Tarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Additions to the aphid (Hemiptera, Aphididae) fauna of Iran: three new records and their taxonomic significance2032122822110.48311/jibs.12.02.203ENMohsenMehrparvarDepartment of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences
Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran0000-0002-6051-5845Journal Article20251002Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) represent a diverse group of sap-feeding insects of considerable ecological and economic importance. The Iranian aphid fauna has been the subject of numerous studies, yet new records continue to emerge due to the country’s diverse climates and habitats. In the present study, three aphid species are recorded from Iran for the first time: Brachyunguis calotropicus Menon & Pawar, 1958, Dysaphis atina Ghosh, Basu & Raychaudhuri, 1969, and Metopolophium montanum Hille Ris Lambers, 1966. Detailed morphological characteristics, host plant associations, and biometric data are provided for each species. A redescription of B. calotropicus is presented based on Iranian material, clarifying its morphological features. For M. montanum, the biometric data of the Iranian population extend the ranges in the original description, and an amendment to the “Key to apterae on Rosa” in Aphids on the World’s Plants is proposed. With these additions, the number of aphid species recorded from Iran increases from 576 to 579, further highlighting the underexplored diversity of the Iranian aphid fauna and the importance of continued faunistic and taxonomic research.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28221_2752a6fc31927efaf4ff9f54b1c769cb.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Global distribution of the genus Diomus Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with new findings from the Middle East2132322822710.48311/jibs.12.02.213ENAmirBiranvandDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran.0000-0001-9953-064XFatemehRomasiDepartment of Plant Protection, Campus of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, IranNaserMoeini NaghadehDepartment of Plant Protection, Campus of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.FarzadJalilianAgricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Kermanshah, AREEO, Kermanshah, Iran.RomainNattierInstitut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, Paris, FranceJaroslavVětrovecBuzulucká 1105, Hradec Králové 500 03, Czech RepublicGuillermoGonzálezSociedad Chilena de Entomología, Santiago, ChileOldřichNedvědFaculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic0000-0001-9932-3456Journal Article20250909A comprehensive worldwide list of 425 species of the ladybird genus Diomus Mulsant, 1850, is provided, together with the number of countries occupied by each species in the major biogeographical regions. Thirteen of the species formally assigned to the genus must be confirmed. Also, records of Diomus species occurring in the Middle East are documented, and the genus Diomus is reported from Oman for the first time, based on a female specimen of an undetermined species. Findings exclude previous reports of D. rubidus (Motschulsky, 1837) from Turkey and D. anemicus Fürsch, 1960 from Palestine. We provide a distribution map of Diomus species in the Middle East and present morphological and morphometric characters based on light and electron microscopy. Finally, we propose the replacement name Diomus stajerovae González and Větrovec, nom. nov., for D. panamensis González and Větrovec, 2021, which is a junior homonym of D. panamensis Gorham, 1897.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28227_2cfdbddf1acf5da263a3c43ab7b9f371.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Discovery and host association of Brachymeria apicicornis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) parasitizing Cassida obtusata Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Amaranthus in the Thar Desert, India2332412822210.48311/jibs.12.02.233ENSUSHAMAV.Desert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur-342 005, Rajasthan, India0009-0000-3108-0347BINOYCZoological Survey of India
Marine Aquarium and Regionaal Centre, Digha, West Bengal0000-0003-4309-5460SONALYADAVDesert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur-342 005, Rajasthan, India0009-0005-8014-0058INDUSHARMADesert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur-342 005, Rajasthan, IndiaJournal Article20251207The Thar Desert of northwestern India harbours underdocumented parasitoid–host interactions and unique ecological interactions often overlooked due to its arid landscapes. Here, we report the first confirmed host association of Brachymeria apicicornis (Cameron, 1911) (Chalcididae: Brachymeriinae) as a pupal parasitoid of Cassida obtusata Boheman, 1854 (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) feeding on Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats (Amaranthaceae) in Rajasthan, India. Solitarily emerged adult parasitoids from five individually isolated pupae establish a pupal idiobiontic parasitoidism on the cassidine host. Species identity is corroborated through a diagnostic redescription. The present study also provides a structured evidence framework encompassing rearing isolation, emergence chronology, exit-hole morphology and position, and host pupal phenotype. Broader implications on ecological dynamics in arid landscapes are also discussed.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28222_9764334fc73c4790fa6f10e67a8d35cd.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601A review of the genus Besseria Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Iran, with description of a new species2432542822310.48311/jibs.12.02.243ENEbrahimGilasianIranian Research Institute of Plant Protection0000-0002-8760-870XJoachimZieglerMuseum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.0000-0002-9376-2375Journal Article20251215The genus <em>Besseria </em>Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 with 15 described species (Tachinidae: Phasiinae) is distributed in the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and Afrotropical Regions. A new species, <em>Besseria macrocerca </em><strong>sp. nov.</strong>, is described from the western and southern regions of Iran. This species is diagnosed and illustrated based on both male and female specimens, with particular emphasis on distinctive morphological characters and male terminalia, notably the elongated cerci. An updated key to the Palaearctic <em>Besseria </em>species with a stalked r4+5 wing cell is provided, along with a key to three species of the genus known from Iran. Distributional data and revised records of previously known Iranian species are also presented. Previous records from the country include only two confirmed species, with some doubtful identifications. This study significantly improves knowledge of <em>Besseria </em>diversity in Iran, confirming the presence of three valid species in the country.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28223_1e051a5c9bd08c027eb09b522c26ba88.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Seven species in seven days: new additions to the ant fauna (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Lebanon2552682822410.48311/jibs.12.02.255ENEnricoSchifaniInstitute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC - Pompeu Fabra University), Barcelona, Spain0000-0003-0684-6229MarkMassaadDepartment of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy0000-0002-9290-3666Journal Article20251213Lebanon is expected to be among the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean. The latest ant checklist of the country, counting 110 taxa, was published in 2014. Here we record seven species to be added to the Lebanese checklist, belonging to five genera from the Formicinae, Myrmicinae, and Ponerinae subfamilies. Four are considered natives [Hypoponera eduardi (Forel, 1894), Lasius illyricus Zimmermann, 1935, Lasius israelicus Seifert, 2020, and Trichomyrmex perplexus (Radchenko, 1997)] and three non-native species [Pheidole indica Mayr, 1879, Pheidole parva Mayr, 1865, and Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)]. The record of L. illyricus represents the first from the Levant, while the recently described L. israelicus likely has a much wider distribution in the region than its formal name suggests. None of the non-native species is considered invasive. The new discoveries, attained with a relatively limited sampling effort during seven days, highlight the need for further studies to describe the Lebanese ant fauna.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28224_d917e680c14c6fcd74d08c935436f1b5.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Patterns of beetle (Coleoptera) diversity in arid environments of Margarita Island, Venezuela2692852822810.48311/jibs.12.02.269ENVirginiaSanzCentro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Miranda state, Venezuela0000-0003-2840-4691GénesisYánesCentro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Miranda state, Venezuela0009-0004-1230-1369WilberBernay-AlfonzoCentro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Miranda state, Venezuela0000-0002-6443-2166AbimelMorenoCentro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Miranda state, Venezuela; Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Campus Lircay, Talca, Chile; Museo del Instituto de Zoología Agrícola “Francisco Fernández Yépez”, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela0000-0002-7516-6115Journal Article20260213Measuring biodiversity remains a fundamental yet challenging issue in conservation biology. Drylands, major components of terrestrial biomes, are particularly susceptible to desertification due to climate change and human activities. In Venezuela, the highly threatened arid ecosystems of Margarita Island harbor unique biodiversity, yet beetle diversity remains poorly known, despite the value of beetles as models to guide conservation actions. Most beetle diversity and ecological studies in arid and semiarid ecosystems worldwide focus on ground-dwelling beetles. Therefore, beetle diversity in the arid environments of Margarita Island was assessed using three methods: pitfall trapping, yellow pan traps, and beating. The diversity patterns recorded for each sampling technique were compared in a one-year survey from May 2012 to April 2013, including dry and rainy seasons. Asymptotic species richness estimation was used to assess beetle richness at the study site. Coverage-based rarefaction curves and generalized linear mixed models were employed to compare variations in richness, abundance, and Shannon-Wiener diversity between methods and seasons. Compositional differences in assemblages were also assessed using multivariate methods. Some 152 species were found, and asymptotic richness was 185 species. Previous work listed 21 species of Tenebrionidae. We recorded 16 tenebrionids, of which 6 are new for the island. Eufallia seminivea (Motschulsky, 1866) (Latridiidae), Hyperaspis octomaculata (González, 2024), and the genera Zilus (Mulsant, 1850), Tiphysa (Mulsant, 1850) (Coccinellidae), Trichodesma (LeConte, 1861) (Anobiidae), and Neolitochrus (Gimmel, 2013) (Phalacridae) are recorded for the first time in Venezuela. Yellow-pan traps and beating showed the highest estimations of species diversity, highlighting the important contribution of vegetation-dwelling beetles to arid ecosystem diversity despite inherent methodological constraints.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28228_90f0b00fd44ae507b39ff6d87e26f2b2.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601On the Myriapoda fauna (Chilopoda, Diplopoda) of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijan)2873012824210.48311/jibs.12.02.287ENYurii V.DyachkovAltai State University, 61 Lenina Ave., Barnaul 656049, Russia; Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia0000-0001-9256-9306RomanZuevNorth-Caucasus Federal University, Pushkina Str. 1, Stavropol 355017 Russia0000-0001-9909-6812NatalySnegovayaInstitute of Zoology, Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan (IZB), A. Abbaszade st. 115, pr. 1128, bl. 504, Az 1004, Baku, Azerbaijan; Western Caspian University, 31 Istiglaliyyat Str., Baku, Azerbaijan0000-0001-6060-6491IsmaiylMammadovNakhchivan State University, University Campus, Nakhchivan, AZ 7012, Azerbaijan; Institute of Bioresources (Nakhchivan), Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, 32 M.F. Akhundov str., AZ 7000, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan0009-0005-4796-1882Journal Article20260103The myriapod fauna of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijan) comprises at least 20 species: 12 species from eight genera, seven families, and three orders of Chilopoda, and eight species from eight genera, five families, and three orders of Diplopoda. Family Henicopidae Pocock, 1901, genus Lamyctes Meinert, 1868, and the species L. emarginatus (Newport, 1844) (Chilopoda) and Syrioiulus armeniacus Evsyukov, Golovatch, Antić, 2021 (Diplopoda) are newly recorded for the fauna of Azerbaijan. Lithobius erythrocephalus cronebergii Sseliwanoff, 1881, Omobrachyiulus caucasicus (Karsch, 1881), Syrioiulus armeniacus Evsyukov, Golovatch, Antić, 2021, and Brachydesmus kalischewskyi Lignau, 1915 are illustrated; the remarkable intraspecific variability of Cryptops caucasius Verhoeff, 1934 and Lithobius cf. coloratus Sseliwanoff, 1881 is described and illustrated. The history of studies on the Myriapoda of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is also summarized.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28242_3cc4f07c92a240dd56dcdebf58161f58.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Arthropod biodiversity in apple orchards: the influence of hedgerows and landscape heterogeneity on community structure and ecosystem services in Medea (Algeria)3033282824410.48311/jibs.12.02.303ENRachidKermezliLaboratory for Valorization and Conservation of Biological Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University M’Hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria0009-0001-5537-4259Fatima ZohraBissaadBioinformatics, Applied Microbiology and Biomolecules Laboratory, Sciences Faculty, M'hamed Bougara University, Algeria0000-0001-5387-0243FaridBounaceurConservation Biology Research Team, Agronomy and Environment Laboratory, Institute of Natural and Life Sciences, Tissemsilt University, Algeria0000-0001-9586-0465MarnicheFaizaNational Veterinary School (ENSV) El Alia, Algiers. Research Laboratory for the Management of Local Animal Resources (GRAL), National Higher School of Veterinary Science, Algiers, Algeria0000-0002-3309-4811Journal Article20250928This study investigates the role of hedgerows and landscape heterogeneity in supporting arthropod biodiversity within apple orchards in the Médéa region of Algeria. Comparing two contrasting orchard systems—one extensive with structural elements (Si El Mahdjoub) and one intensive without (Benchicao)—arthropod communities were sampled over a full annual cycle using pitfall traps, colored sticky traps, and sweep netting. A total of 251 arthropod taxa were recorded across both sites. Si El Mahdjoub exhibited significantly higher species richness (229 species vs. 184) and total abundance (4,351 vs. 3,183 individuals) compared to Benchicao. Despite similar overall species counts, Si El Mahdjoub showed greater taxonomic diversity with more even species distribution and higher effective diversity (Shannon H’ and Simpson indices). The site with hedgerows supported a more functionally diverse arthropod assemblage, with higher numbers of predators (786 vs. 434) and parasites (530 vs. 482), while Benchicao was dominated by phytophagous species. Plant-arthropod richness correlation was strongly positive at Si El Mahdjoub (r = 0.97, p = 0.026) but negative at Benchicao (r = -0.66, p = 0.54). Seasonal analysis revealed that summer harbored the highest number of unique taxa (22.3%), with spring-summer overlap being most significant (32.3% shared taxa). Ordination analysis showed seasonality as the primary driver of community structure, with winter-autumn communities clustering separately from spring-summer assemblages. These findings underscore the ecological value of hedgerows and structural complexity in agricultural landscapes. Hedgerows enhance both taxonomic and functional arthropod diversity, contributing to ecosystem services such as biological pest control. The results support the resource heterogeneity hypothesis and highlight the importance of agroecological infrastructures for sustainable biodiversity management in orchard systems.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28244_d6c4516dce9459a651944de3729e7427.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Remarks on the genera Sphaerotarsus Womersley, 1936 and Hirstiosoma Womersley, 1934 (Acari: Smarididae), with a new distributional record of Hirstiosoma latreillei (Grandjean, 1947) from northern Iran3293382824810.48311/jibs.12.02.329ENMasoudHakimitabarDepartment of Horticulture and Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran0000-0002-0161-7008MiladDavariDepartment of Horticulture and Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran0000-0001-5745-7114Journal Article20250815In this study, we provide a larval stage redefinition of the two genera Hirstiosoma and Sphaerotarsus (Trombidiformes: Smarididae) and new data on the larva of Hirstiosoma latreillei (Grandjean, 1947) collected from the soil and leaf litter of a section of the Hyrcanian forests near the Tilek village, Sari County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Prior to this study, a single specimen of H. latreillei was collected from Asalem city in Guilan Province, Iran. The considerable distance between the previous sampling site and the collection locality in the present study suggests that H. latreillei is likely distributed not only across the forests of the northern Alborz Mountains in Iran but also in adjacent countries situated between Iran and Europe, such as Türkiye. Furthermore, given the altitudinal range of the collection sites in Gijav village, Asalem city, Guilan Province, and the current study, as well as those reported from European localities, it can be inferred that the occurrence of this species is not altitude–dependent. Collecting the larval host of this species may provide critical insights into its host specificity and broader geographic distribution. A revised version of the identification key to smaridid genera is presented here, incorporating updated definitions for the genera Sphaerotarsus and Hirstiosoma. In addition, a key to the larval species of Hirstiosoma worldwide is provided.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28248_186908a1f2edf1e054b8c9fb59c08058.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601New contribution to the Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Vashlovani National Park, Georgia (Sakartvelo), with description of two new species3393582826810.48311/jibs.12.02.339ENMatthiasRiedelBlumenlage 22 C
D-29683 Bad Fallingbostel, Germany0000-0001-5747-1223GeorgeJaposhviliInstitute of Entomology, Agricultural University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia0000-0002-9901-4554Journal Article20260127During a faunistic and taxonomic survey of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) in Vashlovani National Park, eastern Georgia (Sakartvelo), material collected mainly using Malaise traps was examined. As a result, 127 species belonging to 18 ichneumonid subfamilies were identified, including 30 species recorded for the first time from Georgia and 25 species newly recorded from the Caucasus region. In addition, two new species: Phaenolobus longiterebra Riedel sp. n. and Tycherus parastipator Riedel sp. n. are described based on diagnostic morphological characters. This contribution increases knowledge of the ichneumonid fauna of Vashlovani National Park, Georgia, and the Caucasus, and highlights the importance of the semi–arid and steppe ecosystems of eastern Georgia for parasitoid wasp diversity.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28268_c73151b0d36ad644d5f57c87ae8c05e3.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Arthropod diversity in Iran: Class Insecta – Polyneoptera, part I. Blattodea Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882, Mantodea Burmeister, 1838, and Phasmatodea Jacobson & Bianchi, 19023593962826910.48311/jibs.12.02.359ENZohrehMirzaeeSenckenberg German Entomological Institute, Eberswalder Str. 90, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany0009-0007-8827-0791ThiesBüscherFunctional Morphology and Biomechanics, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, 24118 Kiel, Germany0000-0003-0639-4699DominicEvangelista465 Morrill Hall, 505 S Goodwin Ave., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: Urbana, Illinois, US 618010000-0003-3910-5099PaulEggletonSoil Biodiversity Group, Department of Entomology,The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK0000-0002-1420-7518LeonidAnisyutkinLaboratory of Insect Systematics, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab., 1, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia0000-0002-7587-9078FrédéricLegendreInstitut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (UMR 7205), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE-PSL, UA, Paris F-75005, France0000-0001-5900-8048Journal Article20251011This work presents a comprehensive review of the insect orders Mantodea (praying mantises), Blattodea (cockroaches and termites), and Phasmatodea (stick insects) in Iran, based on literature, national checklists, and global taxonomic databases to develop an up-to-date faunistic inventory. Following the most recent accepted classifications, the review documents a total of three orders, 20 families, 44 genera, and 104 species. This includes 9 families and 19 genera, and 33 species of Mantodea, 10 families and 23 genera, and 65 species of Blattodea (including termites), and one family with two genera and 5 species of Phasmatodea. Among these groups, Mantodea is the most thoroughly documented, while Phasmatodea remains poorly studied, with only five species recorded to date. Integrating up-to-date taxonomic data is essential for resolving inconsistencies in older or unverified records and establishing a reliable baseline for biogeographical analysis, conservation planning, and the management of both native and invasive species. Especially for Phasmatodea, it is clear that the taxonomy of the Iranian fauna needs further study, both to reveal still undocumented diversity and to clarify the higher‑level placement of the lineages occurring in Iran. Continued field surveys and integrative taxonomic research are crucial for fully documenting the diversity of these insect groups across Iran’s varied habitats.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28269_fe09c5740705ed9dc0e9987c2e107ad5.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Additional data on morphology of Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) with the new key for the genus3974062837010.48311/jibs.12.02.397ENAleksandraYatsukA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninskiy Av., Moscow, 119071, RussiaAlexandrMatyukhinA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninskiy Av., Moscow, 119071, RussiaEmiliaNartshukZoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya emb. 1, Saint Petersburg, 199034, RussiaJournal Article20260216The flies from the family Hippoboscidae (Diptera) are specialized hematophagous ectoparasites and transmit many dangerous diseases. The genus Lipoptena Nitzsch, 1818 is a group of keds, parasitic mainly on Bovidae and Cervidae. It includes 27 species and is divided into two groups. The main difference between them is the degree of pulvilli reduction. At present, the classification of morphological groups within Lipoptena requires clarification. One of the Lipoptena species – L. paradoxa Newstead, 1907 – is a common parasite of a number of antelopes and is widely spread over Africa south of the Sahara. Despite the widespread study of this species, the classical description of its morphology, allowing its identification and comparison with modern studies, remains insufficient. Identification is also complicated by the lack of complete drawings. Our results demonstrate that the previously identified "capreoli" group has proven to be a composite. Accordingly, the species L. annalizeae Visagie, 1992, L. binocula (Speiser, 1908), L. iniqua Maa, 1969, L. paradoxa, and L. sepiacea Speiser, 1905 can be separated from it into a species group “echestypus” based on the fact that, unlike other species of the genus, their ocelli are absent, and their antennae are extremely small. Discrepancies with literature data on L. paradoxa morphology have been clarified.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28370_414c073ee1379bd7bc7b332159cab1e6.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601A new species of the genus Sclerocardius Schoenherr, 1847 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from Thailand4074132838710.48311/jibs.12.02.407ENAndreiLegalovInstitute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Frunze street-11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; Tomsk State University, Prospekt Lenina, 36, Tomsk 634050, Russia; Samarkand State Pedagogical Institute, 166 Spitamen St., Samarkand 140102, Uzbekistan.0000-0001-7347-8169Vitaly GBezborodovAmur Branch of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ignatievskoe Shosse 2-d km, Blagoveshchensk 675000 Russia0000-0003-1970-2048Journal Article20260219A new species, Sclerocardius lyali sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. The new species is close to Sclerocardius indicus Hartmann, 1903, but differs in the body covered with short setiform yellowish and pale scales, the postero-ventral side of the protibia lacking teeth, a pronotum with quite large punctation, and a narrower aedeagus. This is the first record of Sclerocardius Schoenherr, 1847, from Thailand. A key to Asian species of the genus Sclerocardius is also given.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28387_6806c6ea50ea2de3df70f5451156cd06.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Two new firefly species of the genus Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India4154292853010.48311/jibs.12.02.415ENEmma MagdaleneNonglangDepartment of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University, Sonapur, Assam, India0009-0002-9375-257XChandana DammikaWijekoonDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri LankaMemorial MRyndongDepartment of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University, Sonapur, Assam, India0009-0005-2628-793XDhiraj KumarDasDepartment of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University, Sonapur, Assam, India0009-0008-2778-5377SamratSenguptaDepartment of Zoology, Debraj Roy College (Autonomous), Golaghat, Assam, India0000-0002-1987-749XJane WanryShangpliangDepartment of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University, Sonapur, Assam, India0009-0006-1854-9749Journal Article20251125Two new Diaphanes Motschulsky 1853 species, D. meghalayanus Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., and D. mawlynnong Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., from Meghalaya, Northeast India, are described. Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov., is characterised by a unique colour pattern of the central disc, the absence of a typical circular pronotal areolet area, brownish-yellow pronotum and elytra, and other specific features of male genitalia. Diaphanes mawlynnong sp. nov., is distinct with rare moniliform antennae, circular-shaped pronotal areolet areas with blunt posterior lateral corners, and specific genital aedeagus characters. The female of D. mawlynnong sp. nov., which is apterous, was found in the same habitat where its males were associated. 13 Diaphanes species have been recorded from India, and with the discovery of these two new species, the number of Diaphanes species recorded in the country increases to 15. This knowledge significantly contributes to the existing information gap of Diaphanes diversity and distribution in this region.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28530_b96f94574298ff170b3fe1bfc2513f55.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics2423-811212220260601Comparative performance of pitfall, ramp, and tube traps for sampling arthropods in an arid region of southeastern Iran4314442855410.48311/jibs.12.02.431ENMasoumehEnayatniaDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran.0009-0006-6102-1018AliMirshekarDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran.0000-0001-7571-8576AlirezaZamaniZoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, FI-20014 University of Turku, Turku 20500, Finland.0000-0002-8084-9666SaraRamroodiDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran.0000-0003-3039-2618Journal Article20260202Pitfall traps are widely used for collecting ground-dwelling arthropods, with ramp and tube traps serving as complementary options. This study compares the performance of these three trap types in an arid environment in southeastern Iran. Fieldwork was conducted in spring 2025 across three active orchards in the Sistan region. Six replicates of each trap type (18 total) were deployed along three paired transects. Most adult spiders were identified to the species level, while most other arthropods were identified to the family level. A total of 14,960 individuals representing 12 orders and 52 families were collected. Tube traps captured the most specimens (n = 7,706), outperforming the other trap types across the majority of taxonomic groups, including Isopoda, Coleoptera, and Araneae. Pitfall traps yielded intermediate catches (n = 5,343) and performed comparably to tube traps for several groups, such as Gnaphosidae and Formicidae, while capturing more individuals of Opiliones than the other two trap types combined. Ramp traps collected the fewest individuals (n = 1,911) but captured the highest numbers of Pompilidae and Gryllotalpidae, and, together with pitfall traps, collected several spider species that were under-represented or absent in tube trap samples. Overall, tube traps represent a practical option for sampling epigeal arthropods in arid environments. However, to achieve a more comprehensive community sample and reduce methodological bias, a combination of all three trap types is recommended for biodiversity assessments in desert ecosystems.https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28554_123f7670babac5a92883d9a7afb4262e.pdf