Revision and Phylogeny of the Genus Phausis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with the Description of Three New Species.

An updated revision of the firefly genus Phausis LeConte (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and the first phylogenetic analysis of all assigned species is herein presented. This treatment includes the description of three new species (Phausis branhami sp. nov.

Exceptional larval morphology of nine species of the species group (Diptera, Tephritidae).

is the most diverse and economically important genus of Tephritidae in the American tropics and subtropics. The striking morphology of the third instars of Norrbom, Stone, Norrbom & Korytkowski, Norrbom, Norrbom & Korytkowski, and three newly discovered and as yet formally unnamed species ( sp. Peru-82, Anastrephasp.

Beetle bioluminescence outshines extant aerial predators.

We understand very little about the timing and origins of bioluminescence, particularly as a predator avoidance strategy. Understanding the timing of its origins, however, can help elucidate the evolution of this ecologically important signal. Using fireflies, a prevalent bioluminescent group where bioluminescence primarily functions as aposematic and sexual signals, we explore the origins of this signal in the context of their potential predators.

Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) across life stages.

Oxygen is an important and often limiting reagent of a firefly's bioluminescent chemical reaction. Therefore, the development of the tracheal system and its subsequent modification to support the function of firefly light organs are key to understanding this process. We employ micro-CT scanning, 3D rendering, and confocal microscopy to assess the abdominal tracheal system in Photinus pyralis from the external spiracles to the light organ's internal tracheal brush, a feature named here for the first time.

A new species of firefly from Bolivia, with a key to species (Coleoptera, Lampyridae).

Olivier, 1908 is a poorly known genus of firefly endemic to South America and is currently the only member of the subfamily Lampyrinae, tribe Lampyrini known to occur on the continent. Here, we describe a new species, from Bolivia and compare it to the two other described species in the genus. A key to species based on male traits, as well as illustrations of morphological features, are given in detail for the first time.

A catalog of the Lampyridae (Coleoptera) of the West Indies.

The West Indies represents one of the world's hotspots for beetles in the family Lampyridae and includes many endemic taxa. Nine out of 19 genera and 181 out of 186 species of the currently described firefly taxa present in the West Indies are endemic to the region. The objective of this catalog and bibliography is to generate an exhaustive list of firefly taxa present in the West Indies.

Description of life cycle and preimaginal stages of Alecton discoidalis Laporte, 1833 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) under laboratory conditions.

Alecton discoidalis Laporte, 1833 is the most widespread species of the only firefly genus endemic to Cuba. It is commonly found in limestone landscapes across the western half of the country. Larvae of A.

Mitochondrial sequence data clarify species concepts in the Cyclocephala mafaffa species complex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini).

The speciose genus Cyclocephala Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) has attracted research attention due to their diversity, agroeconomic importance, and floral visitation habits. Uniquely among Cyclocephala species, C. mafaffa Burmeister and C.

Anchored hybrid enrichment phylogenomics resolves the backbone of erebine moths.

The subfamily Erebinae (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) includes approximately 10,000 species with many still undescribed. It is one of the most diverse clades within the moth superfamily Noctuoidea and encompasses a diversity of ecological habits. Erebine caterpillars feed on a broad range of host plants including several economically important crops.

Fireflies thwart bat attack with multisensory warnings.

Many defended animals prevent attacks by displaying warning signals that are highly conspicuous to their predators. We hypothesized that bioluminescing fireflies, widely known for their vibrant courtship signals, also advertise their noxiousness to echolocating bats. To test this postulate, we pit naïve big brown bats () against chemically defended fireflies () to examine whether and how these beetles transmit salient warnings to bats.

Annotated catalog and bibliography of the cyclocephaline scarab beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini).

Cyclocephaline scarab beetles represent the second largest tribe of the subfamily Dynastinae, and the group includes the most speciose genus of dynastines, . The period following publication of Sebő Endrődi's has seen a huge increase in research interest on cyclocephalines, and much of this research has not been synthesized. The objective of this catalog and bibliography is to compile an exhaustive list of taxa in Cyclocephalini.

Synopsis of the cyclocephaline scarab beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae).

The cyclocephaline scarabs (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) are a speciose tribe of beetles that include species that are ecologically and economically important as pollinators and pests of agriculture and turf. We provide an overview and synopsis of the 14 genera of Cyclocephalini that includes information on: 1) the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of the group; 2) diagnosis and identification of immature life-stages; 3) economic importance in agroecosystems; 4) natural enemies of these beetles; 5) use as food by humans; 6) the importance of adults as pollination mutualists; 7) fossil cyclocephalines and the evolution of the group; 8) generic-level identification of adults. We provide an expanded identification key to genera of world Cyclocephalini and diagnoses for each genus.

Description of the larva and pupa of (Palisot de Beauvois, 1806) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) with a key to described third instars of New World Phileurini.

The third instar and pupa of Phileurus truncatus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1806) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) is described for the first time based on specimens from Florida, United States of America. An identification key to the third instars of New World Phileurini is also provided.

Total evidence phylogeny and the evolution of adult bioluminescence in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Fireflies are some of the most captivating organisms on the planet. They have a rich history as subjects of scientific study, especially in relation to their bioluminescent behavior. Yet, the phylogenetic relationships of fireflies are still poorly understood.

The terrestrial bioluminescent animals of Japan.

Light production by organisms, or bioluminescence, has fascinated not only scientists but also ordinary people all over the world, and it has been especially so in Japan. Here we review the biological information available to date for all luminous terrestrial animals known from Japan, particularly focusing on their diversity and systematics, their biology and ecology in Japan, and putative function and biochemistry of their luminescence. In total 58 luminous terrestrial animals have been described from Japan, which consist of 50 fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), one glowworm beetle (Coleoptera: Phengodidae), two fungus gnats (Diptera: Keroplatidae), one springtail (Collembola), one millipede (Diplopoda), one centipede (Chilopoda) and two earthworms (Oligochaeta).

A second species of Oculogryphus (Coleoptera, Lampyridae), with notes on the phylogenetic affinities of the genus.

A second species of the enigmatic lampyrid genus Oculogryphus is described and figured as Oculogryphus bicolorsp. n. from Vietnam.

Phylogeny, biogeography and the stepwise evolutionary colonization of intertidal habitat in the Liparocephalini based on morphological and molecular characters (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).

A phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Liparocephalini Fenyes is presented based on morphological and molecular characters. The data set comprised 50 adult morphological characters, partial COI (907 bp), COII (366 bp) and 12S rDNA (325-355 bp), and nearly complete sequences of 18S rDNA (1768-1902 bp) for 21 species. Eighteen species of liparocephaline beetles from all eight genera and three outgroups, are included.

Molecules, morphology and fossils: a comprehensive approach to odonate phylogeny and the evolution of the odonate wing.

We undertook a comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of dragonfly phylogeny, examining both extant and fossil lineages in simultaneous analyses. The legitimacy of higher-level family groups and the phylogenetic relationship between families were tested. Thirteen families were supported as monophyletic (Aeshnidae, Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, Euphaeidae, Gomphidae, Isostictidae, Lestidae, Libellulidae, Petaluridae, Platystictidae, Polythoridae, Pseudostigmatidae and Synthemistidae) and eight as non-monophyletic (Amphipterygidae, Coenagrionidae, Corduliidae, Megapodagrionidae, Protoneuridae and Synlestidae), although Perilestidae and Platycnemididae were recovered as monophyletic under Bayesian analyses.

The origin of photic behavior and the evolution of sexual communication in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Through a phylogenetic analysis using adult morphological characters, we show that the origin of bioluminescence in cantharoid beetles appears to predate the origin of the family Lampyridae. The ability to produce and emit photic signals was first gained by larvae and appears to function as an aposematic warning display; it was subsequently gained in adults and is used as a sexual signal. Our analysis also suggests that while pheromonal sexual signals are used basally in the family, they are used in conjunction with and then subsequently replaced by photic signals in some lampyrid lineages.