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Mayetiola destructor (Say, 1817) originated in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East and is one of the most serious pests of wheat, rye and barley and more than 16 Poaceae wild species. Here, we report the occurrence of this species as an invasive pest for the first time in Iran. It was detected in wheat fields and rye in Qüshchï Pass, Urmia environ, West Azarbaijan province (September 2020) as well as in wheat fields in Bil-e Savar, Ardabil province (July 2024). The diagnostic characters and its life history as well as the photographs of the adult male and female, larvae, puparium, male genitalia and wing venation are provided. This is the second species from the genus Mayetiola that has been reported from Iran. To prevent the spread of this destructive pest in Iran, suitable management practices are urgently needed.

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Blow flies of the subfamily Calliphorinae (Dipt.: Calliphoridae) were studied in the East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces - Iran, during 2017-2018. Six species belonging to three genera were identified of which the genera Bellardia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863; Cynomya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and four species Bellardia pandia (Walker, 1849); Bellardia viarum (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830); Bellardia vulgaris (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) and Cynomya mortuorum (Linnaeus, 1761) are new records for the Iran insect fauna. A review of Iranian species of the subfamily Calliphorinae is provided.

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The fauna of the family Tachinidae (Diptera) was studied in the Haftad-Qolleh Protected Area, Markazi province, Iran. A total of 86 species belonging to 67 genera have been collected of which 46 species within 19 genera are newly recorded from Iran. The species Magripa persica Gilasian & Ziegler sp. nov. is described as new to science. Diagnostic characters for the newly recorded taxa are provided. Illustrations of the male terminalia and head of the new species as well as habitus images of the new records are presented.

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This paper presents new information on black fungus gnats (Sciaridae) based on field studies at seven localities in Iran. Five sciarid species from the genera Bradysia Winnertz, Corynoptera Winnertz and Lycoriella Frey were collected with Malaise traps, yellow sticky traps, sweep net and an aspirator between 2015 and 2021: Bradysia cellarum Frey, 1948; B. ocellaris (Comstock, 1882); B. tilicola (Loew, 1850); Corynoptera fatigans (Johannsen, 1912); Lycoriella sativae (Johannsen, 1912). All species are first records for the Sistan and Baluchestan province. Bradysia tilicola (Loew) is new to Iran and was recorded for the first time in the Middle East. This brings the number of known sciarid species from Iran to seven. For five species are given a short morphological diagnosis and the global distribution. A map illustrates the distribution of all identified sciarid species in Iran.

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Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata are two closely related species due to their similarity in morphology, habitat, distribution, and economic importance. Even though other methods have segregated the species, the aspect of comparative studies on geometric morphometrics and cuticular hydrocarbon composition in species variability is yet to be explored in these species. This study was conducted to assess variability between the two species and between the sexes. Wing shapes of 187 specimens of both species were analysed by geometric morphometric techniques. Landmarks 11, 10, 6 and 9, which corresponds to the intersection between the medial and the radial medial veins, medial and branched cubitus veins, distal end of radius vein (R2 + 3 vein) and curve point of medial vein, respectively, contributed significantly to the variability within and between species. Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of four randomly collected individuals each of male and female L. cuprina and L. sericata, were assessed using GC-MS. Octadecene, Celidoniol, Hexatriacontane, Tetracontane and Tetracontane were identified as common for both species. 9-Octadecenal(z) and Tetracosane-11-decyl being recorded as the most abundant hydrocarbons in male and female L. cuprina, and 13-methylheptacosane and Tetratetracontane in male and female L. sericata, respectively. Diagnostic characters indicating the variabilities can be used for the identification of the species.

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Six new species of the genus Eumerus Meigen, 1822 are here described from Iran. The new species and their four related groups are as follows: E. nadoosheni Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus barbarus group; E. pollinipedes Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus minotaurus group; E. effossus Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. and E. similis Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus obliquus group, as well as E. intermedius Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. and E. khiabani Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus ornatus group. In addition, the species E. argyropus Loew, 1848 and E. torsicus Grković & Vujić, 2015 are newly recorded from Iran. The illustrations of the male genitalia and images of the new species are provided.

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The gall midges, Janetiella convolvuli Mirumyan & Skuhravá, 2017 and Orseolia cynodontis Kieffer & Massalongo, 1902 are discovered in Iran for the first time based on adult specimens reared from galls on Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Persoon (Poaceae), respectively. The galls of J. convolvuli and O. cynodontis were previously recorded only in Armenia and European/African sections of the western part of the Palaearctic region, respectively. Some relevant diagnostic characters, photographs, ecological and biological notes, and distributional data for the newly recorded species are provided.

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An updated checklist of Iranian Syrphidae (Diptera: Syrphoidea) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. A total of 269 valid species in 70 genera among four subfamilies have been known from Iran, which is approximately 4.27 percent of the world’s total known Syrphidae. Among these, 145 species and 31 genera were added to the previous list. Of the 70 genera Eumerus Meigen (35 species, 13.01%) and Merodon Meigen (26 species, 9.67%), are the most specious, whereas 30 genera are represented in Iran by only one recorded species. The majority of Iranian hoverfly species are exclusively distributed in the Palaearctic region, while 21 species are known only from Iran and possibly endemic to the country.

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The fauna of the subfamily Exoristinae (Diptera, Tachinidae) was studied in northern Iran. A total of 29 species within 26 genera and 6 tribes have been collected and identified. Among them 11 genera and 15 species are newly recorded for Tachinidae fauna of Iran: Admontia blanda (Fallén, 1820), Bessa parallela (Meigen, 1824), Blepharipa pratensis (Meigen, 1824), Ceracia mucronifera Rondani, 1865, Exorista rustica (Fallen, 1810), Gonia ornata Meigen, 1826, Gonia vacua Meigen, 1826,  Medina collaris (Fallén, 1820), Paratryphera barbatula (Rondani, 1859), Neophryxe vallina (Rondani, 1861), Ocytata pallipes (Fallén, 1820), Pachystylum bremii Macquart, 1848, Pales pavida (Meigen, 1824), Phorinia aurifrons Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Platymyia fimbriata Meigen, 1824. The collected and distribution data, diagnoses, illustrations of the new records, and host information are provided.

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Minthodes oramanatae Gilasian & Ziegler sp. nov. is described as new to science from western province of Kermanshah, Iran. This species is separated from other Minthodes species by its shiny black abdomen, narrow frons, long postpedicel, presence of basal scutellar marginal setae, short petiole of wing cell r₄₊₅ and absence of marginal setae on abdominal tergite 2. Photographs of the male habitus and terminalia are given. The comparison of the morphological characters of M. oramanatae Gilasian & Ziegler sp. nov. with its closely related species M. atra (Kugler, 1971) and M. rossica (Mesnil, 1963) is provided. Photographs of the habitus and male terminalia of M. atra are presented for the first time. The identification key to the Iranian Minthodes species is provided.

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An updated checklist of the hoverflies including distribution and seasonal occurence data of known species in Nepal is presented. The list is based on all available published literature on taxonomy, biodiversity, ecology, and biological aspects of the syrphid fauna of Nepal up to 2023. A total of 205 species from three subfamilies and 63 genera are known to occur in Nepal. Among the three subfamilies, Eristalinae shares maximum species (111 species, 54%), followed by Syrphinae (90 species, 44%), and Microdontinae (four species, 2%). is presented. Among these, 48 (23%) species are recorded in Nepal only. The distribution of known hoverfly species in the country is not uniform, with the Bagmati (82 species) and Koshi (75 species) provinces having the greatest number of species, while the Madhesh (four species) and Lumbini (one species) provinces having the lowest records. The highest number of species are recorded in May (51 species), followed by July (50 species) and June (48 species). Winter season records are relatively low, and distribution data are still incomplete for some sites. Based on the present review, comprehensive and systematic sampling across the entire country is necessary for further exploration of Nepal's hoverfly fauna.

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This study was conducted in Van province, which is located in the eastern region of Türkiye. The study area is located in the Irano-Anatolian hotspot region, divided to the east and west by the Anatolian diagonal. Here, we demonstrate the diversity, distribution, and seasonality of horseflies. Malaise and water traps were used to collect adult horseflies. A total of 1026 specimens were collected and 52 species identified. Chrysops divaricatus Loew, 1858; Haematopota csikii Szilady, 1922; Haematopota pallidula (Krober, 1922) and Haematopota turkestanica (Krober, 1922) were recorded for the first time from Türkiye. The distribution and seasonality of the species were presented.

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The ecological aspects, distribution, and possible conservation of a syrphid hoverfly, Axona chalcopyga (Wiedemann, 1839) is poorly known due to their rare records. Three female individuals of A. chalcopyga were discovered in the Gelam forests of Terengganu state, which is the first record in Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we provided a pictorial description of the female. We also noted the functional role of the hoverfly as a potential pollinator candidate for the Gelam trees by visiting its flowers.

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Iranian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) include 73 species across eight genera. The fauna of mosquitoes in Guilan Province comprises 34 species classified into seven genera. A faunistic study of mosquitoes was conducted with emphasis on an aggressive biter mosquito reported by local people in Anzali and Rasht Cities of Guilan Province, northern Iran. Collections were made by hand catches using manual aspirators, light traps, BG lure traps and ovitraps during August–November 2023 in all 17 counties of the province. Species identification was carried out using morphological keys and molecular analysis of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. In total, 29 larvae and 896 adult specimens were collected which were not recognized as a species previously known to occur in the province. The aggressive biter mosquito was morphologically identified as Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895). The sequences of the barcode region of the COI gene of the species were generated for the first time in the country. This species was collected in 14 counties of the province. Thus, the mosquito fauna of Guilan Province increased to 35 species.

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The family Hybotidae (Insecta: Diptera, Empidoidea) is recorded for the first time from mangrove habitats in Iran (Hormozgan Province). Four species belonging to the subfamily Tachydromiinae have been found of which two species are recorded for the first time from the territory of Iran: Crossopalpus subaenescens Collin, 1960 (broadly distributed over the Middle East) and Elaphropeza feminata Shamshev & Grootaert 2007 (known only from mangroves of Singapore). In addition, E. feminata is newly recorded species for the Palaearctic Realm. Two species are described and illustrated as new to science: Drapetis hormozganiensis sp. nov. and Elaphropeza marduoensis sp. nov. The mangrove habitats in Iran do not consist of high hybotid species richness comparing with the high diversity of this family in mangroves of tropical areas. Morphologically, recorded species of Crossopalpus and Drapetis have the closest allies amongst the Palaearctic species. However, the species of Elaphropeza is closely related to the known Oriental species (primarily from Singapore).

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A survey of moth flies in mountainous and desert areas of Morocco revealed 20 species, five genera with 10 species which are recorded from the country for the first time, six of which (Atrichobrunettia (Mirousiella) graeca Ježek & Goutner, 1993, Lepiseodina rothschildi (Eaton, 1912), Mormia revisenda (Eaton, 1893), Pericoma (Pachypericoma) fallax Eaton, 1893, Pericoma (Pericoma) trifasciata (Meigen, 1804), and Psychoda (Chodopsycha) divaricata Duckhouse, 1968), alongside two genera, Atrichobrunettia Satchell, 1953 and Lepiseodina Enderlein, 1937), are new to North Africa. In addition, three species and one species are new to the Rif and the Beni Snassen mountains, respectively, seven species are cited for the first time in the Atlas region and one species is new to the Sahara region. Information on the habitats of the 20 species is provided. The survey increases the biodiversity of moth flies in Morocco to 37 species.

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The discovery of the Holarctic tachinid genus Solieria Robineau-Desvoidy, 1849, in Iran led to the identification of a new species to science, which is described here as Solieria variabilis sp. nov. It can be separated from other related species by the absence of discal setae on abdominal tergites, lack of proclinate and latero-reclinate orbital setae in the male, the width of frons, and by colouration and microtrichosity of abdomen. The comparison of the morphological characters of S. variabilis sp. nov. with its close relatives S. fenestrata (Meigen, 1824) and S. pacifica (Meigen, 1824) is provided. Photographic images of the habitus and head as well as illustrations of terminalia are given.

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Mosquitoes (Culicidae) are hematophagous insects that play a major role as vectors of diverse pathogens affecting human health. Understanding their distribution and diversity is essential for assessing pathogen risks and developing control strategies. This study investigated the Culicid fauna in the semi-humid region of northeastern Algeria (Annaba-El Tarf) over a period from October 2019 to July 2022. An entomological survey was conducted in natural and artificial larval habitats across rural and urban areas to account for factors influencing mosquito breeding capacity and distribution. Immature mosquitoes were collected and identified to assess species richness and abundance. A total of 5587 immature mosquitoes were collected from 111 positive larval habitats, representing four genera and nine species: Culex pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. hortensis, Culiseta longiareolata, Cs. annulata, Aedes caspius, Ae. geniculatus, Ae. albopictus, and Anopheles labranchiae. The genus Culex was the most prevalent, with Culex pipiens accounting for 63.25% of the total, followed by Culiseta longiareolata (23.41%). Species richness was lower in urban areas compared to rural areas, and natural larval habitats harboured more species than artificial ones. This study provides essential data on the distribution, abundance, and diversity of mosquito species in northeastern Algeria, contributing to understanding mosquito population dynamics and enabling better vector control and monitoring strategies, particularly in light of evolving human activities and climate change.

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Megaselia Rondani, 1856 is a megadiverse genus of scuttle flies, commonly found worldwide. This article reports on the recent discovery of 31 species of Megaselia newly recorded in Morocco, collected in various regions, including the Rif Mountain, the Atlantic Plain and the Atlas Mountains, covering numerous habitats, such as forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, riverbanks, springs, ponds, peat bogs, and lake with the purpose of assessing a wide variety of habitats and understanding the ecological preferences of Megaselia species. These new findings have increased the total of Moroccan phorid fauna to 45 species so far. Of these, 43 are Megaselia species.