.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Neuropterida, Myrmeleontiformia, antlion, Afrotropical Region, Guineo-Congolian forests, Gabon

Myrmeleontidae Latreille, 1802

Dendroleontinae Banks, 1899

Dendroleontini Banks, 1899

Cymothales Gerstaecker, 1893

FIGURE 1. Cymothales massaronei sp. nov., holotype. A: habitus.

Scale bars, A: 10 mm.

FIGURE 1. Cymothales massaronei sp. nov., holotype.
B: head and thorax lateral view. C: head and pronotum, dorsal view. D: head, frontal view.

Scale bars, B: 2 mm, C–D: 1 mm.

Cymothales massaronei sp. nov.  

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of its collector, Carlo Massarone, who brought it to the attention of the author, as a sign of friendship.

Davide Badano. 2020. A New Cymothales Gerstaecker from the Gabonese Rainforest (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae). Zootaxa. 4803(2); 345–354.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4803.2.6 

twitter.com/WBA_social/status/1277866023702626304

[Entomology • 2020] Chrysopa niki • A New Unexpected Species of Chrysopa Leach (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from Cyprus with Biogeographic Remarks

Chrysopa niki

Badano & Makris, 2020

 DOI: 10.1080/00379271.2020.1756911 

photos by Christodoulos Makris. 

  twitter.com/WBA_social

Summary

Cyprus is rich in endemics; however, all but two lacewing species are shared with the mainland. Thus, the discovery of a new morphologically distinct species of chrysopid belonging to the extensively studied genus Chrysopa, Chrysopa niki n. sp., appears remarkable. While most Chrysopa species differ in relatively subtle morphological characters, the new taxon is set apart from all Western Palaearctic congeners due to a unique combination of pattern, venational, leg and genital characters. The characteristics of C. niki n. sp. suggest that it might be an endemic to Cyprus, not strictly related to other congeners, underlining the importance of the discovery. The biogeography of Cypriot Neuroptera is discussed in light of this new finding.

  

Keywords: Neuropterida, green lacewings, Mediterranean, biogeography, endemics, new species

Taxonomy

Family Chrysopidae Schneider, 1851

Subfamily Chrysopinae Schneider, 1851

Tribe Chrysopini Schneider, 1851

Genus Chrysopa Leach in Brewster, 1815

Figure 1. Chrysopa niki n. sp., live specimens, habitus. 
A, ♂ (Cyprus, Kalo Chorio, 17.VI.2016, not collected). B, ♂ paratype, pale morph (Koilani, Agia Mavri). C, ♀ paratype (Koilani, Agia Mavri).

All photos by Christodoulos Makris.

  twitter.com/WBA_social

Chrysopa niki n. sp. 

Etymology: The new species is named after Niki Makri, the daughter of one of the authors, C. Makris. The specific name is a noun in apposition.

Davide Badano and Christodoulos Makris. 2020. A New Unexpected Species of Chrysopa Leach from Cyprus with Biogeographic Remarks (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Annales de la Société entomologique de France (N.S.): International Journal of Entomology. DOI: 10.1080/00379271.2020.1756911  

 twitter.com/WBA_social/status/1265566613371334663

Résumé: Une nouvelle espèce inattendue de Chrysopa Leach de Chypre avec des remarques biogéographiques (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae). Chypre est riche en espèces endémiques, mais tous les névroptères à l’exception de deux sont partagés avec le continent. À cet égard, la découverte d’une nouvelle espèce de chrysope morphologiquement distincte appartenant au genre Chrysopa, Chrysopa niki n. sp., est remarquable. Tandis que la plupart des espèces de Chrysopa se distinguent par des caractères morphologiques relativement subtils, le nouveau taxon se differencie de tous ses congénères du Paléarctique occidental grâce à une combinaison unique de caractères de coloration, des nervures et des genitalia. Les caractéristiques de C. niki n. sp. suggèrent qu’il s’agit d’une espèce endémique de Chypre, non strictement affine d’autres congénères, soulignant l’importance du nouveau taxon. La biogéographie des névroptères chypriotes est discutée en fonction de cette découverte.

[PaleoEntomology • 2020] Hidden Diversity of Small Predators: New Thorny Lacewings (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Paraberothinae) from mid-Cretaceous Amber from northern Myanmar

 Uranoberotha chariessa  

Nakamine, Yamamoto & Takahashi, 2020

DOI: 10.1017/S0016756820000205

  twitter.com/kobuyahazu

Abstract

Thorny lacewings (Rhachiberothidae) are currently distributed only within Africa, whereas they are prevalent in the fossil record of various Cretaceous ambers across the Northern Hemisphere, with a handful of the fossil records from some Eocene European ambers. Four rhachiberothid species in four extinct genera are known from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. Here, we report further examples of the remarkable palaeodiversity of this group from the same amber deposit, adding the four new fossil genera and seven new species: Acanthoberotha cuspis gen. et sp. nov., Astioberotha falcipes gen. et sp. nov., Stygioberotha siculifera gen. et sp. nov., Uranoberotha chariessa gen. et sp. nov., Creagroparaberotha cuneata sp. nov., Micromantispa galeata sp. nov. and M. spicata sp. nov. Based on a series of well-preserved specimens, we discuss the fine details of the raptorial forelegs and genital segments, which may be important for elucidating the phylogenetic relationships among genera. Our findings reveal an unexpectedly diverse assemblage of thorny lacewings in the Cretaceous System, highlighting the morphologically diverse rhachiberothids in Burmese amber. The discovery of seven additional rhachiberothid species in Myanmar amber suggests the potential for much higher diversity and abundance of the Cretaceous rhachiberothids than previously documented. Furthermore, morphological variation in the raptorial forelegs was found to be extremely diverse among the Burmese amber paraberothines, especially in terms of the size, number and shape of spines (or spine-like setae) on the inner edges of protibia, and the morphological structure of the probasitarsus.

Keywords: Mantispoidea, Rhachiberothidae, Paraberothinae, Myanmar, Cenomanian

 Uranoberotha chariessa gen. et sp. nov.

 Stygioberotha siculifera gen. et sp. nov.

Hiroshi Nakamine, Shûhei Yamamoto and Yui Takahashi. 2020. Hidden Diversity of Small Predators: New Thorny Lacewings from mid-Cretaceous Amber from northern Myanmar (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Paraberothinae). Geological Magazine.  First View. DOI: 10.1017/S0016756820000205 

twitter.com/kobuyahazu/status/1247518192370470914

[Entomology • 2020] Review of the Green Lacewing Genus Apochrysa Schneider (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Apochrysa lutea (Walker 1853)

in Winterton & Gupta, 2020.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.3.2

Abstract

Delicate green lacewings in the genus Apochrysa Schneider (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Apochrysinae) are reviewed with each species diagnosed and figured; a key to species is included.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Apochrysinae, Neuropterida, lacewing

Shaun L. Winterton and Ankita Gupta. 2020. Review of the Green Lacewing Genus Apochrysa Schneider (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Zootaxa. 4729(3); 329–346. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.3.2

[PaleoEntomology • 2019] Aragomantispa lacerata • A Mantidfly in Cretaceous Spanish Amber provides insights into the Evolution of Integumentary Specialisations on the Raptorial Foreleg

Aragomantispa lacerata  

Pérez-de la Fuente & Peñalver, 2019. 

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49398-1

facebook.com: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España

Abstract

Multiple predatory insect lineages have developed a raptorial lifestyle by which they strike and hold prey using modified forelegs armed with spine-like structures and other integumentary specialisations. However, how structures enabling the raptorial function evolved in insects remains largely hypothetical or inferred through phylogeny due to the rarity of meaningful fossils. This is particularly true for mantidflies (Neuroptera: Mantispidae), which have a scarce fossil record mostly based on rock compressions, namely isolated wings. Here, Aragomantispa lacerata gen. et sp. nov. is described from ca. 105-million-year-old San Just amber (Spain), representing the oldest and one of the few mantidflies hitherto described from amber. The fossil shows exquisitely preserved forefemoral spine-like structures composed of integumentary processes each bearing a modified seta, and prostrate setae on foretibiae and foretarsi. The fine morphology of these structures was unknown in fossil mantidflies. An assessment of integumentary specialisations from raptorial forelegs across mantispoid lacewings is provided. The present finding reveals how the specialised foreleg armature associated to the raptorial lifestyle in extant mantidflies was present yet not fully established by the Early Cretaceous, at least in some lineages, and provides palaeontological evidence supporting certain evolutionary patterns of acquisition of integumentary specialisations related to the raptorial function in the group.

Systematic palaeontology

Order Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Mantispidae Leach, 1815

Subfamily Drepanicinae Enderlein, 1910

Genus Aragomantispa gen. nov

Type species: Aragomantispa lacerata sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Scape moderately elongate, about 4× longer than wide basally. Forecoxa not particularly elongate, shorter than forefemur (ratio forecoxae/forefemoral length 0.6). Forefemur not laterally flattened ventrally, widening distally and reaching its maximum width slightly beyond its midlength. Forefemur slightly longer than combined length of foretibia and foretarsus (about 1.1×). Forefemur with three types of spine-like structures composed of integumentary processes (IPs) each bearing a modified seta distally, arranged in two longitudinal rows: (1) two ectal and two ental major IPs bearing modified setae; ratio IP length/modified seta length of largest IP (basalmost, ental) 7:1, same ratio of three remaining IPs 3:1; (2) about ten ectal and five ental minor IPs bearing needle-like setae placed on proximal three quarters, ratio IP length/needle-like seta length about 1:3; (3) three ectal and three ental thick, minor IPs bearing thick setae on distal quarter, ratio IP length/thick seta length 3:2. Foretibia slightly arched ventrad, ventrally bearing a single row of closely-spaced prostrate setae, visible only on the distal half of the tibia. Foretarsus pentamerous, with tarsomeres cylindrical and compact. Foretarsomere 1 not particularly elongate, not produced apically. Foretarsomere 5 the longest. Foretarsomeres 1‒4 ventrally with one or two transverse pairs of prostrate setae each. Foretarsal prostrate setae distinct from those on foretibiae, i.e., thicker, with basal stretch erect at about 45° angle and a distal stretch abruptly inclined forwards and running parallel to the tarsus (not directed towards the cuticle). Claws paired and simple (not bifid or multipronged) in all legs. Arolium present in all legs. Meso- and metathoracic legs with tarsomeres 3 and 4 subequal in length. Hind wing with single trichosors along all anterior margin, with costal space very narrow; Sc meeting RA at about 2/3 of the wing length, pterostigmal area hyaline; two ra-rp crossveins before the pterostigmal area, 1rp-ma crossvein straight (not sigmoidal).

Etymology: After “Aragón”, name of the Autonomous Community in Spain where the San Just outcrop is located, and Mantispa, type genus of Mantispidae. Gender: feminine.

 Photomicrographs of Aragomantispa lacerata gen. et sp. nov. (Mantispidae: Drepanicinae), holotype SJ-10-22, from San Just amber.
Dorsolateral habitus, with discernible body parts tagged.

Abbreviations: Ar ‒ Abdominal remains, Fw ‒ Forewing, H ‒ head, Hw ‒ Hind wing, LFl ‒ Left foreleg, RFl ‒ Right foreleg. The asterisk marks a partially preserved snakefly wing (Raphidioptera).

Figure 1: Photomicrographs of Aragomantispa lacerata gen. et sp. nov. (Mantispidae: Drepanicinae), holotype SJ-10-22, from San Just amber.
 (b) Left foreleg in lateral (ectal) view, with inset showing pretarsal claws and arolium (arrow). 

Aragomantispa lacerata sp. nov.

Age and locality: San Just amber, northeastern Spain (Teruel Province). Dated as middle‒upper Albian, but most likely upper Albian according to new extensive, unpublished data on palynomorphs.

Etymology: Specific name is after Latin verb lacerare, meaning “to tear to pieces, to shatter, to destroy”, in its feminine, singular participle perfect passive conjugation, referring to the fragmentary and disintegrated appearance of the holotype’s body.

Figure 5: Reconstruction of Aragomantispa lacerata gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) striking a potential prey, an Alavesia sp. fly, on a hypothetical gleicheniacean fern. Antennal length, thoracic (including pronotal shape and the proportions of meso- and metathoracic legs) and abdominal morphology, striking pose and colouration of the new taxon based on extant mantidfly relatives. Species classified within the genus Alavesia have been found in two Spanish amber localities74, and the fern group is recorded as trichome inclusions and spores within the sediments associated to Spanish amber75; both were most likely abundant in the Iberian amber forest.

Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente and Enrique Peñalver. 2019. A Mantidfly in Cretaceous Spanish Amber provides insights into the Evolution of Integumentary Specialisations on the Raptorial Foreleg. Scientific Reports. 9: 13248. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49398-1

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[PaleoEntomology • 2019] Nature's Failed Experiment: Long-proboscid Neuroptera (Sisyridae: Paradoxosisyrinae) from Upper Cretaceous Amber of northern Myanmar

Buratina truncata Khramov

in Khramov, Yan & Kopylov, 2019

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.07.010 

Abstract

Four new genera and species of long-proboscid Paradoxosisyrinae (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) are described from the Upper Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar: Buratina truncata gen. et sp. nov., Sidorchukatia gracilis gen. et sp. nov., Protosiphoniella anthophila gen. et sp. nov. and Khobotun elephantinus gen. et sp. nov. Presence of an elongated labrum is confirmed for Paradoxosisyrinae for the first time. 3D modelling was used to demonstrate how the mouthparts of B. truncata were assembled together during feeding. We show that there is considerable diversity in the morphology of mouthparts, wing venation and wing patterns of Paradoxosisyrinae. Nectar-feeding habits are suggested for Paradoxosisyrinae on the basis of microscopic examination of their stylet-like mouthpart structures. Possible reasons for evolutionary failure of long-proboscid Neuroptera are discussed.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Flowering plants, Insect pollination, Mouthparts, Burmese amber

 

Order Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758 

Family Sisyridae Banks, 1905 

Subfamily Paradoxosisyrinae Makarkin, 2016 

Mouthparts of Buratina truncata gen. et sp. nov., PIN 5608/11, holotype.  

 Buratina truncata gen. et sp. nov. feeding on Tropidogyne flowers, which are common in Burmese amber.

Reconstruction by Andrey Sochivko.

Buratina Khramov gen. nov.

Etymology. Genus named after Buratina, a long-nosed character of the science fiction novel by Michael Kharitonov. Gender is feminine.

Buratina truncata Khramov sp. nov.  

Etymology. Derived from the Latin word truncus, meaning trunk.

 Sidorchukatia Khramov gen. nov. 

Etymology. Genus is named in memory of Ekaterina A. Sidorchuk (1981-2019), a recently deceased Russian paleoacarologist, who helped with preparation and microscopic examination of this specimen. Gender is feminine.

 Sidorchukatia gracilis Khramov sp. nov. 

Etymology. Derived from the Latin word gracilis, meaning slender.

Protosiphoniella Khramov gen. nov.

Etymology. A genus name derived from the Greek words proto- meaning first and siphon (tube). Gender is feminine.

Protosiphoniella anthophila Khramov sp. nov.  

Etymology. Derived from the Greek words anthos meaning flower and philos (loving).

Khobotun Khramov gen. nov.  

Etymology. A genus name derived from the Russian word khobot meaning a proboscis. Gender is masculine. 

Khobotun elephantinus Khramov sp. nov.  

Etymology. Derived from the Latin word elephantinus meaning pertaining to the elephant.  

  

 Alexander V. Khramov, Evgeny Yan and Dmitry S. Kopylov. 2019. Nature's Failed Experiment: Long-proboscid Neuroptera (Sisyridae: Paradoxosisyrinae) from Upper Cretaceous Amber of northern Myanmar. Cretaceous Research. 104; 104180.  DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.07.010

    

[Entomology • 2019] Lance Lacewings of the World (Neuroptera: Archeosmylidae, Osmylidae, Saucrosmylidae): Review of Living and Fossil Genera

Porismus strigatus (Burmeister, 1839)

in Winterton, Martins, Makarkin, et al., 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4581.1.1

Abstract

The genera of the lance lacewing family Osmylidae (Neuroptera) and extinct allied families (Archeosmylidae, Saucrosmylidae) are reviewed. A key to living Osmylidae genera of the world is presented. Each genus is diagnosed and figured with a checklist of species included for each. New, revised or support for previous taxonomic changes include the following: Nuddsia Menon & Makarkin, 2008 (= Burmaleon Myskowiak et al., 2016 syn. nov.); Kempynus Navás, 1912 (= Clydosmylus New 1983a syn. nov.); Osmylus Latreille, 1802 (= Hyposmylus McLachlan; Dictyosmylus Navás, 1910; Plesiosmylus, Makarkin, 1985; Plethosmylus Krüger, 1913a); Parosmylus Needham, 1909 (= Mesosmylus Krüger, 1913c; Phlebosmylus Navás, 1928 syn. nov.); Thaumatosmylus Krüger, 1913a (= Glenosmylus Krüger, 1913a syn. nov.). New classification changes include: Mesomylidus Jepson, 2012 and Petrushevkia Martynova, 1958 are transferred to Protosmylinae; Lahulus Navás, 1930 is placed in Osmylinae; Stenosmylina Jepson et al., 2009 is transferred to Eidoporisminae. Cratovoluptia Martins-Neto & Rodrigues, 2009 is removed from Osmylidae and transferred to Ithonidae, while Cratosmylus Myskowiak et al., 2015 is transferred to Nymphidae. Idiastogyia Lin, 1986 and Yanosmylus Ren in Ren et al., 1995 are excluded from Osmylidae and placed as incertae sedis in Neuroptera.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Osmlyloidea, fossil, lance lacewing, Neuroptera

 Shaun L. Winterton, Caleb Califre Martins, Vladimir N. Makarkin, Adrian Ardila-Camacho and Yongjie Wang. 2019. Lance Lacewings of the World (Neuroptera: Archeosmylidae, Osmylidae, Saucrosmylidae): Review of Living and Fossil Genera. Zootaxa. 4581(1); 1–99.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4581.1.1