Ishakidris Bolton, 1984 is a monotypic ant genus, previously known only from a solitary specimen collected in Sarawak, Borneo. Unusual morphology of the genus has kept scientists intrigued since its description. Here we report on the discovery of Ishakidris hastifera sp. nov. from Peninsular Malaysia that provides important new insights into the taxonomy of this enigmatic genus and sheds light on its previously unknown diversity and distribution. We present a detailed account of the worker’s diagnostic features, aided by a micro-CT–based 3D model of the holotype, together with a cybertype dataset for the new species and an identification key for the genus. In addition, a 3D model of non-type material is made available for the already established species, Ishakidris ascitaspis Bolton 1984, using additional workers newly collected in Sabah, Borneo. Our analysis of both species’ internal structures, enabled by the 3D models, revealed a shelf-like invagination of the propodeum into the mesosomal cavity – an unprecedented character in ants. Using the morphological data, we discuss the support for the current systematic placement of the genus in Myrmicinae subfamily, or alternative hypothesis for Agroecomyrmecinae, that calls for molecular data to be yet tested.

Belonocnema Mayr (Cynipidae, Cynipini) is an oak gall wasp genus currently known by three described species distributed in the southern and southeastern U.S. and northern Mexico, all associated with live oaks of the Quercus section Virentes. Here, we conducted an integrative systematic study of a new species of Belonocnema , B. mesoamericana Zhang, Zaldívar-Riverón & Fernández-Flores, sp. nov ., reared from galls of the live oak Quercus oleoides Schltdl. in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. We morphologically described the sexual and asexual generations of the new species and their galls, molecularly characterized it based on the DNA barcoding locus, reconstructed its phylogenetic affinities using multilocus data from Ultraconserved Elements, and identified its associated hymenopteran community. The new species is morphologically similar to its sister species, B. kinseyi Weld, though it can be distinguished by color and sculpture features, as well as by the sexual generation forming velvety rootlet galls. Since Q. oleoides is widely distributed across Mesoamerica, we expect the new species to have a broader distribution. A considerably high species richness and phylogenetic diversity of the hymenopteran community associated with the galls were recovered, with 43 morphospecies belonging to 15 genera and 13 families, of which 41 were found in the asexual generation and only three in the sexual generation. This study increases the systematic knowledge of a poorly known Cynipini genus and highlights the extraordinary, yet neglected, insect diversity associated with galls, especially in the Neotropics.

Honeydew is a sugary excretion produced by sap-feeding hemipterans, such as scale insects and aphids. It has been regarded predominantly as a food resource for predators and omnivores insects. Its potential role as a food source for pollinators, particularly bumble bees, remains underexplored. This study investigates the foraging of Bombus terrestris (L.) on honeydew secreted by Sphaerolecanium prunastri on Prunus cerasifera in a semi-natural environment. Field observations revealed that B. terrestris workers actively forage on honeydew. These findings indicate that B. terrestris is capable of utilizing honeydew as an alternative foraging resource. Additionally, our results suggest species-specific preferences for honeydew among bumble bee species, underscoring the complexity of plant-insect interactions. This is the first report of interaction between B. terrestris and S. prunastri , including the sugar composition of the honeydew and the associated foraging behavior. Understanding how pollinators adapt to alternative food sources like honeydew is essential for predicting their ecological resilience and guiding effective conservation strategies.

All known species of the diapriid genus Lepidopria Kieffer, 1911 are revised, keyed and illustrated. A new species, L. bicarinata Chemyreva & Ku, sp. nov. is described from South Korea. The diagnosis of the genus Lepidopria , as well as that of all described species, has been clarified. New data on the distribution of the species L. masneri Notton, 1994 and L. pedestris Kieffer, 1911 are provided. The association of L. masneri with the nests of Solenopsis japonica Wheeler, 1928 is reported and the biology of Lepidopria species is discussed. Taxonomic status of the mysterious L. aberrans Brues, 1916 is considered and a new combination, Bruesopria aberrans (Brues), comb. nov. , suggested.

Eastern Palaearctic Tetramopria are reviewed; the previously unknown female of T. turbinata is described; T. tortilis is newly recorded from Korea and T. turbinata is newly recorded from Japan; an updated key for all Palaearctic Tetramopria species is given. For both Eastern Palaearctic Tetramopria species we report observations of mating, and interactions between the wasps and their host ants.

Thirty-two family-group names and 161 genus-group names are listed for Scoliidae, including two fossil subfamilies and eight fossil genera, together with identification of type species and critiques of publication history. Campsomerinae was first made available in 1912. Contrary to previous usage, Argaman must be recognised as author of Bellimeris, Catharinimeris (not Cathimeris), Colpacampsomeris, Fasciomeris (not Fascimeris), Garantimeris, Lindenimeris, Phaleromeris (not Phalerimeris), Tetrasciton and Tristomeris. Tristomeris takes precedence as correct spelling over Tristimeris. A summary classification to genus level is provided for Scoliidae. Trielidinastat. nov. is recognised as a subtribe of Campsomerini.

The genus Anacharis Dalman, 1823 comprises parasitoid wasps that target early instars of brown lacewing larvae (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae). So far, five species were recognised from the Western Palaearctic region, of which four are reported from Northwestern Europe. In this study, we address the Northwestern European species diversity of the genus with an extended integrative taxonomy toolkit. A total of 700 specimens were examined for their external morphology, including the relevant type specimens. For 354 specimens, we obtained CO1 barcode sequences and applied three molecular species delimitation methods. All DNA barcode data are made publicly available via the German Barcode of Life (GBOL) and Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) database. In addition, we examined images of Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs), examined the male genitalia and performed multivariate morphometric analyses. The analyses revealed two clusters which we describe as the immunis and eucharioides species groups based on differences in DNA barcode, external morphology, WIPs and size of the male genitalia. Furthermore, we complement the diagnosis of the genus Anacharis and describe three new species, Anacharis martinae Vogel, Forshage & Peters, sp. nov., Anacharis maxima Vogel, Forshage & Peters, sp. nov. and Anacharis minima Vogel, Forshage & Peters, sp. nov. Finally, we synonymise A. fergussoni Mata-Casanova & Pujade-Villar, 2018, syn. nov. with A. eucharioides (Dalman, 1818), and we reinstate A. ensifer Walker, 1835, stat. rev., A. typica Walker, 1835, stat. rev. and A. petiolata Zetterstedt, 1838, stat. rev. as valid species. In total, we recognise nine Northwestern European species to which we provide an identification key. The species of Anacharis are morphologically very variable. Morphometric analyses alone did not provide information sufficient to delimit species, neither did analyses of WIPs and male genitalia, with few notable exceptions. Analyses of molecular sequence data proved crucially helpful to reliably delimit species and to find morphological diagnostic characters in a reverse taxonomy approach. For delimiting species groups, all included analyses proved helpful, and we show that exploring an extended integrative taxonomy toolkit can be beneficial for a comprehensive characterisation of species. We acknowledge that a complete overview of species distributions, and characterisation of ecological niches & host records is still required to deeply understand the genus as a whole, yet our results already allow broad access to and inclusion of Anacharis species in downstream biodiversity research.

Seven known extant species ofManicahave been identified worldwide:M. bradleyi(Wheeler, 1909),M. hunteri(Wheeler, 1914),M. invidiaBolton, 1995,M. parasitica(Creighton, 1934),M. rubida(Latreille, 1802),M. shanyiisp. nov., andM. yessensisAzuma, 1955. The discovery of the new species is documented from Sichuan Province, China, marking the first recorded instance of the genusManicain China. Additionally, an identification key for distinguishing the known species within the genusManicais provided.

Using CO1 sequence analysis, we investigated the relationships of Western Palearctic and Nearctic Cotesia that spin aggregated cocoons in the shape of a ball, and as adults are morphologically very similar. The analysis included the conceptual taxa C. tibialis, C. ofella, C. vanessae, C. ruficrus, C. xylina and C. yakutatensis, as well as the newly described species C. trivaliaesp. nov. The examined specimens of C. tibialis, C. ofella, C. vanessae, C. ruficrus and C. trivaliaesp. nov. were collected in several European countries, and C. xylina and C. yakutatensis in Canada and the USA. Molecular analyses showed that C. ruficrus is not closely related to the other studied taxa. Based on the genetic distances as well as biology and morphology, C. vanessae and C. ofella are confirmed as solid taxa. The species C. yakutatensis comprises two entities. Having 8 haplotypes, C. tibialis also emerges as a species complex, divided into two clusters. With 26 detected haplotypes, C. xylina shows the highest diversity, being composed of three segregates. The conceptual species C. tibialis, C. xylina and C. yakutatensis seem to be species complexes containing several candidates for recognition as distinct species. One from the European C. tibialis complex is here described as new, and the impediments to be overcome before the description of further species are outlined.

A new species of Uscanoidea Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Uscanoidea ricoi Viggiani, Gamboa & Pérez-Benavides, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The species is a solitary egg parasitoid of Monalonion dissimulatum Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae), the main insect pest on cocoa crops. An identification key for the described Uscanoidea species of the world is provided. The new species has a high potential for the biological control of the true bug M. dissimulatum in cocoa plantations in the Neotropical region.