Ramiplectrus catiensis, a new genus and a new species with branched male antennae and long metatibial spurs from Vietnam (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Ramiplectrus catiensis gen. et sp. n. is characterized by the unique combination of two long metatibial spurs and a short ramus on the two first funicular segments. Phylogenetic analysis of 28SrRNA sequences, along with the distinct morphological features, supports the classification of the new genus within the tribe Eulophini. TÓM TẮTMột chi mới và một loài ong ký sinh mới Ramiplectrus catiensis được đặc trưng bởi sự kết hợp độc đáo của hai cựa xương chày dài và một nhánh ngắn trên hai đoạn râu đầu tiên. Phân tích phát sinh loài của trình tự 28S rRNA, cùng với các đặc điểm hình thái riêng biệt, hỗ trợ việc phân loại chi mới trong tông Eulophini.TỪ KHÓA: Đa dạng sinh học, chi mới, loài mới, khóa nhận dạng, ong ký sinh, hệ thống học, Đông Nam Á, Việt Nam, Tỉnh Đồng Nai, Vườn quốc gia Cát Tiên. To cite: Yefremova, Z.A. & Feldstein-Farkash, T. 2025. Ramiplectrus catiensis, a new genus and a new species with branched male antennae and long metatibial spurs from Vietnam (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 7–19. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15182960urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:745CA2B4-91F8-4412-ADCC-C68429746AE

The White Emperor Helcyra hemina Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), a new addition to the lepidopteran fauna of Northeastern India

Helcyra hemina Hewitson, 1864 (Nymphalidae: Limenitidini), commonly known as the White Emperor, a rare species occurring at high altitudes in northeastern Himalayas, is hereby recorded from Arunachal Pradesh, India, thus filling a critical gap in its known distribution.  To cite: Upadhaya, R. & Sheikh, T. 2025. The White Emperor Helcyra hemina Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), a new addition to the lepidopteran fauna of Northeastern India. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 5–6. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14982560urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EFAD9F9D-7357-453A-8591-0D2B2BD07E2

Purple Bush-Bean Macroptilium atropurpureum (Fabaceae): a new larval host plant for Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in South Asia

Purple Bush-Bean Macroptilium atropurpureum, an introduced perennial legume, native to the Americas, is recorded here as a new host plant for the common South Asian Lycaenid Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) in India. Butterflies were observed laying eggs on the new flower buds, and caterpillars feeding on flower buds and leaves of Macroptilium atropurpureum.  To cite: Payra, A.,Philip, J.G., Bhatt, C. & Koparde, P. 2025. Purple Bush-Bean Macroptilium atropurpureum (Fabaceae): a new larval host plant for Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in South Asia. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 1–4. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14690423urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:04A01AAB-8C6D-4F85-BB6D-D4B0B233A36

Revision of the genus Kolopterna Graham (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with description of three new species

All 14 species of the genus Kolopterna Graham known from the Palearctic and Ori­ental regions are revised, and three new species are described: Kolopterna nettae n. sp. from Israel, K. turkmenica n. sp. from Turkmenistan and K. lao n. sp. from Laos. Kolopterna grahami Kostjukov & Khomchenko is synonymized under K. desulcata (Kostjukov). Females are redescribed for Kolopterna nartshukae (Kostjukov) and K. salina Graham, with males being described for the first time for both species. The distribution of Kolopterna aymani Doğanlar, K. kur­djumovi Kostjukov & Yegorenkova, K. nartshukae and K. salina is updated with new records of K. nartshukae from Israel and Cyprus and of K. salina from Israel and Jordan. Two new host records are reported: Baldratia arida Dorchin (Ce­ci­domyiidae) for K. salina and Asphondylia spp. (Cecidomyiidae) for K. nettae n. sp. Molecular identifications for two species K. nettae n. sp. and K. salina Graham are provided. Kolopterna trjapitzini Kostjukov & Kosheleva is ex­clu­ded from Kolopterna, moved to Aprostocetus, as A. mashuk nom. nov. An iden­tification key to females of all known species and to males of some species of Kolopterna is presented. To cite: Yegorenkova, E. & Yefremova, Z. 2024. Revision of the genus Kolopterna Graham (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with description of three new species. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 63–91. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12759564urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D0226141-A53C-4B54-80FC-4547C9300C87

A peculiar large-eyed aposematic bug Miropictopallium coloradmonens n. gen., n. sp. (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Yuripopovinidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber

Miropictopallium coloradmonens, a new genus and a new species are described and illustrated in the family Yuripopovinidae, based on two specimens from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. The documented diversity of the Yuripopovinidae is thus increased to 15 species in 12 genera. The new genus possesses a number of distinct morphological characteristics for this family including very large eyes, intricate body colour pattern and enlarged scutellum. In addition, the new genus has unfused costal and subcostal veins on the tegmen, a character previously not reported from amber-preserved members of the family. The diagnostic characters of the family are discussed in light of the new descriptions. The newly discovered features prompt some implications towards understanding of the palaeoecology and palaeobiodiversity of the fossil Coreoidea. To cite: Fabrikant, D. & Novoselska, T. 2024. A peculiar large-eyed aposematic bug Miropictopallium coloradmonens n. gen., n. sp. (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Yuripopovinidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 1–23. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10848699urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CFFFC182-A4D7-4FCE-BAEC-063E2E1FDDD

New synonym of Anthrenus flavidulus Reitter (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Iran

The species Anthrenus flavidulus Reitter, 1889 is redescribed and A. farsicus Kadej & Háva, 2011, is synonymised under the former, based on a thorough comparison of the colour patterns and structures of the antennae, aedeagi and sternites IX of the two species. Thus, the number of valid species belonging to the Palaearctic Anthrenus pimpinellae complex has been reduced to 26. Holloway, G.J. & Herrmann, A. 2024. New synonym of Anthrenus flavidulus Reitter (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Iran. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 123–130. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14211948urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:93E8BBE3-A139-4AAB-AFDF-1596EC91B96

On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae

Femoral trichobothria in liphistiomorph spiders are re-discovered and described for the first time. Present in both Liphistiidae and Heptathelidae, they turned out to be another synapomorphy of this suborder. The trichobothria of Liphistiomorphae, situated dorsally on the distal leg/palp joints (as usual in spiders), and ventrally on femora, possess sharply dissimilar bothria; two types of trichobothrial bases in the same species are a unique case among Arachnida. The morphology of the bothria in the liphistiomorphs has been compared with those in the mygalomorphs and araneomorphs, as well as those in the tetrapulmonate and non-tetrapulmonate arachnid orders. The evolution of the bothrial types in all three main lineages of the Araneae seems to have been parallel. Eskov, K.Y., Zonstein, S.L. & Marusik, Y.M. 2024. On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 93–112. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12790018urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:21CADACD-586B-4C94-BDF2-D13425324C5

Pinhas (Pinye) Amitai (1928—2023)

Pinhas (Pinye) Amitai, a self-educated zoologist, was one of the most notable and popular naturalists in Israel, famous for his books, lectures, jokes, pranks and the characteristic enormous moustache. Amitai was born in Jerusalem, spent most of his life in Jerusalem and died in Jerusalem, full of years and good works. In general, he was primarily an entomologist and arachnologist, and his main scientific interest was in poisonous arthropods. However, Pinye’s major contribution was the popularization of nature science and his love of nature among the general public. Overall, he authored or co-authored more than 270 publications, including 17 scientific articles in English or French, one scientific book in English, 17 popular scientific books in Hebrew, and numerous articles in Hebrew journals and newspapers. To cite: Simon, D. & Friedman, A.-L.-L. 2024. Pinhas (Pinye) Amitai (1928—2023). Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 159–170. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1475610

Alexandr Mikhailovich Orlov ʻThe Cycling Entomologistʼ (1964 — 2024)

Alexandr (Sasha) Orlov was born on 16 December 1964 in Kiev, Ukraine, and spent most of his early years in Odesa, Ukraine. Since his earliest childhood Sasha demonstrated an inordinate fondness for nature and animals, particularly arthropods. In his early school years, Sasha already had his own microscope and a modest collection of local insects, perfectly mounted, labelled and identified using the available entomological literature. His real research work started when he was in Grade 4 and met Prof. Semen Ya. Blinstein of Zoological Museum of the Odesa I.I. Mechnykov National University. During his school years, Sasha went on hikes around Odesa and the Odesa Region, studying and collecting insects, focusing on beetles (Coleoptera), particularly the ground beetles (Carabidae) and rove beetles (Staphylinidae), and butterflies and moth (Lepidoptera). Orlov studied geology at the Odesa I.I. Mechnykov National University, and at the same time was working at the Zoological Museum, undertaking numerous trips on his bicycle and surveying the beetle fauna of the riparian zones of the estuaries (limans) around Odesa. After graduating, he continued to combine a handwork, cycling, tourism and entomological studies, also after his moving to Israel in 2001. Since then, he traversed Israel many times in different directions, riding a bicycle in a company of his faithful dog Kubik, and accumulated a collection of ca. 3500 specimens (mainly beetles), which he finally generously donated to the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University. Sasha passed away untimely in Jerusalem on 13 July 2024 succumbing to cancer. To cite: Friedman, A.-L.-L. 2024. Alexandr Mikhailovich Orlov ʻThe Cycling Entomologistʼ (1964 — 2024). Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 153–158. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1455802

New records of Filistata Latreille (Araneae: Filistatidae) in Israel, with notes on F. albens and the first description of its female

Filistata albens Zonstein & Marusik, 2019, is rediagnosed and redescribed based on newly collected specimens and its female is described for the first time. Several new records of F. insidiatrix (Forsskål, 1775), previously known from Israel, are also provided. In Israel, the genus is currently known to encompass five (four named and one yet undescribed) species. To cite: Zonstein, S.L. & Marusik, Y.M. 2024. New records of Filistata Latreille (Araneae: Filistatidae) in Israel, with notes on F. albens and the first description of its female. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 115–121. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13790933urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EA0407DB-9D60-4239-B2A1-9126127824D