Two independent LAMP assays for rapid identification of the serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard, 1926) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Australia

Liriomyza huidobrensis is a leafminer fly and significant horticultural pest. It is a quarantine listed species in many countries and is now present as an established pest in Australia. Liriomyza huidobrensis uses a broad range of host plants and has potential for spread into various horticultural systems and regions of Australia. Rapid in-field identification of the pest is critically needed to assist efforts to manage this pest. Morphological identification of the pest is effectively limited to specialist examinations of adult males. Generally, molecular methods such as qPCR and DNA barcoding for identification of Liriomyza species require costly laboratory-based hardware. Herein, we developed two independent and rapid LAMP assays targeted to independently inherited mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Both assays are highly sensitive and specific to L. huidobrensis. Positive signals can be detected within 10 min on laboratory and portable real-time amplification fluorometers. Further, we adapted these assays for use with colorimetric master mixes, to allow fluorometer free in-field diagnostics of L. huidobrensis. Our LAMP assays can be used for stand-alone testing of query specimens and are likely to be essential tools used for rapid identification and monitoring of L. huidobrensis

Case 3724 – <i>Metochus abbreviatus</i> Scott, 1874 (Insecta, Heteroptera): proposed precedence over <i>Rhyparochromus erosus</i> Walker, 1872 (currently <i>Metochus erosus</i>)

The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used specific name Metochus abbreviatus Scott, 1874, for a species of rhyparochromid bugs from East Asia. The name is threatened by the senior subjective synonym Rhyparochromus erosus Walker, 1872, which has seldom been used since its first publication. Therefore, precedence of the name Metochus abbreviatus Scott, 1874 over Rhyparochromus erosus Walker, 1872 is proposed.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Indigenous plants promote insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces

The contribution of urban greenspaces to support biodiversity and provide benefits for people is increasingly recognized. However, ongoing management practices favor vegetation oversimplification, often limiting greenspaces to lawns and tree canopy rather than multi-layered vegetation that includes under- and midstorey, and the use of nonnative species. These practices hinder the potential of greenspaces to sustain indigenous biodiversity, particularly for taxa like insects that rely on plants for food and habitat. Yet, little is known about which plant species may maximize positive outcomes for taxonomically and functionally diverse insect communities in greenspaces. Additionally, while cities are expected to experience high rates of introductions, quantitative assessments of the relative occupancy of indigenous vs. introduced insect species in greenspace are rare, hindering understanding of how management may promote indigenous biodiversity while limiting the establishment of introduced insects. Using a hierarchically replicated study design across 15 public parks, we recorded occurrence data from 552 insect species on 133 plant species, differing in planting design element (lawn, midstorey, and tree canopy), midstorey growth form (forbs, lilioids, graminoids, and shrubs) and origin (nonnative, native, and indigenous), to assess (1) the relative contributions of indigenous and introduced insect species and (2) which plant species sustained the highest number of indigenous insects. We found that the insect community was overwhelmingly composed of indigenous rather than introduced species. Our findings further highlight the core role of multi-layered vegetation in sustaining high insect biodiversity in urban areas, with indigenous midstorey and canopy representing key elements to maintain rich and functionally diverse indigenous insect communities. Intriguingly, graminoids supported the highest indigenous insect richness across all studied growth forms by plant origin groups. Our work highlights the opportunity presented by indigenous understory and midstorey plants, particularly indigenous graminoids, in our study area to promote indigenous insect biodiversity in urban greenspaces. Our study provides a blueprint and stimulus for architects, engineers, developers, designers, and planners to incorporate into their practice plant species palettes that foster a larger presence of indigenous over regionally native or nonnative plant species, while incorporating a broader mixture of midstorey growth forms

FIGURE 6 in Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae)

FIGURE 6. Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., distal area of labium (A), mesotarsus (B), distal area of tarsus showing claw and associated structures (C), male, trichobothrial pattern on right side of posterior abdominal segments (D), submedial trichobothria on abdominal sternum IV (E), trichobothrial distribution pattern in male (left) and female (right) (F), trichobothria on abdominal sternum VII (G), enlarged structure of trichobothria on abdominal sterna III and IV (H, I).Published as part of Malipatil, Mallik B., Masłowski, Adrian, Dobosz, Roland & Taszakowski, Artur, 2022, Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae), pp. 333-344 in Zootaxa 5154 (3) on page 340, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.6, http://zenodo.org/record/664478

FIGURE 3 in Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae)

FIGURE 3. Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., paratype, female, ventral view (A), holotype, male, head, dorsal (B) and ventral (C) views, B &amp; C, same scale, paratype, male, metathoracic scent gland in light microscopy (D) and SEM (E).Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malipatil, Mallik B., Masłowski, Adrian, Dobosz, Roland &amp; Taszakowski, Artur, 2022, Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae), pp. 333-344 in Zootaxa 5154 (3)&lt;/i&gt; on page 337, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.6, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6644783"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6644783&lt;/a&gt

FIGURE 9 in Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae)

FIGURE 9. Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., distribution in New Caledonia: Aoupinié (1), Col d'Amieu and Farino env. rain forest (2).Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malipatil, Mallik B., Masłowski, Adrian, Dobosz, Roland &amp; Taszakowski, Artur, 2022, Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae), pp. 333-344 in Zootaxa 5154 (3)&lt;/i&gt; on page 342, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.6, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6644783"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6644783&lt;/a&gt

FIGURE 4 in Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae)

FIGURE 4. Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., paratype, male, ventral view (A) and paratype, female, dorsal view (B).Published as part of Malipatil, Mallik B., Masłowski, Adrian, Dobosz, Roland & Taszakowski, Artur, 2022, Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae), pp. 333-344 in Zootaxa 5154 (3) on page 338, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.6, http://zenodo.org/record/664478

FIGURE 2 in Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae)

FIGURE 2. Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., paratypes: female, dorsal views of light (A) and dark (B) colour form.Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malipatil, Mallik B., Masłowski, Adrian, Dobosz, Roland &amp; Taszakowski, Artur, 2022, Meschia brevirostris sp. nov., from New Caledonia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Meschiidae), pp. 333-344 in Zootaxa 5154 (3)&lt;/i&gt; on page 336, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.6, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6644783"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6644783&lt;/a&gt

Revision of a unique Australian leafhopper genus Stenopsoides Evans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Idiocerinae: Macropsini)

Semeraro, Linda, Fletcher, Murray J., Malipatil, Mallik B., Constant, Jerome, New, Timothy R. (2021): Revision of a unique Australian leafhopper genus Stenopsoides Evans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Idiocerinae: Macropsini). Zootaxa 4999 (2): 117-131, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4999.2.