Recent citizen science observations have documented the occurrence of the Asian mantid genus Odontomantis in Brazil, with records from the cities of Boa Vista (Roraima) and Manaus (Amazonas). This represents the first evidence of the genus in South America. All available data derive from photographic records provided by non-specialists, suggesting a recent introduction, although the introduction pathways and the role of human-mediated transport remain unknown. The presence of Odontomantis in urban environments raises questions regarding its ability to establish populations and its potential ecological effects. Urban habitats such as gardens, ornamental vegetation, and fragmented green areas may facilitate its persistence during early stages of colonization. Ecological similarities with native Neotropical mantids occupying comparable microhabitats suggest that interactions with local species could occur if the introduced populations expand beyond urban areas. The detection of Odontomantis in two geographically distant cities may indicate either multiple introduction events or early dispersal within Brazil. These findings highlight the importance of citizen science as an effective tool for detecting non-native invertebrates and underscore the need for continued monitoring to assess the distribution, habitat use, and potential ecological impact of Odontomantis in the Neotropics.

The Asian mantises Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera are known alien species rapidly spreading in the last few years in the Mediterranean and continental Europe, especially in urban and suburban habitats, although their invasive nature is debated. This study investigated the first set of impacts of these species on European ecosystems, measuring the prolificacy and reproductive potential with inferences on native mantises, the presence of positive and negative interactions with other species—both as prey and predators—and other peculiar behaviors leading to possible ecosystemic impacts. Laboratory data has shown high reproductive output, with H. tenuidentata hatching on average 209 nymphs per ootheca, about twice that of the native Mantis religiosa , and low cannibalism rates during first instars, supporting rapid and competitive population growth. Behavioral tests revealed reproductive interference: M. religiosa males are attracted to Hierodula females and are therefore preyed upon, a “fatal attraction” that may reduce mating success in native species. A large set of citizen science reports (over 2,300 records) document Hierodula predation on a wide range of native species, from pollinators to small vertebrates often protected by EU legislation, such as Podarcis muralis and Hyla perrini . Hierodula mantises show trophic generalism, preying on a wide range of insect taxa and occasionally competing with native mantises or even hornets, revealed to be their main natural predators. Their use of human-modified environments and artificial refuges highlights their adaptability. The different impacts recorded and measured here are discussed within the IUCN criteria for invasive species, confirming the Hierodula in Europe as invasive alien species.

The scolopidial accessory organ is a relatively small and compact chordotonal organ consisting of mechanosensory scolopidial sensilla. The accessory organ is placed in the tibia next to the larger subgenual organ in several Orthoptera. In other orthopteroid insects, the accessory organ detects substrate vibrations in low frequency ranges. Among Tettigonioidea katydids or bush-crickets, the accessory organ has been described so far in only a few species. The peripheral nerve pattern for the two chordotonal organs usually includes two separate nerve branches for each sensory organ. Within the Phaneropterinae (leaf katydids or sickle-bearing bush-crickets), some differences occur as the accessory organ can share a single nerve branch with the subgenual organ. Here, the accessory organ in two phaneropterine species of the East African genus Gonatoxia , G. immaculata Karsch, 1889, and G. helleri Hemp, 2016, is investigated. The aim is to document the accessory organ and its nerve pattern for further tettigonioid species and to provide a first report for species from the Holochlorini. The accessory organ was present in both species in all leg pairs. The number of sensilla was 5–12. The sensillum numbers were slightly lower in G. helleri than in G. immaculata . The accessory organ has a nerve branch that is separate from the nerve branch for the posterior subgenual organ. This neuroanatomy, including the nerve pattern, is similar to most other tettigonioids. The findings support the occurrence of the accessory organ among the different subgroups of Phaneropterinae, and in Tettigonioidea at large, and raise the possibility of behaviorally relevant vibrational inputs.

Recent years have seen the arrival of many non-native species of praying mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) around the globe. These introductions are thought to be either accidental, aided by human transport and decorative plants, or a result of expansion of their natural distribution range. The Crimean Peninsula is especially affected by the arrival and colonization of invasive insect species, most of which have no specialized natural enemies. Here, the first findings of the European dwarf mantis ( Ameles spallanzania ) in the Crimean Peninsula are reported. The species was likely introduced with Savin juniper ( Juniperus sabina ) plants and was found in a city park and on a private lot in Sevastopol. A morphological comparison of this alien species with the native A. heldreichi is presented, while a molecular investigation of available COI barcodes of A. spallanzania suggests the most likely origin of introduction is the Mani Peninsula, Greece. Both morphological and genetic evidence can be used for the rapid identification of Ameles species in Crimea and for further monitoring of the impact and potential disturbances caused by introduced populations of A. spallanzania on the native ecosystem. No strong molecular support for the subspecific division of A. heldreichi was found.

Herein, we describe the genus Dentotibiumgen. nov. and the species D. ramucantorissp. nov, a toothed foretibia katydid within the subfamily Pseudophyllinae from Colombia. This new katydid is a forest dweller inhabiting oak woodlands between 1600 and 2300 m above sea level, only found in the western slopes of the Eastern Andes of Boyacá Department, Colombia. This new species burrows in woody branches and shows big heads in both sexes. The appearance of Dentotibiumgen. nov. is similar to that of Trichotettix Stål, 1873 but differs in having tubercles over the dorsal margin of the foretibiae. It is also close to Nastonotus Bolívar, 1890, but differs from in lacking the three black stripes in the vertex and having a less marked frontal suture and smoother face. Males sing all night long, and their calling song consists of periodic syllables with three differentiable phases. Seasonal calling activity lowers remarkably during the dry season (Jun–Aug). DNA barcoding sequences for the paratypes made available in a previous study are included here.

This study investigates the variations in body size, bioacoustic traits, and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles in different populations of the bush cricket species Isophya autumnalis Karabağ, 1962. Within-population body size variations, particularly those associated with distinct habitat differences and climate shifts within their local distribution ranges, suggest that ecological factors affect morphological characteristics. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in I. autumnalis may affect reproductive behavior and strategies, potentially influenced by the bioacoustic environment. While male calling songs exhibit temporal variations across populations, suggesting differences among allopatric populations, CHC profiles, known to undergo selection under various climatic conditions, also vary noticeably across local populations. These findings highlight the importance of understanding within-species variations for the conservation of Isophya and similar taxa in the face of habitat threats. Overall, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how morphology and bioacoustic behavioral traits are shaped over short distances in allopatric populations of species with limited mobility, such as I. autumnalis, providing insights into adaptation processes and highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts for endemic species in Anatolia.

In central Japan, adult Patanga japonica (Bolívar) grasshoppers overwinter as adults while in reproductive diapause. At this local, February nights fall as low as -7°C, whereas days can exceed 16°C. Adults respond to the diel thermal cycle with daily vertical movements out of and back into leaf litter. This paper documents and discusses the significance of this interesting winter behavior. Temperature strongly influenced the daily vertical movements. Time of morning emergence, duration of aboveground occupancy, and number of adults emerging all highly correlated with current and maximum daily temperatures. In January, adults were immobile at < -1°C but could stand up when their body temperatures reached ~3.7°C. In contrast, adults held outdoors in semi-natural conditions emerged from the litter at ~14°C, suggesting threshold temperatures of ~14°C for morning emergence. The numbers of adults emerging or hiding varied over the winter season. Light also influenced movements. Adults held in horizontal transparent tubes, each with half covered with black paper (D-area) and the other half exposed to light (L-area), moved into the L-area during the day and returned to the D-area in the afternoon. In both cases, movement was into a colder microhabitat, implying that the direction of daily movements was possibly via phototaxis, not thermotaxis. Further experiments suggested that increasing temperatures elicited positive phototaxis, and decreasing temperatures elicited negative phototaxis and that the phototaxis was controlled by the direction, magnitude, and absolute range of the temperature change in P. japonica.

Eupholidoptera kekropssp. nov. belonging to the E. prasina group, is described from mainland Greece. The new species is the first known member of this group from mainland Greece and mainland Europe. Differentiating morphological characteristics, mainly of the subgenital plate and titilator, are presented.

Extant pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) that possess wings have the forewings reduced into scale-like tegmenula, while hind wings remain fully developed. Rusmithia gorochovigen. et sp. nov. (Tetrigidae, Batrachideinae, Rusmithinitrib. nov.) is described based on a single adult female holotype from Lithuanian Baltic amber, from the Bartonian-Priabonian age, some 40 million years ago, and this is the only known tetrigid in which tegmenula or tegmina (the forewings) extend as far as half the length of the hind femur. Besides this very unique trait, other characters of Rusmithiagen. nov. indicate similarity with extant and especially fossil Batrachideinae (genus Danatettix Thomas, Skejo & Heads, 2019). Because of the strong differences this genus and Danatettix have with American Batrachideinae, they are assigned to a new tribe, European Batrachideinae or Rusmithinitrib. nov.Acrydium bachofeni (Zeuner, 1937) might belong to this or a sibling genus based on its very long tegmenula or Succinotettix chopardi Piton, 1938, based on its 19-segmented antennae; neither species is tranferred as their types could not be examined.

Bostra Stål (Phasmida, Diapheromeridae) is a junior homonym of Bostra Walker (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). The replacement name Bostranova Villet nomen nov. is proposed for Bostra Stål, and new combinations are proposed for the species-group names currently included in that phasmid genus.