New Neotropical Saicinae: new species of Buninotus Maldonado Capriles, Caprilesia Gil-Santana, Marques & Costa, and Pseudosaica Blinn (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Buninotus palikur n. sp. (French Guiana), Caprilesia napuruna n. sp. (Ecuador), Caprilesia sikuani n. sp. (Colombia), and Pseudosaica charrua n. sp. (Argentina) are described. Detailed descriptions of coloration patterns, external morphology and genitalia are offered and discussed for each genus and species. Digital images of external morphological characters and of the genitalia are provided. Updated keys to the species of Buninotus, Caprilesia, and Pseudosaica are presented to facilitate the identification of the species.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

First record of the assassin bug genus Coilopus Elkins, 1969 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Colombia

The assassin bug genus Coilopus Elkins, 1969 is recorded for the first time from Colombia. Coilopus vellus Elkins, 1969 is a wasp mimic that was previously recorded from Costa Rica, French Guiana, and Brazil. The Colombian specimens fill the distributional gap between the known Central and South American records. In addition, based on collected wasps from the same place as Coilopus, Mischocyttarus sp. (Vespidae: Polistinae) is proposed as the hymenopteran model of this mimetic harpactorine

Evolutionary mechanisms for camouflage in Cladomorphus phyllinus (Phasmatodea): a reflection on the role of evidence for hypotheses proposition

We address and discuss some of the many fl aws exhibited by Costa et al. (2019) which tried to explain the twig-like camoufl age of Cladomorphus phyllinus. Given the lack of both empirical and theoretical underpinnings in Costa et al. (2019), we call into question the validity of their conclusions, in particular, that horizontal gene transfer is a causal mechanism for the camoufl age in C. phyllinus

New Neotropical Saicinae: new species of Buninotus Maldonado Capriles, Caprilesia Gil-Santana, Marques & Costa, and Pseudosaica Blinn (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Buninotus palikur n. sp. (French Guiana), Caprilesia napuruna n. sp. (Ecuador), Caprilesia sikuani n. sp. (Colombia), and Pseudosaica charrua n. sp. (Argentina) are described. Detailed descriptions of coloration patterns, external morphology and genitalia are offered and discussed for each genus and species. Digital images of external morphological characters and of the genitalia are provided. Updated keys to the species of Buninotus, Caprilesia, and Pseudosaica are presented to facilitate the identification of the species.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Comparación de perfiles electroforéticos del veneno de especies de Hymenoptera colectados en diferentes localidades de Colombia

Los venenos de Hymenoptera han sido estudiados con el fin de encontrar en sus cocteles proteicos péptidos que puedan tener un uso potencial en humanos. Sin embargo, existen especies ya estudiadas como Apis mellifera que podrían llegar a tener complejos proteicos distintos según el lugar donde se encuentre como ya se ha reportado en algunas especies del mismo orden, ampliando las posibilidades de encontrar péptidos benéficos. Asimismo, los venenos de algunas especies de Hymenoptera no han sido estudiados y se desconoce su contenido proteico, como ocurre con Synoeca septentrionalis y especies del género Eulaema. Por esta razón, utilizando la electroforesis SDS-PAGE obtuvimos y comparamos los perfiles electroforéticos del veneno de individuos de A. mellifera colectados en dos ubicaciones distintas, en los que encontramos que a pesar de ser la misma especie existen cambios en las proteínas de sus venenos. Adicionalmente obtuvimos los perfiles del veneno de S. septentrionalis y de una especie de Eulaema, los comparamos entre sí y con el de A. mellifera, donde encontramos proteínas que posiblemente se comparten entre los venenos de las diferentes especies.The venoms of Hymenoptera have been studied in order to find in their protein cocktails peptides that may have a potential use in humans. However, there are already studied species such as Apis mellifera that could have different protein complexes depending on the place where it is found, as has already been reported in some species of the same order, expanding the possibilities of finding beneficial peptides. Likewise, the poisons of some Hymenoptera species have not been studied and their protein content is unknown, as is the case of Synoeca septentrionalis and species of the genus Eulaema. For this reason, using electrophoresis SDS-PAGE we obtained and compared the electrophoretic profiles of the venom of A. mellifera individuals collected in two different locations, in which we found that despite being the same species there are changes in the proteins of their poisons . Additionally we obtained the profiles of the venom of S. septentrionalis and of a species of Eulaema, we compared them each other and with A. mellifera, where we found proteins that are possibly shared among the venoms of the different species.Biólogo (a)Pregrad

A checklist of natural enemies of \u3ci\u3eDiaphorina citri\u3c/i\u3e Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia and the world

In recent years, populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), have increased in rural citrus orchards and urban backyard gardens. In order to find biological control options for D. citri, a search for natural enemies was conducted in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The collections were carried out in citrus orchards in rural areas and house gardens and street trees in urban areas. Natural enemies were collected from D. citri found on Citrus spp. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae). A total of 16 species of natural enemies of D. citri distributed in six families in fi ve orders are reported from Colombia. Herein we provide an updated list of 95 species of arthropod (arachnids and insects) natural enemies of D. citri distributed in nine orders and 23 families recorded worldwide

A checklist of natural enemies of \u3ci\u3eDiaphorina citri\u3c/i\u3e Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia and the world

In recent years, populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), have increased in rural citrus orchards and urban backyard gardens. In order to find biological control options for D. citri, a search for natural enemies was conducted in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The collections were carried out in citrus orchards in rural areas and house gardens and street trees in urban areas. Natural enemies were collected from D. citri found on Citrus spp. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae). A total of 16 species of natural enemies of D. citri distributed in six families in fi ve orders are reported from Colombia. Herein we provide an updated list of 95 species of arthropod (arachnids and insects) natural enemies of D. citri distributed in nine orders and 23 families recorded worldwide

New plant associations for Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae) in green urban areas of Bogotá (Colombia)

Monalonion velezangeli Carvalho and Costa (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous plant bug recognized as one of the most important pest species of coffee and avocado in rural regions of Colombia. M. velezangeli is reported for the first time in green urban areas in the high Andean city of Bogotá (Colombia). Specimens were collected on eight species of urban trees planted in the city, of which five represent new plant associations for M. velezangeli. The plant species Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) is for the first time reported as new host plant damaged by M. velezangeli under urban conditions.Monalonion velezangeli Carvalho and Costa (Hemiptera: Miridae) es un mírido polífago reconocido como una de las especies plaga más importantes del café y el aguacate en regiones rurales de Colombia. M. velezangeli es reportado por primera vez en áreas verdes urbanas en la cordillera de los Andes en la ciudad de Bogotá (Colombia). Los especímenes fueron recolectados en ocho especies de árboles plantados en la ciudad, de los cuales cinco representan nuevas asociaciones de M. velezangeli. La especie Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) es por primera vez reportada como nueva planta hospedera afectada por M. velezangeli bajo las condiciones urbanas

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) of Colombia: An annotated checklist of species

A checklist of 5 subfamilies, 108 genera, and 246 species of stinks bugs (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) from Colombia is provided. Three genera [Andrallus Bergroth, Placocoris Mayr, and Pseudobebaeus Distant], and eight species [Arocera spectabilis (Drury), Andrallus spinidens (Fabricius), Banasa excavata Thomas, Banasa saileri Thomas, Banasa varians Stål, Chinavia scutellata (Distant), Pelidnocoris haglundi Ruckes, and Pseudobebaeus truncatus (Fallou)] are recorded for the first time from Colombia. Images of dorsal external habitus for all genera that occur in Colombia are offered. This is the first time a comprehensive list of the stink bugs from Colombia is presented, providing a baseline to develop further studies in this group of true bugs.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective

Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect monitoring in the Global South—world developing and least-developed countries as identified by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development—highlighting challenges and proposing strategic solutions. An analysis of publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance in research contributions between the Global North and South, highlighting disparities in entomological research and the scarcity of taxonomic expertise in the Global South. We discuss the socio-economic factors that exacerbate the issues, including funding disparities, challenges in collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles and the impact of local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping insect diversity, particularly in tropical regions facing multiple challenges including climate change, urbanization, pollution and various anthropogenic activities. We also stress the need for entomologists to advocate for ecosystem services provided by insects in addressing environmental issues. To enhance monitoring capacity, we propose strategies such as community engagement, outreach programmes and cultural activities to instill biodiversity appreciation. Further, language inclusivity and social media use are emphasized for effective communication. More collaborations with Global North counterparts, particularly in areas of molecular biology and remote sensing, are suggested for technological advancements. In conclusion, advocating for these strategies—global collaborations, a diverse entomological community and the integration of transverse disciplines—aims to address challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable insect monitoring in the Global South, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and overall ecosystem health