DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.182513

Authors: Howon Rhee

Abstract: Any signal involved in intrasexual competition may indicate the physical strength of individuals, allowing males to gauge a competitor’s fighting ability and avoid costly injuries. Tettigonia viridissima is an aggressive predatory bush-cricket in which males produce loud songs and engage in physical fights during choruses. This study tested whether males could assess rivals’ fighting ability through acoustic signals and without physical interaction. This study hypothesized that larger males produce lower mean carrier frequencies and exhibit greater acoustic competitiveness than smaller rivals, which would be reflected in acoustic dominance behavior. Individual male calls were recorded, morphological traits were measured, and acoustic competitiveness was evaluated in a laboratory setup. Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed no significant relationship between acoustic competitiveness and either body size or mean carrier frequency. These null results demonstrate an evolutionary asymmetry: While acoustic and morphological traits are favored by intersexual female choice, they operate independently during intrasexual male competition. Future work should evaluate alternative acoustic parameters and non-physical behavioral contexts.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.207122

Authors: David Hunter, Héctor Medina, Gustavo Zagaglia, Allan Spessa

Abstract: After an absence of almost 60 years, a major upsurge of the South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata, occurred in Argentina and neighboring countries from 2015 to 2020, with a further upsurge during 2024 and 2025. We analyzed locust occurrence records from Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, together with temperature and rainfall data, to examine the sequence of breeding and migration during these periods. The results show repeated alternation of locust activity between Argentina and Paraguay/Bolivia, consistent with a regional migratory circuit. Detailed seasonal analyses indicate that upsurges were sustained by several generations of breeding within seasons, including asynchronous or multi-cohort development under variable rainfall conditions. While historical outbreaks originated mainly in traditional outbreak areas, specifically in the provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja in northwest Argentina, breeding now occurs over a much larger area extending from the traditional outbreak areas northwards into Paraguay and Bolivia and is likely associated with extensive clearing of the forests of the Grand Chaco. These findings indicate that the population dynamics of S. cancellata have changed, with implications for monitoring and control strategies, which must now operate on a broader regional scale.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.207048

Authors: Jiawen Du, Yinwei You, Fangzheng Yue, Xiao Xu, Yimulati Nulakeman, Yasen Shali, Michel Lecoq

Abstract: More than 100 grasshopper species occur in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, several of which periodically cause severe damage to rangelands. Aspergillus oryzae XJ-1, a fungal pathogen originally isolated from a grasshopper in Xinjiang, has previously shown pathogenicity against several locust and grasshopper species in laboratory and cropland studies, but its efficacy in natural grasslands remained unknown. We evaluated its pathogenicity and field efficacy through infection assays, field-cage experiments, and field trials conducted in Xinjiang from 2024–2025. In field-cage experiments, cumulative mortality of adult Oedipoda miniata and Calliptamus barbarus reached 73.3 ± 8.8% and 76.7 ± 6.7%, respectively, 20 days after treatment. Field applications reduced grasshopper populations by up to 84.9% within 15 days. Mycelial growth of A. oryzae XJ-1 was observed on cadavers of seven grasshopper species collected from treated plots. These results demonstrate the pathogenicity of A. oryzae XJ-1 under field conditions and suggest that this indigenous fungal isolate has promising potential as a biological control agent against grasshoppers in the arid grasslands of northwestern China.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.185742

Authors: Juan Mateo Guillén-Carpio, Julio Rivera, Pablo Sebastián Padrón Martínez

Abstract: Knowledge of the natural history of Neotropical mantids remains limited, and detailed biological information is lacking for most species. Here, we provide the first comprehensive account of the biology, morphology, chromatic polymorphism, development, and potential distribution of Musonia margheritae based primarily on material and observations from Ecuador, where the species inhabits arid ecosystems along the western slopes of the Andes. Our study reveals marked sexual differences in adult lifespan under laboratory conditions, with females living nearly twice as long as males, likely reflecting the energetic demands of ootheca production and prolonged foraging. We document key morphological traits and phenotypic variation relevant to the species’ ecology and taxonomy and present the first high-resolution photographic documentation of male and female genitalia for the species, including the first illustration of female genitalic structures. Coloration analyses show pronounced chromatic polymorphism in females and more uniform coloration in males. We propose that this polymorphism is associated with ecological and behavioral factors linked to crypsis in heterogeneous environments, particularly in apterous individuals (adult females and immatures) that rely heavily on substrate matching. A female with atypical green pigmentation recorded during the rainy season is consistent with developmental plasticity in coloration under seasonally variable conditions. Our ecological niche model indicates that M. margheritae occupies arid and seasonally dry habitats from sea level to 2000 m a.s.l. between central Ecuador and northern Chile; although the model overpredicts suitable areas, precipitation seasonality emerged as the primary predictor of habitat suitability. Overall, this study provides the most complete dataset currently available for M. margheritae in Ecuador and establishes a foundation for future research on this species and other understudied Neotropical mantids.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.193650

Authors: Pedro H. Mendes-Carvalho, Rodrigo L. Ferreira

Abstract: Sexual anomalies, particularly gynandromorphism and intersexuality, have been documented across a wide range of invertebrate groups including insects. This study reports the first record of gynandromorphism in a phalangopsid cricket, Endecous (Notendecous) potiguar. A detailed morphological characterization of the anomalous specimen is provided, with its traits compared to those of conspecific males and females collected concurrently from the same cave in which the anomalous individual was discovered. The specimen displays a striking mosaic of male and female features, including a malformed phallic complex and ovipositor. Beyond documenting this rare condition, these findings may provide a foundation for future investigations into the evolution, homology, and ontogeny of sexual traits particularly within crickets.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.174839

Authors: Mahmood Kolnegari, Elias Handal, Mahdi Zare Khormizi

Abstract: Iran, the world’s 18th-largest country, harbors a wide range of habitats and a rich diversity of Mantodea. The genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922 is represented in Iran by several morphologically similar ground-dwelling species. Here, we describe Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. from the Zagros oak forests of Lorestan Province, western Iran. The new species is diagnosed based on external morphology and male genital structures and is compared with congeners occurring in Iran and Iraq. A dichotomous key to the Iranian species of Rivetina is also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.159323

Authors: Nobuhiro Matsuoka, Misa Miyakawa, Michihiro Ishihara

Abstract: Autotomy enables orthopteran species to escape from predators but imposes costs on escape speed and mating success. In the band-legged ground cricket Dianemobius fascipes nigrofasciatus, we attempted to measure the autotomy time of the forelimbs, middle limbs, and hind limbs to understand whether limb position affects autotomy speed, a critical factor of escape success from predators. All limb types, including the second forelimb, were autotomized almost instantaneously under direct observation. We also examined how female forelimb autotomy affects mating success, egg number, and hatching rate among three groups: intact females, females with a single forelimb autotomized, and females with both forelimbs autotomized. Each female was paired with an intact male, and we assessed mating success based on whether any of the laid eggs hatched. We also measured the total number of eggs laid and the hatching rate among treatment groups. Females with intact forelimbs showed the highest mating success, whereas females with both forelimbs autotomized showed the lowest. Egg number did not differ significantly among treatments, although the estimated mean was highest in the single forelimb autotomy group and lowest in the double forelimb autotomy group. Hatching rate, reanalyzed using only females that produced at least one hatched egg, was significantly lower in the double forelimb autotomy group than in the other groups. These findings highlight the importance of forelimbs in cricket reproduction, probably through their roles in maintaining mating posture and, possibly, in auditory perception.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.188742

Authors: Ole-Kristian Odin Schall, Martin Husemann, Enrico Bonino

Abstract: The first monkey hopper (Orthoptera: Eumastacoidea) from Eocene Baltic amber (ca. 49–44 Ma) is described based on a well-preserved male specimen. Baltoparalethus alessioboninoi gen. et sp. nov. is tentatively assigned to the family Episactidae: subfamily Episactinae. The new taxon extends the age of Episactidae back by about 25 Ma, providing important new insights into their geographic distribution in deep time as well as the evolutionary chronology of Eumastacoidea.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.187943

Authors: Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Sotiris Alexiou, Apostolos Christopoulos, Styliani Minoudi, David Koutsogiannopoulos, Christos Kotselis, Alexandros Triantafyllidis

Abstract: A new species of cave cricket, Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov., is described from the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Dodecanese, Levantine Sea). The species is documented from artificial subterranean habitats, as no accessible natural caves are known on the island. Detailed morphological analysis of both sexes reveals a unique combination of characters, including the structure of the male epiphallus, the shape of the tenth tergite, the presence of styli on the male subgenital plate, and the morphology of the female ovipositor, which clearly differentiate it from all known congeners. Comparative morphology indicates strong affinities with Anatolian species of Dolichopoda, particularly D. sbordonii and D. lycia, and no close relationship with the Aegean species complex occurring on islands of East Aegean and the adjacent Anatolian coast. These affinities are further supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from DNA barcoding. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses consistently recover the Kastellorizo lineage as a distinct and well-supported clade nested within the southwestern Anatolian lineage of the genus. The discovery of D. balrogi sp. nov. represents the first documented occurrence of an Anatolian lineage of Dolichopoda within European territory, underscoring the unique biogeographical character of Kastellorizo as a Greek territory with pronounced Anatolian biogeographical affinities. This finding emphasizes the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving species boundaries and evolutionary relationships and contributes to the growing evidence of underestimated biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean region.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.187916

Authors: Bianca Greyvenstein, Paul Janse van Rensburg, Terence Bellingan, Johnnie van den Berg, Kurt Jordaens, Riaan Stals, John Midgley

Abstract: Mantises predominantly prey on invertebrates but occasionally also on small vertebrates. We describe the distributions of the three Polyspilota species (Mantodea: Mantidae) that occur in South Africa, based on 466 specimen records from local and international museum collections as well as citizen science observations on iNaturalist. Polyspilota species are widespread along the subtropical eastern coastal and northern regions of South Africa. We report a novel feeding strategy for Polyspilota aeruginosa (Goeze, 1778) in which a late-instar nymph consumed a terrestrial snail in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We additionally confirm similar feeding behavior in a captive female of the same species. Citizen scientist observations on iNaturalist have also recorded more than one Polyspilota species feeding on mollusks in South Africa, suggesting that terrestrial gastropod predation may be more common within this genus. An incidental observation of P. aeruginosa consuming a gecko further illustrates the trophic opportunism of this species. Feeding on snails may be related to the abundance of this resource within the combined range of the South African Polyspilota species, which lies in coastal areas and low-altitude regions with high atmospheric humidity.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.173175

Authors: Jaroslav Holuša, Robert Vlk, Pavel Marhoul, Petr Kočárek, Tomáš Dvořák, Oto Kaláb, Thomas Zuna-Kratky

Abstract: Orthoptera species distribution ranges are dynamically shifting because of climate change. This article documents the expansion of the short-winged grasshopper Pezotettix giornae in Western and Central Europe between 1990 and 2024. Published records from Central Europe (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic) are supplemented with data from public databases and targeted field surveys, particularly in southeastern Moravia and the Burda Hills region of southern Slovakia. Whereas P. giornae was previously abundant mainly in the Mediterranean reaching northwards into central Hungary, its range has gradually shifted northward over the past 30 years, now reaching central France, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, with single individuals transported to northern France, northern Switzerland, central Germany, and the Netherlands. The increase in abundance and the number of newly recorded localities indicate the dynamic spread of this species despite its inability to fly. This expansion is facilitated by climate warming, the species’ ability to colonize ruderal and successional habitats, and passive dispersal via transportation, particularly along road and railway corridors. The case of P. giornae demonstrates that even brachypterous species with limited dispersal ability can undergo significant range shifts. This trend has important implications for ecological modeling and the prediction of future species distributions and biodiversity conservation strategies in the changing European landscape.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.182212

Authors: Giacomo Ortis, Giacomo Cavaletto, Giacomo Santoiemma, Filippo Giannone, Luca Mazzon

Abstract: The endemic species Barbitistes vicetinus (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) is a flightless bush-cricket that is recognized as a pest in certain hilly areas of northeastern Italy. Under favorable conditions, its population can increase to outbreak levels, causing severe damage to broadleaf trees and crops, particularly vineyards and olive groves. Current population management methods rely on insecticide sprays; however, environmentally compatible chemical control options are still to be evaluated. In this study, we compared the effects of six active ingredients, representative of both conventional and organic insecticides, through field and laboratory trials; we also assessed the impact of different dosages for selected compounds. Vine shoots were sleeved and nymph and adult bush-crickets were caged before the application. Among the active ingredients tested, spinosad and deltamethrin were effective in killing bush-crickets under all experimental conditions. Doses as low as one-fourth of the standard deltamethrin application rate resulted in adult mortality levels comparable to those observed with the full dose. Pyrethrins exhibited moderate insecticidal activity, with enhanced effectiveness at double the standard dose against both nymphs and adults. High adult mortality was observed seven days after treatment with the fungal entomopathogens Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium acridum. These data provide valid support for updating the guidelines aimed at controlling B. vicetinus for growers, landscape managers, and homeowners and can help guide future authorization processes for the tested active ingredients.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.178306

Authors: Charly Oumarou Ngoute, Idriss D. Kouahou Chekep, Obrix R. Ngameni Tchatak, Manfred Nohen Mam, Giresse F. Kameni, Alain Simeu Noutchom, Ester N. Otiobo Atibita, Alain D. Missoup, Jean A. Mbida Mbida, Maurice Tindo, Patrick Akono Ntonga, Leopold G. Lehman

Abstract: Grasshoppers are one of the most dominant and diversified groups in terrestrial ecosystems, of which they are potential bioindicators. In West-Central Africa and the Congo basin, the Acridomorpha fauna is dominated by Acrididae, Pyrgomorphidae, Thericleidae, and Ixalidiidae. This biodiversity is still understudied. The current study compared the grasshopper communities of four vegetation types in the Bangou district: crop field, fallowland, forest, and bare soil. Grasshoppers were sampled using sweep netting and identified in the laboratory using appropriate keys. The species composition was analyzed using several statistical indices: species richness, abundance and abundance distribution model, frequency of occurrence, diversity and similarity, SIMPER, and IndVal. A total of 48 species and 10 subfamilies from three families—Acrididae, Thericleidae, and Pyrgomorphidae—were recorded. Crop field and fallowland hosted the highest grasshopper richness and abundance, while forest and bare soil showed few taxa. Chrotogonus homalodemus served as a specialist or bioindicator of bare soil, whereas four species—Parapterotiltus minimoides, Pterotiltus coeruleocephalus, Parepistaurus sp., and Thericles sp.—indicated forest land. Polyculture enhances plant-resource diversity and expands ecological niches, allowing most generalist species to occur while only a few become rare or highly dominant. Overall, both the number and proportion of generalist species increased markedly with land-use intensification, while rare species occurred in lower proportions in the most disturbed habitats. In the Bangou district, habitat disturbance has increased pest activities of some taxa such as Eyprepocnemis plorans or Catantops melanostictus, whereas other threatened species (e.g., Parapetasia rammei and P. minimoides) were confined to the remaining forest patches, emphasizing the need for sustainable land management.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.180737

Authors: Mohamed Ould Etheimine, Koutaro Ould Maeno, Sidi Ould Ely, Ahmed Salem Benahi, Mohamed El Hacen Jaavar, Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah Ebbe

Abstract: The fungus Metarhizium acridum (Driver & Milner) (Hypocreales, Clavicipitaceae) is the most effective alternative to conventional insecticides for controlling the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål, 1775) (Orthoptera; Acrididae). Demonstrating its storability and efficacy under variable field conditions is essential for promoting the systematic implementation of biological control in desert locust management, but little information is available. In 2014, the Mauritanian National Desert Locust Centre received a fungus powder formulation (Green Muscle) from FAO/CLCPRO. Spore viability was monitored for 10 years while the product was kept in a refrigerator at 4°C. For the field efficacy assessment, seven 20-ha plots were treated with the formulation. The formulation was transported, used, and stored in the field without storage facilities. Applications were conducted using a hand-held sprayer with a dose rate of 50 g in 2 L gasoil per hectare. Two of the seven plots were selected to investigate the influence of host plant (Schouwia thebaica) size and cover on efficacy. Plot A had large, widely spaced plants, and Plot B had small, closely spaced plants. Spore viability and virulence remained unaffected after 10 years of storage. Field application of the biopesticide reduced the locust population by more than 80% within two weeks. Plant size and cover had no significant effect on biopesticide efficacy. Mortality of caged nymphs from Plot A was 82.8% and from Plot B was 83.9% compared to 4.3% in the untreated control. These results demonstrate the remarkable storability and field efficacy of M. acridum and support its integration into desert locust management programs.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.168918

Authors: Antonio Fasano

Abstract: Recent citizen science observations have documented the occurrence of the Asian mantid genus Odontomantis in Brazil, with records from the cities of Boa Vista (Roraima) and Manaus (Amazonas). This represents the first evidence of the genus in South America. All available data derive from photographic records provided by non-specialists, suggesting a recent introduction, although the introduction pathways and the role of human-mediated transport remain unknown. The presence of Odontomantis in urban environments raises questions regarding its ability to establish populations and its potential ecological effects. Urban habitats such as gardens, ornamental vegetation, and fragmented green areas may facilitate its persistence during early stages of colonization. Ecological similarities with native Neotropical mantids occupying comparable microhabitats suggest that interactions with local species could occur if the introduced populations expand beyond urban areas. The detection of Odontomantis in two geographically distant cities may indicate either multiple introduction events or early dispersal within Brazil. These findings highlight the importance of citizen science as an effective tool for detecting non-native invertebrates and underscore the need for continued monitoring to assess the distribution, habitat use, and potential ecological impact of Odontomantis in the Neotropics.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.175567

Authors: Filipe Macedo Gudin, Daniela Santos Martins Silva, Autumn Otto, Jason Bracken, Tereza Jeskova

Abstract: The genus Trimerotropis Stål, 1873 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a speciose group of American grasshoppers, comprising 49 recognized species. Despite its diversity, published records of parasitoid associations with Trimerotropis are scarce, with only a single published record of a sarcophagid fly, Blaesoxipha (Acridiophaga) caridei (Brèthes, 1906) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), from T. ochraceipennis (Blanchard, 1851) in Chile. Here, we report two new hosts for B. (A.) angustifrons (Aldrich, 1916): T. melanoptera McNeill, 1901, in New Mexico, USA, and T. pallidipennis (Burmeister, 1838), in California, USA. The records are described herein, including illustrations and diagnostic characters of both hosts and their parasitoid fly. These findings significantly expand the known host range for this Nearctic parasitoid and contribute to the limited understanding of host–parasitoid dynamics in this ecologically important genus of grasshoppers.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.166724

Authors: Scott B. Ferguson, Colm P. Roster, Michael O'Hara, Alaina J. Hogue, Hannah J. Reid, William D. Brown

Abstract: The praying mantid Tenodera sinensis (Saussure, 1871) is widely distributed and a popular species for studying many aspects of mantid biology. In this study, ten microsatellite loci were characterized both by hybridization capture from genomic DNA and by bioinformatic identification of tetranucleotide repeats from a draft genome. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 13, and heterozygosity ranged from 0.35 to 0.94. Allelic variation from a single locus was used to demonstrate multiple paternity in a wild clutch of T. sinensis.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.165233

Authors: Roberto Battiston, William Di Pietro, Federico Boscato, Antonio Fasano

Abstract: The Asian mantises Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera are known alien species rapidly spreading in the last few years in the Mediterranean and continental Europe, especially in urban and suburban habitats, although their invasive nature is debated. This study investigated the first set of impacts of these species on European ecosystems, measuring the prolificacy and reproductive potential with inferences on native mantises, the presence of positive and negative interactions with other species—both as prey and predators—and other peculiar behaviors leading to possible ecosystemic impacts. Laboratory data has shown high reproductive output, with H. tenuidentata hatching on average 209 nymphs per ootheca, about twice that of the native Mantis religiosa, and low cannibalism rates during first instars, supporting rapid and competitive population growth. Behavioral tests revealed reproductive interference: M. religiosa males are attracted to Hierodula females and are therefore preyed upon, a “fatal attraction” that may reduce mating success in native species. A large set of citizen science reports (over 2,300 records) document Hierodula predation on a wide range of native species, from pollinators to small vertebrates often protected by EU legislation, such as Podarcis muralis and Hyla perrini. Hierodula mantises show trophic generalism, preying on a wide range of insect taxa and occasionally competing with native mantises or even hornets, revealed to be their main natural predators. Their use of human-modified environments and artificial refuges highlights their adaptability. The different impacts recorded and measured here are discussed within the IUCN criteria for invasive species, confirming the Hierodula in Europe as invasive alien species.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.167597

Authors: Johannes Strauß, Claudia Hemp, Klaus-Gerhard Heller

Abstract: The scolopidial accessory organ is a relatively small and compact chordotonal organ consisting of mechanosensory scolopidial sensilla. The accessory organ is placed in the tibia next to the larger subgenual organ in several Orthoptera. In other orthopteroid insects, the accessory organ detects substrate vibrations in low frequency ranges. Among Tettigonioidea katydids or bush-crickets, the accessory organ has been described so far in only a few species. The peripheral nerve pattern for the two chordotonal organs usually includes two separate nerve branches for each sensory organ. Within the Phaneropterinae (leaf katydids or sickle-bearing bush-crickets), some differences occur as the accessory organ can share a single nerve branch with the subgenual organ. Here, the accessory organ in two phaneropterine species of the East African genus Gonatoxia, G. immaculata Karsch, 1889, and G. helleri Hemp, 2016, is investigated. The aim is to document the accessory organ and its nerve pattern for further tettigonioid species and to provide a first report for species from the Holochlorini. The accessory organ was present in both species in all leg pairs. The number of sensilla was 5–12. The sensillum numbers were slightly lower in G. helleri than in G. immaculata. The accessory organ has a nerve branch that is separate from the nerve branch for the posterior subgenual organ. This neuroanatomy, including the nerve pattern, is similar to most other tettigonioids. The findings support the occurrence of the accessory organ among the different subgroups of Phaneropterinae, and in Tettigonioidea at large, and raise the possibility of behaviorally relevant vibrational inputs.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.169103

Authors: Benjamín Jarčuška, Matúš Búci, Anton Krištín

Abstract: The observation of mating between species of different genera in field conditions is extremely rare. Here, we report an instance of heterospecific copulation between a male of the Nagy’s mountain grasshopper (Pseudopodisma nagyi) and a female of the green mountain grasshopper (Miramella alpina), which was observed in subalpine grasslands in the Veľká Fatra Mountains in central Slovakia. After being transferred to the laboratory, the female laid egg pods. This finding supports the hypothesis that the two species are closely related and suggests the need for a taxonomic revision within the tribe Podismini. If it occurs more often, reproductive interference may impact the viability of populations of both the green mountain grasshopper and Nagy’s mountain grasshopper populations wherever they are in contact. Further data are needed to test whether reproductive interference reduces the viability of their syntopic populations.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.154165

Authors: Eber Moreno Castillo, Alba R. Dueñas-Cedillo, Manuel De Luna, Marisela Pando-Moreno, Roberto Garibay-Orijel, Francisco Armendáriz-Toledano, Rodolfo J. Cancino-López

Abstract: Specimens of webspinners (order Embioptera) of the family Oligotomidae from two biological collections in Mexico were examined (n = 431), revealing a greater state-level distribution than previously recorded for the three species of the genus Oligotoma. Oligotoma humbertiana is newly recorded for the states of Baja California Sur, Ciudad de México, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Veracruz, and Yucatán; Oligotoma nigra is newly recorded for Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, and Colima; and Oligotoma saundersii is newly recorded for Coahuila, Colima, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Sonora, Veracruz, and Yucatán. An illustrated key that includes Haploembia solieri and the three aforementioned species of Oligotoma is proposed.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.159566

Authors: Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Ming Kai Tan, Izz Amirul Azizan, Nurul Ashikin Abdullah

Abstract: A recent scientific expedition held in Gunung Arong Forest Reserve (GAFR) in Mersing, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia was conducted to document the species richness of Orthoptera. This survey aimed to fill knowledge gaps in Orthoptera from Malay Peninsula, in which traditionally little is known for Johor state compared to Pahang state in the north and Singapore to the south. Opportunistic surveys along selected trails culminated in a total of 62 taxa representing 12 families. Our study revealed a wider distribution for some species thought to be endemic to Singapore—Singapuriola, Ectatoderus angusticollis Chopard, 1969, Ornebius xinyao Tan, 2015, and Cesasundana lorniensis Tan, 2014. Likewise, Odontogryllodes undatus Tan, Muhammad & Abdullah, 2024 and Parendacustes (Parendacustes) aduncus Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, 2024 are two species only recently discovered from Panti Forest Reserve that were also found in GAFR.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.152281

Authors: Edassery Sageer Thasnim, Chenthamarakshan Bijoy, Dhaneesh Bhaskar

Abstract: The Kole wetlands of Kerala is a unique wetland ecosystem, a designated Ramsar site and a high-value biodiversity area, yet its insect fauna has not been thoroughly studied. Tetrigidae (pygmy grasshoppers) are a taxonomically complicated group under Orthoptera, which is not well explored in Kerala. The present survey was conducted in the Kole wetlands of Kerala from January 2021 to January 2024 and found 12 morphospecies under 8 genera. Genera Tetrix and Thoradonta were reported for the first time from the state. A generic level key for the identification of pygmy grasshoppers of the Kole wetlands is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.158842

Authors: Vitor Tonon de Almeida, Silvio Shigueo Nihei, Pedro G. B. Souza-Dias, Lucas Denadai de Campos

Abstract: Apterotrypa Gorochov, 2017 is a genus with notable diagnostic characteristics, such as the absence of wings and acoustic communication, traits generally essential for crickets. Exclusive to the neotropical region, Apterotrypa was recently elevated from subgenus to genus and currently includes only three described species. In this study, three new species of Apterotrypa are described based on detailed morphological analyses of adult males and females. The species A. assymmetrica Tonon & Campos, sp. nov., A. hepatica Tonon & Campos, sp. nov., and A. endolongata Tonon & Campos, sp. nov. represent the first records of the genus in Brazil, collected in Pacoti (State of Ceará), Itamaraju (State of Bahia), and Corupá (State of Santa Catarina), respectively. These findings double the number of known species in the genus to six and significantly expand its geographical range from northern to southern South America. Additionally, an updated identification key and a distribution map for the genus are presented. New insights into the biology of Apterotrypa, including potential behaviors, communication, and reproduction strategies, are discussed based on morphological observations and comparisons with related taxa.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.137718

Authors: Mathew L. Brust, JoVonn Hill

Abstract: Bruner (1893) reported Melanoplus borealis (Fieber, 1853) as occurring in Nebraska. However, prior to 2007, the species was known from Nebraska by only eight specimens that were all collected prior to 1900. This grasshopper species remained undetected in Nebraska for over a century thereafter. In 2007, a series of M. borealis was collected in a wetland area near North Platte, Nebraska . Since 2007, M. borealis has been found at several sites across seven Nebraska counties.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.154648

Authors: Ole-Kristian Odin Schall, Martin Husemann

Abstract: A new species of Parelcana Handlirsch, 1906, Parelcana xena sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The specimen consists of a well-preserved wing apparatus and parts of the thorax including pro- and mesothoracic legs. It stands out by its unusual morphology of the tegminal CuA + CuPaα fused to MP, which is suggested to be caused by individual variation. Additionally, the second species of the genus Longioculus Poinar, Gorochov & Buckley, 2007 is reported. Longioculus burmensis Poinar, Gorochov & Buckley, 2007 was the first Elcanidae Handlirsch, 1906 to be described from Burmese amber and pioneer of the many that were to follow. The new species Longioculus poinari sp. nov. is a female specimen in very good condition. Based on the new specimen's free 1A, CuPb, and CuPaβ, the genus Longioculus is assigned to the subfamily Archelcaninae Gorochov, Jarzembowski & Coram, 2006. The metatibial spurs of the new species L. poinari, which are not preserved in the holotype of L. burmensis, are leaf-like. Longioculus poinari differs from L. burmensis in some aspects of the metatibial armature. The new species increases the diversity of Burmese amber Elcanidae, raising their total species to 23.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.161638

Authors: Edward H. Lee, Joanna Y. Kim, Jaeeun Lee, Nathan Cook, Brianna Heggeseth, Luana S. Maroja

Abstract: In Gryllus, mate choice is known to exist in both sexes. Because of the added cost of mate selection, most models assume that mate choice has benefits that outweigh these costs. Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus have sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles: Males have a relatively homogenous and simple profile, whereas females are more variable, and some individuals resemble the profile of males (“male-like” females). Previous studies have shown that males in captivity exhibit mate choice and prefer females with a more male-like profile, courting and mating with them more promptly. In this study, both species were used to test whether CHC serve as a signal of female fertility and whether females with a male-like CHC profile mate more often in the field. We captured field-mated females, scored their CHC profiles, and used seven highly polymorphic microsatellites to assign paternity to their broods. We report on the number of sires for field-caught females and demonstrate that male-like females are not more fertile and do not mate more often in the field. We also show that the allocation of sperm does not seem to follow a fair raffle: A few males dominate the brood composition of field-caught mated females.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.140770

Authors: Ole-Kristian Odin Schall, Ulrich Kotthoff, Martin Husemann

Abstract: A new species of the Burmese amber genus Pseudopanorpidium Schall, Willmott, Kotthoff & Husemann, 2025 is described as P. inversa sp. nov. Its name is derived from the inverse color scheme of the wings: the dark wing spots and wing margin usually found on the forewings of elcanids are located on the hindwings in the new species. Additionally, a new member of the Archelcaninae Gorochov, Jarzembowski & Coram, 2006 is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Thagyaminana atawedeia gen. et sp. nov. is the third member of the subfamily to be reported from this origin and the first among them to show three branches of M between CuA + CuPaα and the stem of RP.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.148862

Authors: Bernardo R. Ferraz, Renan S. Olivier, Pedro G. B. Souza-Dias

Abstract: Acanthopidae is the third most diverse family within the Neotropical praying mantids with its genera presenting a high similarity with dry leaves in different levels of senescence or lichens and moss. It has nine genera that have received numerous taxonomic treatments throughout the history of Neotropical mantises’ studies. One of those genera, Decimiana Uvarov, 1940, was revised by Lombardo (2000) and, since then, three species have been added to the genus. In this study, we recorded two species of dry-leaf praying mantids, Decimiana tessellata (Charpentier, 1841) and Decimiana hebardi Lombardo, 2000, for the first time for Mato Grosso do Sul state in Midwest Brazil. A description of male genitalia of both species is provided, and the female genitalia of both species are described for the first time, setting the bases for taxonomic comparison across Neotropical Mantodea lineages, contributing to systematics and phylogenetic discussions.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.145107

Authors: Julio C. Estrada-Álvarez, Manuel de Luna, Reinier Núñez-Bazán

Abstract: Fresh material from the enigmatic and poorly known cockroach Antitheton iniquiungues Hebard, 1919, the sole member of the genus Antitheton Hebard, 1919, is revised. The male genitalia is examined and illustrated, and since the genital hook is placed on the right side of the genital complex, its placement in the family Pseudophyllodromiidae Hebard, 1929 is confirmed. Given the morphology of the subgenital plate and the extreme modification of the styli, it is comfortably placed in the subfamily Plectopterinae Saussure & Zehntner, 1893.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.146467

Authors: Tatsuru Kuga, Eiiti Kasuya

Abstract: Various grasshopper species exhibit two modes of locomotion—flying and jumping—when escaping approaching predators. A field experiment on the Japanese rice grasshopper Oxya yezoensis was conducted to identify factors related to the decision of locomotion mode during escape attempt. A human investigator, acting as a predator model, approached each grasshopper three times consecutively. The relationship between locomotion mode and the following factors was examined: grass height, air temperature, and relative humidity as environmental factors; sex, body length, body weight, and wing length as prey traits; persistence in approaches as a predator trait; and flight initiation distance (the distance between predator and prey when the escape behavior is triggered) and distance fled (the distance moved by the prey during escape) as additional escape strategies. The results showed that females escaped by jumping more frequently than males. Moreover, the distances fled by grasshoppers escaping by flying were greater than those of grasshoppers escaping by jumping. Flight initiation distances of grasshoppers that jumped were either shorter than or comparable to those that flew. In the first escape attempt, escape by flying increased with wing length in females, increased with air temperature, and decreased with relative humidity in both sexes. In repeated escape attempts, grasshoppers consistently used the same locomotion mode more frequently than expected if decisions of locomotion modes were made independently. These results indicate that O. yezoensis uses two modes of locomotion depending on various ecological and biological factors in the field.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.131747

Authors: Simon Lamb, Mats Olsthoorn, Dan Burgin, Samantha Ray, Mike Bell, Patrick Crowe

Abstract: Facing the possibility of extinction, three Mercury Island tusked wētā (Motuweta isolata), one male and two females, were translocated in 1998 from Ātiu/Middle Island into captivity to initiate a captive rearing program. Over a period of nine years, their offspring were translocated to multiple islands off the Coromandel Peninsula, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Following the release of M. isolata onto Ohinau Island in 2007, surveys during the first five years post-release showed a limited range expansion of approximately 100 m from the release site, putting the longevity of the translocated population into question. Here, we report on the now island-wide range expansion of translocated M. isolata on Ohinau Island recorded during annual seabird monitoring trips to the island from 2016 to 2023 (9 to 16 years post-translocation). We also document the scavenging of seabird carcasses as a food source in this species. Additional follow-up surveys across the rest of the Mercury Islands and standardized surveys on Ohinau Island are warranted to quantitatively determine the long-term translocation success and ultimately the recovery of the species from near extinction.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.140255

Authors: Josip Skejo, Nadica Vincek, Matjaž Černila, Flavien Ramarolahy, Niko Kasalo

Abstract: The Madagascar boulder pygmy grasshopper, Pseudosystolederus sikorai Günther, 1939, syn. nov. (Tetrigidae: narrow-vertex taxa related to Xistrella), which is the type species of Pseudosystolederus Günther, 1939, is found to be conspecific with Paratettix voeltzkowiana Saussure, 1899. Thus, Pseudosystolederus voeltzkowianus (Saussure, 1899), comb. nov. becomes a new combination and has priority. The Madagascar boulder pygmy grasshopper is unique in its large tooth on the ventral margin of the mid femur and is relatively common on and around large boulders surrounding rivers throughout Madagascar. Photographs and measurements of the syntypes of P. sikorai syn. nov. and P. voeltzkowianus comb. nov. are presented together with new records, photographs of the species in its natural habitat, photographs of the habitat itself, and a brief discussion on the position of the genus Pseudosystolederus within Tetrigidae. Morphopoides lesnei Günther, 1979, comb. rev. is moved from Pseudosystolederus to the original combination.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.150472

Authors: Seiji Tanaka, Tetsuo Arai

Abstract: Adult body size often varies geographically in response to local climatic conditions. The Emma field cricket (Teleogryllus emma) exhibits a reverse Bergmann’s rule pattern, with smaller adults occurring at higher latitudes. This trend was confirmed across populations sampled from 33°N to 41°N. One unique population inhabits the periodically exposed reservoir slopes (RS) of the Oishi Dam, Niigata, Japan. These crickets display significantly reduced body sizes compared to those in the surrounding grasslands. To investigate the underlying causes of this body size reduction, we examined the influence of environmental and genetic factors. Laboratory-reared mid-instar nymphs from the RS grew into larger adults than their field-collected counterparts, suggesting an environmental basis for reduced body size. High temperatures led to smaller adults, while high rearing densities (100 individuals per container) significantly reduced adult size compared to low densities (1–2 individuals). Photoperiod (11–16 hours) also influenced growth: longer daylengths extended development and produced larger adults. Small but significant size differences between the RS and surrounding populations suggest possible genetic differentiation, although further genetic analysis is needed to confirm evolutionary divergence. Delayed hatching at the RS exposes the crickets to shorter daylengths, likely accelerating growth and leading to smaller adults. Year-to-year variation in adult head width in the RS population primarily correlated with nymphal densities rather than temperature. Interestingly, smaller adults laid smaller eggs, yet nymphs from these eggs exhibited compensatory growth, often reaching sizes comparable to those from larger eggs, resulting in no significant correlation between adult body sizes of females and offspring. Overall, body size variation in T. emma at the RS appears to be shaped by both phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental conditions and genetic differentiation. Despite these fluctuations, body size in some populations has remained stable for over half a century, suggesting possible stabilizing selection or genetic constraints.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.150919

Authors: Valeriy Govorov

Abstract: Recent years have seen the arrival of many non-native species of praying mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) around the globe. These introductions are thought to be either accidental, aided by human transport and decorative plants, or a result of expansion of their natural distribution range. The Crimean Peninsula is especially affected by the arrival and colonization of invasive insect species, most of which have no specialized natural enemies. Here, the first findings of the European dwarf mantis (Ameles spallanzania) in the Crimean Peninsula are reported. The species was likely introduced with Savin juniper (Juniperus sabina) plants and was found in a city park and on a private lot in Sevastopol. A morphological comparison of this alien species with the native A. heldreichi is presented, while a molecular investigation of available COI barcodes of A. spallanzania suggests the most likely origin of introduction is the Mani Peninsula, Greece. Both morphological and genetic evidence can be used for the rapid identification of Ameles species in Crimea and for further monitoring of the impact and potential disturbances caused by introduced populations of A. spallanzania on the native ecosystem. No strong molecular support for the subspecific division of A. heldreichi was found.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.149244

Authors: Anton Krištín, Miloš Balla

Abstract: Several thermophilous insect species have shown northward expansion in recent decades, and for some, it is only a matter of the recolonization of historic sites. Acrotylus insubricus and A. longipes are pontic-mediterranean species, and their northern edge is in Central Europe (Slovakia). Between 1890 and 1962, these species were known as rare in southern Slovakia, with A. insubricus found at five sites during that period and A. longipes found only once (1961) in southeastern Slovakia. Despite increased sampling efforts in Slovakia after 1997, A. insubricus was not documented between 1962 and 2019, and A. longipes was not found between 1961 and 2023. In 2016, we began regularly checking 53 sandy habitats in southern Slovakia; A. insubricus was found abundant in two sites in 2019 and in nine sites in 2024 and 2025, while A. longipes was found abundant in two sites in 2023 (Aug 21-Nov 3) and in three in 2024 and 2025 (Jun 21–Oct 25), always accompanied by A. insubricus. Recently, the edge of the northernmost range of A. insubricus in Central Europe was 48.53°N, and for A. longipes, it was 48.40°N. In this paper, we describe the distribution, abundance, phenology, and habitat of both species. Regarding habitat, A. longipes needs sandy bare ground with sparse psammophilous vegetation and impacted frequently by human interference, while A. insubricus is more eurytopic and also occurs on rocky steppes. We found only A. insubricus adults overwintering in all nine sites, but never A. longipes, which is different behavior than that of these species in the southern parts of the range. We suggest that A. insubricus and A. longipes have recolonized historical sites and spread into sandy, human-disturbed habitats.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.148250

Authors: Guilherme Martins Limberger, Duane Barros da Fonseca

Abstract: The perception of acoustic signals is crucial for mate selection and reproductive success in crickets. While the tympanal organs on the fore tibia play a key role in this process, little is known about how aging affects their structural integrity. This study investigated age-related wear on the tympanal organs of female Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis (Fabricius, 1775), comparing young and older adults. We hypothesized that structural degradation of the posterior tympanal membrane (PTM) increases with age, potentially impairing auditory perception. To test this, we conducted an ultrastructural analysis of tympanal damage using scanning electron microscopy. Our results describe a deterioration of the PTM, including excrescence, plaque formation, fungal agglomerates, cracks, and perforations. Additionally, a reduction in the integrity of the surrounding sensory hairs was observed. These findings demonstrate that aging significantly affects the PTM structure in female field cricket, which may ultimately compromise the cricket’s ability to accurately perceive and respond to acoustic cues. Understanding tympanal wear offers valuable insights into the broader impacts of aging on auditory systems. Future research should explore the relationship between tympanal degradation and reproductive success, as well as investigate cellular-level changes using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.143096

Authors: Julio Rivera, Patricio Picón-Rentería, Jose M. Avendaño, Andrea C. Román, Lenyn Betancourt-Cargua

Abstract: The Galápagos Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique biodiversity, faces increasing threats from the introduction of invasive species, particularly insects. This study documents the first record of an alien praying mantis, Liturgusa maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (Liturgusidae), introduced to the Galápagos Islands, marking it as the second mantodean species reported from the archipelago. Liturgusa maya was initially detected through citizen science observations on the iNaturalist platform and taxonomically confirmed through field collections. Its presence in urban and rural areas of Santa Cruz Island since at least 2017, coupled with the apparent parthenogenetic nature of the introduced population, suggests that L. maya became established rapidly following a likely human-mediated introduction. A diagnosis of the species and its ootheca is provided to facilitate in-field identification, its habitat within Santa Cruz Island is delineated, and the potential ecological impacts of this introduction are explored. Additionally, the checklist of Mantodea in the Galápagos is updated, and their distribution is mapped to reflect the new findings. This discovery emphasizes the vulnerability of the Galápagos to biological invasions driven by increased human activity, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management efforts to protect the archipelago’s native and fragile ecosystems.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.145640

Authors: Timothy G. Forrest, Jennifer A. Hamel, C. Tate Holbrook

Abstract: Two new species in the rotundifolia complex of Amblycorypha from the southern Appalachian Mountains of the USA are described. The calling songs and duets of these two phaneropterine katydids are characterized and discussed. Unlike other members of the rotundifolia complex, Amblycorypha zipticka sp. nov. and A. monticola sp. nov. have multicomponent calling songs. The songs of Amblycorypha zipticka sp. nov. have two syllable types that differ in their rates with temperature (1.5/s and 3.8/s at 25oC). Male A. monticola sp. nov. emit syllables that are grouped into regular echemes. Syllable and echeme rates are temperature dependent. Syllable rates of A. monticola sp. nov. are the fastest in the rotundifolia complex (45/s at 25°C). While calling, males of both species produce ticks that resemble the tick responses of females during duets. As predicted, the timing of the males’ ticks within their songs occurs when female replies are expected, and their timing does not change when they call alone or in duets with females. These findings are discussed regarding acoustic countermeasures to competitor eavesdropping and the evolution of signal complexity in the phaneropterines.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.137800

Authors: Bent El Hadi Sba, Imene Djemai, Daniel Petit, Atika Guendouz Benrima

Abstract: The present work analyzed flora and Orthoptera communities in three different plantations in the arid area of El Mesrane, Djelfa Wilaya, Algeria that begun 31 years earlier as means of fixation. The plantations consisted of retam (Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb), tamarix (Tamarix gallica L.) and prickly pear cactus or opuntia (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller). Samplings performed in 2014 recorded 46 plant species and 32 Orthoptera species of which members of the Acrididae family were dominant. Community indices showed a decreasing gradient for both flora and Orthoptera from the retam to the opuntia to the tamarix plantation. Likewise, a growing proportion of plants were linked to mobile sands in the same gradient. The retam plantation having the highest flora diversity is mainly due to the therophytes of European open tufts and plants belonging to perennial xerophile fallow lands. The rarest species of grasshoppers are mainly present in the retam plantation, in contrast to the tamarix plantation where half of the characteristic species are among the most common, suggesting that specialist and generalist species are not distributed randomly but rather to the stability of the habitat.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.154843

Authors: Tim Gardiner, Emily Crisp

Abstract: Rewilding aims to restore ‘self-willed’ ecosystems involving the creation of habitat subject to stochastic disturbance, connected by favorable corridors for dispersal of animals including insects. Herbivores such as the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber (Linnaeus, 1758) have been reintroduced in the UK to promote natural flood management as part of a rewilding strategy. At Spains Hall in Finchingfield (south-east England), beavers were released into two large enclosures (both c. 20 ha) in March 2023 which were concurrently reverting from arable farmland to riparian meadow. Monitoring of Orthoptera 15–18 months after release in June-September 2024 revealed statistical evidence that the abundance of the two localised groundhoppers, Tetrix subulata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tetrix undulata (Sowerby, 1806), and the lesser marsh grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus (De Geer, 1773), was higher in the beaver enclosure meadows than in the control plots. The Essex Red Data List species, the common green grasshopper Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus, 1758), was also recorded within the beaver meadows. The damming of the watercourse in one enclosure led to the creation of new off-line lotic channels and wet ground which were important for these species, particularly bare mud margins which were used by groundhoppers (Tetrigidae). There was also evidence that meadows on the east side of the river had a greater abundance of long-winged conehead Conocephalus fuscus (Fabricius, 1793) and T. subulata than the west, perhaps due to the sheltered microclimate and wetland features on this side of the channel, particularly in the beaver enclosures. We conclude that in enclosures on former arable farmland Orthoptera may respond to damming which quickly creates beaver meadows in flooded areas within the first two years of release. However, only one enclosure had dams in this study so the effects of beavers may be dependent on variables such as habitat quality and watercourse characteristics.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.141073

Authors: Charly Oumarou-Ngoute, Hojun Song, Ricardo Mariño-Pérez, Brandon M. Woo, Jackson Linde, C.H.F. Rowell

Abstract: The genus Pterotiltus Karsch, 1893 currently contains 18 described species. The genus is distributed in West, Central, and East Africa from Ghana to the Congo basin as far as Western Uganda. Pterotiltus bioko sp. nov. is described from specimens recently collected on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. A key to Pterotiltus species is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.137613

Authors: Claudia Hemp, Bruno Massa, Klaus-Gerhard Heller

Abstract: Three new species of Eurycorypha Stål, 1873 are described, originating from Tanzania and Ghana. E. willschi from Ghana is widespread throughout central and west Africa, while the two species from Tanzania, E. spicula and E. paraspicula, are restricted to specific mountain ranges within the Eastern Arc Mountains. Two of the species were reared from nymphs, providing valuable data on their nymphal development and diet. The male songs represent amplitude patterns previously unknown in the bioacoustically hyperdiverse genus Eurycorypha. In the two species with known duets, the females were found to respond shortly after the male songs, while in E. willschi, they responded only after one of the two elements of the male song. How habitat drives speciation even in fully alate species is discussed, reflecting the extent and isolation of certain habitats. The wing shape of Eurycorypha species also appears influential; rounder, less flight-active species tend to be more restricted than elongate species in expansive habitats.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.134957

Authors: Alex Baranowski

Abstract: Within ecosystems, heterotrophs are limited by food availability and quality. Likewise, predator fitness is influenced by prey health and nutrition: Unhealthy prey can sicken their predators either through disease or nutritional inadequacy, while healthy prey can hasten predator development and enhance fecundity. Traditionally, studies on the effects of prey nutrition on predator fitness have been biased toward the larger stages, where prey-size limitations are less. However, insect fitness is affected by nutrition during all life stages. This study assessed the effect of flies fed either a standard diet (one that allowed for completion of the prey life cycle) or an enriched diet (higher in proteins, fats, and fiber) on early instar performance measures in two mantis species from different families. In both species, early development time was shorter by up to 2 days in the groups feeding on diet-enriched prey, and survival to the third instar was marginally higher. In Creobroter apicalis (Saussure, 1869) (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae), survival to the second instar was significantly higher in nymphs fed Drosophila hydei (Sturtevant, 1921) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) that had received an enriched diet, and the first and second instar durations were significantly shorter. Meanwhile, in Tenodera sinensis (Saussure, 1871) (Mantodea: Mantidae), neither survival to the second instar nor second instar duration were significantly affected by prey diet. These results show that prey feeding on a more nutritious diet (one higher in proteins and fats) can improve predator growth and survival rates but that different species have different responses to these factors.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.140630

Authors: Kaan Yılmaz, Hasan Sevgili

Abstract: The presence of Miomantis paykullii has been identified for the first time in Türkiye, Cyprus, and Spain, while Ameles spallanzania has been identified for the first time in Slovakia, Romania, Luxembourg, and Türkiye. Records from social media and citizen science platforms suggest that the spread of these species may be influenced by human activities, particularly transportation and landscaping, similar to previously proposed hypotheses, as all observations were made in anthropogenic areas. Considering previous reports and new records related to these two species, researchers should pay attention to their ability to adapt easily to new regions and their potential to become invasive.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.138202

Authors: Aleksandrs Balodis, Rūta Starka, Dmitry Telnov

Abstract: The first observations of myrmecophilous ant cricket Myrmecophilus acervorum (Panzer, 1799) and the family Myrmecophilidae from Latvia are presented. The observations were made in two locations subject to flooding in springtime. Adult and juvenile female individuals were observed. The discussed records appear to be the northernmost known distribution limit of this species.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.144016

Authors: Rob Felix, Annelies Jacobs, Michel Lecoq

Abstract: The Monte Gordo Grasshopper Eyprepocprifas insularis, considered extinct, was rediscovered on the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde, in 2023. This unique brachypterous grasshopper is a “living fossil” endemic to the archipelago. This paper provides updated taxonomic information, describes the female for the first time, examines habitat characteristics and the impact of human activity, and proposes an IUCN Red List status. The study emphasizes the need for further research on this resilient yet threatened species.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.134361

Authors: Martin Husemann, Ole-Kristian Odin Schall, Kei Uchida, Ulrich Kotthoff

Abstract: A new genus and species of fossil Eumastacoidea Burr, 1899 from Kachin amber is described. Burmeumastax lexiae gen. et sp. nov. is the 14th member of this superfamily known from fossil material and only the third to predate the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, following Archaeomastax jurassicus Sharov, 1968 and Taphacris turgis Lin, 1980. Most fossil species of Eumastacoidea were reported based mainly on wings, with B. lexiae being only the second species with most parts of the body well preserved, predating the only other species in this condition by ca. 80 Myr. Burmeumastax lexiae is brachypterous with a body morphology similar to extant species of apterous Eumastacoidea. However, its last abdominal tergite consists of seven separate plates, whereas this structure is made up of only one or two plates in modern-day species. Because Eumastacoidea taxonomy based on morphology relies heavily on internal genital structures, the position of B. lexiae within the Eumastacoidea is uncertain. Since the orthopteran fauna of the Burma Terrane appears to be influenced by South American-Gondwana (based on the high diversity of Tridactyloidea Brullé, 1835 and the Elcanidae Handlirsch, 1906 found in Burmese amber compared to deposits of the Crato-Formation from Brazil), it is speculated that B. lexiae may belong to Eumastacidae Burr, 1899, as this is the only family of Eumastacoidea with a wide distribution across South America. The new species provides remarkable insights into the early evolution of Eumastacoidea and further highlights the insect diversity of the Burma Terrane.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.124604

Authors: Mathew L. Brust, Charles Bomar, Alexander J. Harman

Abstract: The last update to the Wisconsin county-level distribution records for Wisconsin short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae and Romaleidae) was in 2005. Since then, the first author has done periodic collecting and photography in Wisconsin and has acquired a significant number of new county records. In addition, new online resources such as BugGuide and iNaturalist have become useful and mostly reliable sources of data. Using this combination of sources, we have compiled 99 new county records, increasing the number of county records by at least 20% for the following species: Dendrotettix quercus (Packard) (9 to 14), Dichromorpha viridis (Scudder) (14 to 23), Melanoplus fasciatus (Walker) (11 to 17), Melanoplus scudderi (Uhler) (3 to 5), Melanoplus viridipes Scudder (23 to 33), Melanoplus walshii Scudder (20 to 27), Stethophyma lineata (Scudder) (3 to 4), and by over 50% for Melanoplus punctulatus (Scudder) (10 to 30). In addition, a species new to Wisconsin, Melanoplus gracilis (Bruner), was photographed in three counties between 2020 and 2024. These examples suggest that some grasshopper species are likely overlooked in the state, particularly those associated with woodlands.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.137349

Authors: Ming Kai Tan, Jewel Anne G. Salvador, Olga Macas Nuñeza, Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Nurul Ashikin Abdullah, Rodzay Abdul Wahab, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho, Sheryl A. Yap, Trung Thanh Vu, Tuong Cat Thi Truong, Thai Hong Pham, Razy Japir, Arthur Y. C. Chung

Abstract: Flower visitation by orthopterans, particularly by taxa from Southeast Asia, was only recently brought to light in a report on the diversity and network of 41 orthopteran taxa from Southeast Asia visiting flowers of 35 plant taxa. Continued efforts to document flower visitation by orthopterans have led to 104 new incidences of flower visitation by orthopterans, including 17 new orthopteran taxa. A total of 247 incidences of 58 flower-visiting orthopteran taxa visiting 71 genera of flowers are reported here. In accordance with previous studies, the subfamily Phaneropterinae remains the most prominent flower-visiting orthopterans reported in Southeast Asia and is very likely undisputedly floriphilic. Using a dataset from previous years, the phylogenetic signals of flower-visiting orthopterans and the floral traits of the plant taxa visited are also discussed. However, we recommend caution against drawing too much inference at present owing to the unresolved phylogenetic relationships between the taxa involved and the incompleteness of the current dataset. Therefore, this paper primarily offers an updated list of flower-visiting orthopteran taxa and the flowers they visited. For a more comprehensive understanding of the flower-visiting orthopterans in the region and their ecological impacts, continued natural history research is needed.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.122095

Authors: Kazuhisa Yamasaki, Yuki G. Baba

Abstract: Prey–predator interaction is a phenomenon important to our understanding of community dynamics. Mantises and web-weaving spiders are predators that belong to the same guild, and they can be each other’s predator and prey. However, their relationship is generally asymmetrical, with spiders often being the prey of the mantises. Here, we report a rare opposite case in which an adult female mantis, Hierodula chinensis Werner, 1929, was preyed upon by the orb-web weaving spider Gibbaranea abscissa (Karsch, 1879), without using a web, in a late autumn field in Japan. We suggest that differences in cold tolerance allowed the small spider to hunt a mantis prey that was approximately eight times its size.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.130377

Authors: Luca Anselmo

Abstract: Floodplains are considered among the most endangered land types on a global scale. Only a few natural and semi-natural floodplains remain in the European Alps and are currently considered threatened. This study focused on Chorthippus (Glyptobothrus) pullus (Philippi, 1830), a small grasshopper widely considered an indicator of well-preserved riverine habitats. In the European Alps, this species now survives alongside very few watercourses, showing an increasingly rarefied and fragmented distribution due to habitat loss, mainly caused by artificial flow regulation. Presence data were collected in the upper Susa Valley (NW Italy) along transects positioned in floodplains and constrained reaches of the Dora Riparia and Dora di Bardonecchia rivers. A species distribution model was implemented using topographic variables and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived from remote sensing. Suitability and connectivity maps were produced to identify key conservation areas. Furthermore, the times of colonization, persistence, and extinction of this species along the vegetation succession at the patch level were estimated. The study revealed the presence of a significant population of C. pullus in the study area, primarily distributed in large floodplains. Connectivity between suitable areas was limited by the regulation of certain river sections, particularly in urbanized areas. The results confirmed it as a pioneer species, which tends to become extinct in patches when an undisturbed succession reaches an unsuitable stage for the species in about 12 years from bare soil. According to the study results, the conservation of this species depends on the maintenance of large floodable surfaces, which create a mosaic of patches with varying flooding frequencies. Specific recommendations are provided for its long-term conservation in the upper Susa Valley.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.128225

Authors: Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Ming Kai Tan

Abstract: The Orthoptera from Borneo require further research since some areas have never been studied, including parts of Mount Kinabalu in Ranau, Sabah. A five-day survey at Marai Parai and Nunuk in October 2023 revealed 32 species of Orthoptera from nine families. There are at least nine new species records for the Mount Kinabalu region and four new species records for the state of Sabah. Twenty-one out of the 32 species collected are singletons, indicating that many species on Mount Kinabalu are rare and of low abundance or collected during the wrong season. Hence, an annotated and illustrated checklist of the Orthoptera of this region is presented with notes on their taxonomy and, where data are available, on their natural history. With extended sampling, it is expected that more species will be discovered than in this preliminary checklist.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.134391

Authors: Danilo Hegg

Abstract: The Australian genus Pterapotrechus Karny, 1937 (Orthoptera, Gryllacrididae) currently includes three species: Pterapotrechus beta (Griffini, 1909) and P. longicornis (Tepper, 1892) from Australia’s Northern Territory, and P. salomonoides (Karny, 1929) from Southern Queensland. All three species were described from one adult female only, with the male being unknown in each case. None of the three species has been revised since their original descriptions. When a winged raspy cricket was first detected in New Zealand in 1990, it was attributed to the genus Pterapotrechus as an undescribed species. In this paper, the species P. salomonoides is identified based on the original description and on the examination of the holotype. The species is redescribed in detail, and the male is described for the first time. Comparison of morphology and DNA from fresh specimens collected at the type locality confirm that P. salomonoides is the species established in New Zealand. The expansion of the species’ geographic range in New Zealand, aspects of its ecology, and possible impact on native ecosystems are discussed. Pterapotrechus beta is synonymized with P. longicornis after comparison of the holotypes.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.128668

Authors: Laurent Penet, Arléty Roy, Toni Jourdan, Yannick Bellanger, Philippe Lelong

Abstract: Mitigating the biodiversity crisis will require an understanding of how species cope with various human disturbances of habitats ranging from fully natural environments to areas with higher anthropization levels. In this study, we investigated how the local demographics of Clonistria guadeloupensis (Redtenbacher) relate to human disturbances such as agricultural fields, roads, and urbanization in Guadeloupe. We sampled the species in diverse environmental situations in the wild, both on and around focal food plants, and recorded the habitat characteristics. We subsequently analyzed the demography of the juvenile, subadult, and adult stages. We found minimal impact of anthropization factors, with a tendency of the species to be associated with habitats with greater anthropization levels, possibly because such habitats are generally more open. We also found variation in local aggregation levels of the developmental stages, which may reflect bias in dispersal during the adult stage in which males are highly motile. Overall, the species shows ecological preferences appropriate for coexistence within areas of human disturbance.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.130082

Authors: Ole-Kristian Odin Schall, Ulrich Kotthoff, Martin Husemann

Abstract: Two new genera of Elcanidae Handlirsch, 1906 are described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Adelphellca simplicissima gen. et sp. nov. is based on a well-preserved forewing and metathoracic leg with leaf-like metatibial spurs. It is placed in the subfamily Elcaninae Handlirsch, 1906 due to its wing venation feature of fused 1A + CuPb + CuPaβ. The species Probaisselcana zhengi Gu et al., 2022 is suggested to be removed from Probaisselcana due to its long anal margin between CuA + CuPaα and MP and instead is placed in Adelphellca gen. nov. because its pterostigma without cross veins excludes it from Pseudoprobaisselcana Schall et al., 2025. Kolymbelcana phantasma gen. et sp. nov. is described based on an almost complete female specimen. Like A. simplicissima, it is placed in Elcaninae based on its wing venation, which is similar to Adelphellca. However, the two genera differ in the shape of their ovipositor, which is sword-shaped in Kolymbelcana and scythe-shaped in Adelphellca (based on A. zhengi). The new species increase the number of Elcanidae from Burmese amber to 19.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.131932

Authors: Ming Kai Tan, Cahyo Rahmadi, Tony Robillard

Abstract: Two new genera of Lebinthina (Grylloidea, Eneopterinae, Lebinthini) are described from New Guinea, each genus including a new species: Diablotinthus lengguru Robillard & Tan, sp. nov. and Lutinthus timika Robillard & Tan gen. et sp. nov. Diablotinthus also includes D. ambonensis (Robillard, 2010) comb. nov. A new species of Gnominthus Robillard & Vicente is also described from Hihilai Plantation in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea: G. hihilai Robillard & Tan, sp. nov. The calling song of D. lengguru Robillard & Tan, sp. nov. is also described.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.130822

Authors: Antonio Fasano

Abstract: This study updates the known distribution of Rhombodera latipronotum Zhang, 1990, a mantis species previously documented only in the Yunnan province of China. New findings confirm its presence in the Guangxi autonomous region and the Indo-Chinese states of Laos and Vietnam. The research incorporates both direct analysis of collected specimens and data gathered from citizen-science platforms. These methodologies have allowed for a redefinition of the species’ range in Southeast Asia and have provided new insights into its external morphology and intraspecific variability. Due to its recent description and the limited availability of scientific literature, R. latipronotum remains poorly understood. This study overcomes these limitations by providing the first detailed description of both sexes, highlighting the intraspecific variability of the specimens, and discussing the potential existence of distinct populations within the species. The research also highlights the immense biodiversity within the surveyed regions, emphasizing the need for extensive exploration to fully catalogue the species of the order Mantodea. Understanding the distribution and ecological roles of these mantids is essential for their conservation. The study’s findings contribute to a deeper knowledge of R. latipronotum and underscore the importance of continued biological surveys and conservation efforts in these biodiverse yet underexplored areas of Southeast Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.129911

Authors: Leonardo Polizeli, Ângelo Parise Pinto

Abstract: The blaberids Parahormetica hylaeceps Miranda-Ribeiro, 1936 and Bion mastrucatus Rehn, 1937 were described in the 1930s from single males collected by José Pinto da Fonseca (JPF) in the 1910s. Both specimens came from the region of Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais State, an ecotonal formation between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado domains in southeastern Brazil. Recently, P. hylaeceps was transferred to Bionoblatta Rehn, 1940, and its strong morphological similarity with Bion mastrucatus (already in Bionoblatta) was highlighted, indicating the need to investigate the validity of these names. Here, we addressed this question by analyzing photos of the type material, comparing original descriptions, and examining data on both the collecting site and the collector’s history. We conclude that Parahormetica hylaeceps should be considered a senior synonym of Bion mastrucatus syn. nov.; hence, the valid name should be Bionoblatta hylaeceps (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1936). We also provide a new diagnosis, synonymy, and review of the distribution of this species, finding Bionoblatta hylaeceps to be endemic to the Itacolomi Peak region. We also present a short account of the work of JPF, including his relevance to Brazilian entomology and itinerary for collecting these specimens. Bionoblatta have five poorly known species of blaberids that, despite recent advances in the genus taxonomy, are still pending review.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.126949

Authors: Charly Oumarou Ngoute, C. H. F. Rowell

Abstract: The genus Digentia Stål, 1878 currently has four described species from the tropical forest areas of West Central Africa. Here, we describe a new species, Digentia viridissima sp. nov., and its natural habitat in the swamps of the humid forests of southern Cameroon. Additionally, we include a description of Digentia punctatissima (Stål, 1875) and redescriptions of Digentia rufogeniculata (Bolívar, 1911), Digentia fasciata Ramme 1929, and Digentia karnyi Ramme 1929. We also provide a key to identify the species of the genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.123860

Authors: Nyasha Chikwature, Mary Morgan-Richards, Jessica Vereijssen, Steven A. Trewick

Abstract: Ecology is an essential discipline for understanding the biology and behavior of organisms. This study increased knowledge of three sympatric species of ground wētā (Hemiandrus spp.). Hemiandrus ground wētā are nocturnal Ensifera that live in burrows during the day, and for these reasons, there is limited knowledge of their activity, development, and diet. We examined the diet of Hemiandrus electra, Hemiandrus ‘disparalis’, and Hemiandrus nox by examining the crop contents of specimens caught in malaise traps set in a native forest (St Arnaud) over seven months during two spring-summer-autumn seasons (2004/2005 and 2005/2006). The three species investigated varied in the plant and invertebrate fragment proportions in their diets. Hemiandrus electra and H. ‘disparalis’ were predominantly herbivores, while H. nox was primarily carnivorous, although plant matter constituted 20% of its diet. We identified the species and sex of 966 Hemiandrus wētā that were intercepted by the same malaise traps. Our results showed that H. electra was the most abundant species, with 701 individuals, while 157 and 109 were identified as H. ‘disparalis’ and H. nox, respectively. Surprisingly, the species with maternal care (H. electra) was the only one of the three sympatric Hemiandrus to have an even sex ratio; for the other two species, more males were caught in the traps. Using hind leg dimensions, we categorized each female H. electra specimen using naïve Gaussian mixture model clustering, which identified five size clusters (putatively corresponding to instars). Based on the month of collection and the growth category, we observed no seasonality in the development of this species of ground wētā, as almost all instars were found in each month of the sampling period. This study found no evidence that these nocturnal forest species synchronize their growth or reproduction with seasons.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.114472

Authors: Muhammad Yasin, Amna Khan, Mirza Abdul Qayyum, Hafiz Muhammad Bilal Yousuf, Areej Mehfooz, David Hunter

Abstract: Locusts and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are pests of agricultural importance, devastating crops and pastures. This group includes hundreds of pest species and affects the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide. Their outbreaks can be chronic or episodic, with alternating periods of invasion and recession. Here, we review the natural enemies of locusts and grasshoppers in both their native and invaded ranges across the globe to assess the need for their conservation and maintenance as part of the natural suppression of outbreaks and to augment outbreak suppression as potential biological control agents. More than 70 natural enemies have been reported to attack locusts and grasshoppers, including entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predatory insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Particular attention is given to the well-studied species of locusts and grasshoppers for which more information is available and to natural enemies in the locust-affected countries as part of the recent trend of looking for indigenous natural enemies. Such organisms can play a vital role in integrated pest management strategies for locusts and grasshoppers, particularly entomopathogens that can be incorporated with chemical pesticides into the management system. Among the organisms considered, Metarhizium acridum is noteworthy for inclusion in integrated pest management programs.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.120070

Authors: Szabolcs Varga, Zoltán Kenyeres

Abstract: The primary goal of developing new mark–release–recapture (MRR) methods is to make MMR more cost-effective and able to provide more information. To test the effectiveness of UV fluorescence marking, a case study was carried out on an Isophya costata population occurring in a mown grassland with a heterogeneous vegetation pattern. The marked individuals were examined daily, from the emergence of imagos until the mowing of the habitat. The 40 marked insects (20 males and 20 females) were recaptured in 206 cases over 16 days (32.2% of the potential maximal recaptures). The finding of males was 26.2% successful, and the finding of females was 38.1% successful. Females released in shorter and sparse vegetation were recaptured more than those released in dense vegetation or than males. Recaptures showed a significant decrease during the study period in almost all groups based on Mann–Kendall trend tests. Detections were made on the upper third of the vertical structure of the vegetation in 88% of cases. In most of the detections (males: 70%, females: 62%), the axis of the insect’s body was more likely to be located vertically. The results showed that the chance of detection is significantly reduced when the position of the insect’s body is facing the axis of UV illumination. Thus, the visibility of individuals can be greatly increased by marking all sides of the body.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.116137

Authors: Oscar J. Cadena-Castañeda, Diego A. Gomez-Morales, Orlando Acevedo-Charry, Jose Luis Benavides-López

Abstract: Herein, we describe the genus Dentotibium gen. nov. and the species D. ramucantoris sp. nov, a toothed foretibia katydid within the subfamily Pseudophyllinae from Colombia. This new katydid is a forest dweller inhabiting oak woodlands between 1600 and 2300 m above sea level, only found in the western slopes of the Eastern Andes of Boyacá Department, Colombia. This new species burrows in woody branches and shows big heads in both sexes. The appearance of Dentotibium gen. nov. is similar to that of Trichotettix Stål, 1873 but differs in having tubercles over the dorsal margin of the foretibiae. It is also close to Nastonotus Bolívar, 1890, but differs from in lacking the three black stripes in the vertex and having a less marked frontal suture and smoother face. Males sing all night long, and their calling song consists of periodic syllables with three differentiable phases. Seasonal calling activity lowers remarkably during the dry season (Jun–Aug). DNA barcoding sequences for the paratypes made available in a previous study are included here.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.119897

Authors: Tim Gardiner, Dorothy Casey

Abstract: Rewilding aims to restore ‘self-willed’ ecosystems involving the creation of habitats subject to stochastic disturbance connected by favorable corridors for dispersal of animals, including insects. Reversion of arable land to grassland and scrub habitats adjacent to Arger Fen nature reserve in Suffolk (southeast England) through non-intervention allowed succession to occur largely unmanaged on fields with differing topography, from flat terrain to slopes. Monitoring of Orthoptera revealed statistical evidence that species diversity and richness was greater on the steeper slopes (gradient > 10%), while species varied in their topographic preferences from flat terrain (e.g., long-winged conehead Conocephalus fuscus Fabricius, 1793) to slopes (e.g., field grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus Thunberg, 1815). Lagomorph grazing by the wild brown hare Lepus europaeus (Pallas, 1778) and the rabbit Oryctoloagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) appeared to be critical in maintaining exposed soil for hillside species such as C. brunneus, which may require the egg-laying and basking habitat. A mosaic of scrub and grassland on a wooded hillside affected by ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Baral et al. 2014) was also important for Orthoptera. We postulate that rewilding schemes on arable land may be particularly effective when there are topographic undulations incorporating flat and hillside areas to promote the greatest diversity of Orthoptera.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.108536

Authors: Takashi Kuriwada

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the mating behavior of the sandy beach-dwelling ground cricket, Dianemobius csikii (Bolívar, 1901) (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae, Nemobiinae). The calling songs of males were recorded, and the temporal structures of the songs were analyzed. Subsequently, the courtship song and mating behavior of cricket pairs were observed. The calling song consisted only of monotonous chirps, while the courtship song consisted of similar chirps and ticks consisting of a single pulse. Dianemobius csikii exhibited a relatively longer courtship duration than other cricket species. The female stayed with the male for approximately 25 min while the male emitted the courtship song. The male then changed to the trill song, which is a continuous song, just before copulation. Copulation occurred within 10–40 s of the male emitting the trill song. The courtship behavior differs from that of other well-studied cricket species, such as Gryllinae. The findings of this study provide insight into the mating behaviors of crickets.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.118937

Authors: Ebru Kıran Özdemir, Hasan Sevgili, Emine Bağdatlı

Abstract: This study investigates the variations in body size, bioacoustic traits, and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles in different populations of the bush cricket species Isophya autumnalis Karabağ, 1962. Within-population body size variations, particularly those associated with distinct habitat differences and climate shifts within their local distribution ranges, suggest that ecological factors affect morphological characteristics. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in I. autumnalis may affect reproductive behavior and strategies, potentially influenced by the bioacoustic environment. While male calling songs exhibit temporal variations across populations, suggesting differences among allopatric populations, CHC profiles, known to undergo selection under various climatic conditions, also vary noticeably across local populations. These findings highlight the importance of understanding within-species variations for the conservation of Isophya and similar taxa in the face of habitat threats. Overall, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how morphology and bioacoustic behavioral traits are shaped over short distances in allopatric populations of species with limited mobility, such as I. autumnalis, providing insights into adaptation processes and highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts for endemic species in Anatolia.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.114799

Authors: Manuel de Luna, Erick Hernández-Baltazar, Iker Cubillos Macías

Abstract: The stick-like mantis Angela miranda Saussure, 1871 (Mantodea, Angelidae) is newly recorded for the state of Chiapas in Mexico as well as for the department of Izabal in Guatemala, and the female is newly described. A re-examination of material from the Colección Nacional de Insectos (CNIN) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) labeled as Angela miranda and recorded from Tabasco, Mexico, was conducted, revealing that they were misidentified, belonging instead to the genus Phasmomantis Saussure, 1869 (Mantidae: Stagmomantinae). Finally, Angela perpulchra Westwood, 1889 and Angela championi Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 are hereby relegated as junior synonyms of Angela miranda.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.111057

Authors: Mattia De Vivo

Abstract: Due to the pet and goods trade, several animals are now present in regions outside of their traditional native ranges. A peculiar situation has arisen in mantises, insects that are becoming more popular as pets: two genera (Hierodula and Tenodera) have begun to spread around the world, with two Hierodula species overlapping in Europe and two Tenodera species doing the same in North America. Such an event can lead to possible competition with both local taxa and alien congeneric sister species; the latter may reduce the impact of one of the invaders. Additionally, the situation allows the comparisons of niche shifts in displaced mantises, allowing us to understand whether such animals respect general patterns shown in terrestrial ectothermic invasive species. To do this, I adapted scripts from previous publications for analyzing niche overlap (Schoener’s D), niche expansion (E), and unfilling (U) through the centroid shift, overlap, unfilling, and expansion (COUE) scheme using presence records from GBIF and iNaturalist Research-Grade observations and bioclimatic variables available in BIOCLIM, selected according to variance inflation factor (VIF) values. I also evaluated the overlap between the sister species in the non-native range with D. Overall, there was relatively high niche expansion and unfilling patterns shared among the taxa, although species tended to have low abiotic overlap between native and alien ranges, and a relatively high niche overlap was present among congeneric species in the shared non-native area. However, such analyses may be biased due to chosen variables, taxonomic uncertainty, and lack of information on mantises’ ecology; particularly, the situation regarding H. tenuidentata/transcaucasica should be monitored and clarified, given the higher potential invasion risk of these species compared to other mantises and the uncertainties regarding which populations have reached Europe. Additionally, the biology of alien mantises should be studied in more detail in both native and non-native environments given the current critical lack of information.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.112803

Authors: Mira Word Ries, Chris Adriaansen, Shoki Aldobai, Kevin Berry, Amadou Bocar Bal, Maria Cecilia Catenaccio, Maria Marta Cigliano, Darron A. Cullen, Ted Deveson, Aliou Diongue, Bert Foquet, Joleen Hadrich, David Hunter, Dan L. Johnson, Juan Pablo Karnatz, Carlos E. Lange, Douglas Lawton, Mohammed Lazar, Alexandre V. Latchininsky, Michel Lecoq, Marion Le Gall, Jeffrey Lockwood, Balanding Manneh, Rick Overson, Brittany F. Peterson, Cyril Piou, Mario A. Poot-Pech, Brian E. Robinson, Stephen M. Rogers, Hojun Song, Simon Springate, Clara Therville, Eduardo Trumper, Cathy Waters, Derek A. Woller, Jacob P. Youngblood, Long Zhang, Arianne Cease

Abstract: Locusts and other migratory grasshoppers are transboundary pests. Monitoring and control, therefore, involve a complex system made up of social, ecological, and technological factors. Researchers and those involved in active management are calling for more integration between these siloed but often interrelated sectors. In this paper, we bring together 38 coauthors from six continents and 34 unique organizations, representing much of the social-ecological-technological system (SETS) related to grasshopper and locust management and research around the globe, to introduce current topics of interest and review recent advancements. Together, the paper explores the relationships, strengths, and weaknesses of the organizations responsible for the management of major locust-affected regions. The authors cover topics spanning humanities, social science, and the history of locust biological research and offer insights and approaches for the future of collaborative sustainable locust management. These perspectives will help support sustainable locust management, which still faces immense challenges such as fluctuations in funding, focus, isolated agendas, trust, communication, transparency, pesticide use, and environmental and human health standards. Arizona State University launched the Global Locust Initiative (GLI) in 2018 as a response to some of these challenges. The GLI welcomes individuals with interests in locusts and grasshoppers, transboundary pests, integrated pest management, landscape-level processes, food security, and/or cross-sectoral initiatives.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.110690

Authors: Jin-Long Ren, Wen-Jing Kang, Jin-Xing Li, Xi Jin, Ke-Xin Li, Li Zhao

Abstract: Feeding habits and competitive interactions among dominant grasshopper species in the Xinjiang grasslands (China) were studied under natural conditions through microscopic analyses of insect crop contents. Sex-specific and interindividual differences in feeding habits and interspecific competition were investigated. Analyses of ecological niche width and overlap revealed potential competition among grasshoppers. The results showed significant difference in the sex-specific variations in the feeding habits of the seven grasshoppers; sex-specific variations in feeding range and preferred plants were observed, with females feeding more extensively on host plants, and female and male adults choosing to feed on different plant species. Individuals of all seven grasshoppers showed different degrees of dietary variance, with oligophagous grasshoppers (Oedaleus decorus males, Dericorys annulata, and Bryodema gebleri males) showing a smaller degree of individual dietary variance than polyphagous grasshoppers (Oedipoda caerulescens, Calliptamus coelesyriensis females, Calliptamus barbarus, and Notostaurus albicornis); Calliptamus coelesyriensis and Notostaurus albicornis showed the greatest individual variance in their diets. Oedaleus decorus, Bryodema gebleri, and Calliptamus barbarus consumed primarily Poaceae and exhibited varying foot-plant choice. For example, Oedaleus decorus was observed to have high- preference feeding for Poa annua, Bryodema gebleri for Stipa capillata, and Calliptamus barbarus for Setaria viridis. Dericorys annulata fed primarily on Amaranthaceae, Notostaurus albicornis fed primarily on Poaceae and Amaranthaceae, and Oedipoda caerulescens fed primarily on Asteraceae. Calliptamus barbarus exhibited strong interspecific competition with Oedaleus decorus and Calliptamus coelesyriensis, and Bryodema gebleri demonstrated the strongest interspecific competition with all six other species. Considering the influence of sex on interspecific competition among grasshoppers enhances our understanding of interspecific competitive relationships.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.115888

Authors: Oscar J. Cadena-Castañeda, Ingmar Landeck, Claudia Hemp

Abstract: A new genus, Minarisoma gen. nov., is described to include three small species of South African distribution: Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. (type species), Minarisoma crassipes comb. nov., and M. tigrinum comb. nov. These species were previously assigned to the genus Onosandrus. Minarisoma gen. nov. marks the ninth genus of king crickets known from southern Africa. A comprehensive key to the identification of species within this newly established taxon is presented. In conclusion, the taxonomic relationships of South African taxa are discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.96043

Authors: Charly Oumarou Ngoute, C.H.F. Rowell

Abstract: The genus Pterotiltus Karsch, 1893 currently includes 12 described species from the equatorial forests of West and Central Africa. Here, we describe two new species from lowland forests of Southern Cameroon: Pterotiltus ngoylaensis sp. nov., and Pterotiltus campoensis sp. nov. We further describe two new species and the previously undescribed female of Pterotiltus minimus Ramme, 1929 from the highland areas of West Cameroon. These highland species share a suite of characters that distinguish them from Pterotiltus; these characters include structures of both the male and female reproductive systems, tegmina not completely regressed, and generally smaller size. To accommodate these differences between the species, we erect the new genus Parapterotiltus gen. nov. with P. minimus as the type species and include in it Parapterotiltus minimoides sp. nov. and Parapterotiltus bamboutos sp. nov.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.112789

Authors: Seiji Tanaka, Makoto Tokuda

Abstract: This study focused on the populations of Locusta migratoria (Linnaeus, 1758) on Tsushima Island, Japan, which exhibited the largest mean adult body size when compared to other populations from various climatic regions. Certain individuals, designated as “giant locusts,” displayed exceptionally large sizes, with females and males identified when with head widths surpassing 10.5 mm and 8.0 mm, respectively. The maximum weight recorded for a giant locust was 8.9 g, in contrast to other examined females with the maximum weight ranging from 3.1 to 5.5 g. Notably, giant females exhibited the ability to yield larger egg pods and progeny compared to their counterparts. A positive correlation emerged between body size of adult females and the number of ovarioles. To explore the potential heritability of body size, selection experiments were conducted across two generations. A significant impact of selection on adult body size was apparent at LD 12:12h, whereas this effect was not evident at LD 16:8h. Furthermore, crossing experiments showed that body size at hatching closely resembled that of the female parent or demonstrated dimensions intermediary between the two parents, suggesting a complex genetic basis for the observed body size variations. This study provides no evidence of genetic differentiation between the giant locusts and the other locusts on this island.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.116173

Authors: Klaus-Gerhard Heller, Claudia Hemp

Abstract: Tettigonioids typically deposit their eggs within the substrate, whether in the soil or in plants. Consequently, these eggs often exhibit a rounded shape with a relatively smooth surface. Despite this, various studies have consistently demonstrated that egg shape is a stable characteristic within species, differing between distinct groups. However, to date, no comprehensive comparative analysis has been conducted, even though regional studies have suggested that the eggs of Phaneropterinae differ from all others. In this study, we present data on the length, width, and height of 352 species and subspecies, including measurements for 158 species that were newly assessed. Our findings substantiate the claim that the eggs of the Phaneropterinae subfamily can be distinguished by their flattened shape. Based on this important and diagnostic characteristic, we advocate for the re-transfer of the genus Brinckiella into Meconematinae. We propose a hypothesis suggesting that the evolution of the flattened egg shape in Phaneropterinae may have conferred advantages during the adhesive process of attaching eggs to plants—an assumed ancestral method of oviposition in this subfamily. Subsequently, these flat eggs found their way onto leaves or into the ground. While some other subfamilies exhibit eggs conforming to the basic tettigonioid shape, they showcase distinct features (e.g., Pseudophyllinae, Mecopodinae). We anticipate that future investigations into the lesser-explored Meconematinae, focusing on the small eggs and the oviposition behavior within this subfamily, will yield intriguing insights.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.113947

Authors: Hugo Miguel Silva, Laura Avivar-Lozano, Gonçalo Gomes, Howon Rhee, Thomas Dellinger, Dora Aguín-Pombo

Abstract: The Madeira and Porto Santo Islands have both witnessed substantial habitat loss since their initial colonization. Despite their small size and the degradation of their natural habitats, they harbor a rich diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, including a significant number of endemic species. While research on Orthoptera fauna has predominantly focused on the largest island of Madeira, the smaller island of Porto Santo has remained relatively understudied. Fieldwork on both islands has led to the discovery of Oecanthus dulcisonans Gorochov, 1993 in the Madeira archipelago (Porto Santo and Madeira) for the first time. This species was described based on specimens collected in Tenerife and the Arabian Peninsula. However, its distribution, which includes parts of Africa, Western Asia, and some localities in Southern Europe, remains poorly understood. Oecanthus dulcisonans is morphologically very similar to Oecanthus pellucens (Scopoli, 1763), the only species of this genus previously recorded for the island of Madeira. Due to this resemblance, doubts have arisen regarding which of these two species is present in Madeira. By examining new material of O. pellucens, we have confirmed the presence of this species on Madeira as well. These new findings highlight the fact that, for these species, the Madeira archipelago represents the western limit of their distributional ranges in the Palearctic region.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.98763

Authors: Robert B. Srygley, Laura B. Senior

Abstract: Mormon crickets Anabrus simplex Haldeman, 1852 are a pest of crops and rangeland in the western United States, but little is known about their development in the egg stage. Mormon crickets have multiple states at which they may diapause and thus affect population growth. Consequently, a series of photographs of Mormon cricket embryonic stages was organized using published research on Old World katydids. Earlier stages were more difficult to distinguish without removing the chorion. However, where possible, features that can be seen through the chorion are indicated with the expectation that these will be useful in characterizing development in living embryos. As with other Orthoptera, the timing of development varied greatly among individuals, but at a minimum, embryos filled approximately half the egg in six weeks, whereas they required 12 weeks from oviposition to reach the final stage before their obligate winter diapause.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.102749

Authors: Seiji Tanaka

Abstract: In central Japan, adult Patanga japonica (Bolívar) grasshoppers overwinter as adults while in reproductive diapause. At this local, February nights fall as low as -7°C, whereas days can exceed 16°C. Adults respond to the diel thermal cycle with daily vertical movements out of and back into leaf litter. This paper documents and discusses the significance of this interesting winter behavior. Temperature strongly influenced the daily vertical movements. Time of morning emergence, duration of aboveground occupancy, and number of adults emerging all highly correlated with current and maximum daily temperatures. In January, adults were immobile at < -1°C but could stand up when their body temperatures reached ~3.7°C. In contrast, adults held outdoors in semi-natural conditions emerged from the litter at ~14°C, suggesting threshold temperatures of ~14°C for morning emergence. The numbers of adults emerging or hiding varied over the winter season. Light also influenced movements. Adults held in horizontal transparent tubes, each with half covered with black paper (D-area) and the other half exposed to light (L-area), moved into the L-area during the day and returned to the D-area in the afternoon. In both cases, movement was into a colder microhabitat, implying that the direction of daily movements was possibly via phototaxis, not thermotaxis. Further experiments suggested that increasing temperatures elicited positive phototaxis, and decreasing temperatures elicited negative phototaxis and that the phototaxis was controlled by the direction, magnitude, and absolute range of the temperature change in P. japonica.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.103790

Authors: Sotiris Alexiou

Abstract: Eupholidoptera kekrops sp. nov. belonging to the E. prasina group, is described from mainland Greece. The new species is the first known member of this group from mainland Greece and mainland Europe. Differentiating morphological characteristics, mainly of the subgenital plate and titilator, are presented.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.115670

Authors: Oscar J. Cadena-Castañeda, Claudia Hemp

Abstract: A new genus, Tryposoma gen. nov., is introduced to accommodate two African anostostomatid species formerly classified under the genus Libanasa Walker (Tryposoma kilomeni (Hemp & Johns) comb. nov. and Tryposoma brachyurum (Karny) comb. nov.). This taxonomic revision includes a key of the species. Detailed discussions on the genital structure of the newly described genus are also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.108456

Authors: Filipe Macedo Gudin, Lucas Denadai de Campos, Darlan Rutz Redü, Francisco de Assis Ganeo de Mello

Abstract: True crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) are often parasitized by tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae). However, the diversity of these parasitoids and their oviposition strategies remain unclear. Although some flies are specialized in locating crickets by their calling songs, such as the phonotactic fly Ormia ochracea (Bigot, 1889), a large portion of the tachinids that attack true crickets show different host search strategies and are adapted to parasitize other orthopteroid insects as well. However, these parasitoids have a complex and challenging taxonomy that precludes further improvement in the understanding of Tachinidae-Orthoptera interactions. Here, we described and illustrated seven new host records in Gryllidae and Phalangopsidae species from Brazil, including notes on the diagnostic characters of each parasitoid and host. An illustrated identification key to Tachinidae genera recorded in Grylloidea is also provided. Finally, all published records of Tachinidae parasitism in true crickets were revised and are presented in an annotated catalog in order to understand the host range and different oviposition strategies of each parasitoid lineage.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.107242

Authors: Seiji Tanaka

Abstract: Adults of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (Linnaeus, 1758) were collected in the Japanese Archipelago, which extends from the Ryukyu subtropical region to the Hokkaido cool-temperate region, covering more than 2,500 km. A saw-toothed pattern was observed in body size along the latitudinal or annual mean temperature gradient, which is similar to Masaki’s clines initially described for crickets. The latitudinal cline of locusts was also observed in the laboratory, suggesting that this cline was primarily due to genetic variation. In the northern univoltine zone, locust body size increased toward the south. The latitudinal size trend was reversed in the transitional zones where the voltinism shifted from univoltine to bivoltine and from bivoltine to trivoltine life cycles. These patterns may be explained by changes in the length of the growing season for development and reproduction. Body size varied with growth efficiency but not with the variable lengths of nymphal development. Larger females had more ovarioles and produced fatter egg pods containing more eggs per pod. The morphometric ratio, F/C (hind femur length/head width), tended to decrease with latitude, but this characteristic could be primarily due to phylogenetic differences between the northern and southern clades. It was confirmed that F/C ratio decreased when the locusts were reared in a group. The sexual size dimorphism, or SSD, tended to increase as the mean body sizes of populations increased, converse to Rensch’s rule. The relative body size of females and males correlated with latitude and was greatly reduced when the insects were reared in a group. The smaller rate of increase at higher latitudes may be related to male–female associations and predation pressure.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.105144

Authors: Josip Skejo, Niko Kasalo, M. Jared Thomas, Sam W. Heads

Abstract: Extant pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) that possess wings have the forewings reduced into scale-like tegmenula, while hind wings remain fully developed. Rusmithia gorochovi gen. et sp. nov. (Tetrigidae, Batrachideinae, Rusmithini trib. nov.) is described based on a single adult female holotype from Lithuanian Baltic amber, from the Bartonian-Priabonian age, some 40 million years ago, and this is the only known tetrigid in which tegmenula or tegmina (the forewings) extend as far as half the length of the hind femur. Besides this very unique trait, other characters of Rusmithia gen. nov. indicate similarity with extant and especially fossil Batrachideinae (genus Danatettix Thomas, Skejo & Heads, 2019). Because of the strong differences this genus and Danatettix have with American Batrachideinae, they are assigned to a new tribe, European Batrachideinae or Rusmithini trib. nov. Acrydium bachofeni (Zeuner, 1937) might belong to this or a sibling genus based on its very long tegmenula or Succinotettix chopardi Piton, 1938, based on its 19-segmented antennae; neither species is tranferred as their types could not be examined.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.100865

Authors: Tatsuru Kuga, Eiiti Kasuya

Abstract: Many grasshopper species produce conspicuous sounds while escaping from approaching predators; however, they occasionally escape without producing sounds. The Chinese grasshopper, Acrida cinerea, often exhibits noisy escape behavior. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted using A. cinerea to identify factors related to the production of sound during escape. This study utilized a predator model with an investigator approaching A. cinerea three times. We examined the relationship between the production of sound during escape and the following factors: ambient temperature and relative humidity as environmental factors; sex, body length, body weight, and limb autotomy as prey traits; and the repeated approach as a predator trait. The relationships between noisy escape and flight initiation distance (i.e., predator-prey distance when the prey initiates the escape), distance fled (i.e., distance the prey covered during the escape), and the mode of locomotion during escape (i.e., flying or jumping) were also examined. Noisy escape was observed only in males that escaped by flying, whereas the females and males that escaped by jumping invariably escaped silently. Among males that flew, noisy escape was related to ambient temperature, limb autotomy, and distance fled. The proportion that produced sound increased in parallel with the ambient temperature and distance fled. This proportion was lower among individuals that had autotomized one of their hind legs. These results indicate that noisy escape behavior is most frequent in healthy male A. cinerea under warm conditions.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.98133

Authors: Seiji Tanaka, Takumi Kayukawa

Abstract: Patanga japonica (Bolívar) shows various body colors in the field. Most nymphs are green in the summer, but some develop non-green colors, such as yellow, white, brown, reddish, and black, in the fall. Nymphs individually reared in white, yellow-green, and black containers showed green, light-green, white, and reddish body colors, and the substrate color significantly influenced the proportions of green nymphs. A few individuals developed black spots and patterns, and such individuals were most frequently observed in the black containers. Nymphs with distinct black patterns were observed when reared in a group of five individuals per container, and the proportion of such individuals varied slightly depending on the brightness of the substrate color. Singly kept nymphs that were allowed to see five other nymphs in another container turned darker than those that were only allowed to see an empty container, suggesting that visual stimuli without mechanical stimulation induced black patterns. In outdoor cages, nymphs tended to develop more pronounced black patterns during their last instar when the hatching date was delayed and the temperature during the later stages of development was decreased. The effect of temperature during the late stadia was tested by transferring a group of third-stadium nymphs from outdoor cool conditions to a high temperature, while other nymphs were continuously maintained outdoors. Markedly melanized individuals were observed in the outdoor cage, whereas the appearance of such individuals was strongly suppressed at a high temperature. Green nymphs injected with synthetic [His7]-corazonin developed black patterns after ecdysis to the following instars and to the adult stage, and some looked indistinguishable in body color from group-reared nymphs. Nymphs injected with this hormone developed black patterns even at a high temperature. Adults looked similar in body coloration with some variation. Their hindwings turned reddish after overwintering. These results demonstrate that P. japonica exhibits body-color pholyphenism.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.90713

Authors: Amy R. Byerly, Clara Jenck, Alexander R. B. Goetz, David B. Weissman, David A. Gray, Charles L. Ross, Luana S. Maroja, Erica L. Larson

Abstract: Patterns of morphological divergence across species’ ranges can provide insight into local adaptation and speciation. In this study, we compared phenotypic divergence among 4,221 crickets from 337 populations of two closely related species of field cricket, Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus, and their hybrids. We found that these species differ across their geographic range in key morphological traits, such as body size and ovipositor length, and we directly compared phenotype with genotype for a subset of crickets to demonstrate nuclear genetic introgression, phenotypic intermediacy of hybrids, and essentially unidirectional mitochondrial introgression. We discuss how these morphological traits relate to life history differences between the two species. Our comparisons across geographic areas support prior research suggesting that cryptic variation within G. firmus may represent different species. Our study highlights how variable morphology can be across wide-ranging species and the importance of studying reproductive barriers in more than one or two transects of a hybrid zone.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.97388

Authors: Mahmood Kolnegari

Abstract: Scattered taxonomic data can be used to determine the geographic distribution of arthropods such as Mantodea (mantids). The distribution of mantids is not well known in Iran and not readily determined because the literature has been published in a mix of Persian-language and non-Persian-language scientific references, including books, journals, annual congress proceedings, and final reports of academic projects. To create a national checklist of mantids in Iran, I reviewed 35 Persian and non-Persian (English, German, and Italian) publications. I recorded 57 praying mantid species from 9 families described from localities across Iran. I identified 18 species—Ameles decolor, Ameles heldreichi, Ameles picteti, Ameles spallanzania, Elaea marchali, Empusa pennata, Eremiaphila andresi, Eremiaphila cerisy, Eremiaphila turcica, Geomantis larvoides, Iris coeca, Iris pitcheri, Oxyothespis wagneri, Pareuthyphlebs palmonii, Pseudoyersinia paui, Rivetina baetica, Severinia nigrofasciata, and Severinia turcomaniae—with records in Iran that may be incorrect based on geographic ranges that do not include Iran and similarity to other species that do occur in Iran. In the proposed checklist comprising 39 species, the family Rivetinidae, with 9 species, and the 2 families Amorphoscelidae and Nanomantidae, with 1 species each, comprised the greatest and least diversity, respectively. This checklist can facilitate future studies on Iran’s mantodeans.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.98203

Authors: Manuel de Luna, Roberto García-Barrios, Gerardo Cuéllar-Rodríguez, Ulises López-Mora

Abstract: The winged stick insect Metriophasma iphicles (Redtenbacher, 1906) (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae) is recorded for the first time from Mexico (state of Veracruz), making this the northernmost record of both the species and genus. A checklist of species in the family Pseudophasmatidae from Mexico and the USA is presented, and a key to the species listed is proposed. With the current record, the number of continental North American species of Phasmatodea increases to 108, and the number of genera in the region increases to 23.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.96295

Authors: Timothy G. Forrest, Micaela Scobie, Olivia Brueckner, Brittania Bintz, John D. Spooner

Abstract: Previous work on Bartram’s round-winged katydid, Amblycorypha bartrami Walker, found inconsistencies in song variation across the species’ range. Individuals of purported populations of A. bartrami from sandhills across the southeastern US were collected, recorded, and their genes were sequenced to better understand their population structure and evolution. Significant differences in songs, morphology, and genetics were found among populations from Alabama (AL), Georgia (GA), North Carolina (NC), and South Carolina (SC), and they differed from those of individuals collected from the type locality in Florida (FL). Males from all populations produced songs composed of a series of similar syllables, but they differed in the rates at which syllables were produced as a function of temperature. At temperatures of 25°C, the calling songs of males from populations in northern AL and GA were found to have the highest syllable rates, those from SC had the lowest rates, and those from NC were found to produce songs with doublet syllables at rates that were intermediate between those of males from FL and those of AL and GA. These song differences formed the basis for cluster analyses and principal component analyses, which showed significant clustering and differences in song spectra and morphology among the song morphs. A Bayesian multi-locus, multi-species coalescent analysis found significant divergences from a panmictic population for the song morphs. Populations from GA and AL are closely related to those of A. bartrami in FL, whereas populations from NC and SC are closely related to each other and differ from the other three. Large river systems may have been important in isolating these populations of flightless katydids. Based on the results of our analyses of songs, morphology, and genetics, three new species of round-winged katydids from the southeastern coastal plain and piedmont are described.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.97047

Authors: Martin H. Villet

Abstract: Bostra Stål (Phasmida, Diapheromeridae) is a junior homonym of Bostra Walker (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). The replacement name Bostranova Villet nomen nov. is proposed for Bostra Stål, and new combinations are proposed for the species-group names currently included in that phasmid genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.96183

Authors: Antonio Fasano, Alessio De Martino

Abstract: The presence of adults, nymphs, and oothecae of the African giant mantis Sphodromantis viridis Forsskål is for the first time recorded on the island of Tenerife, the largest and most populated of the Canary archipelago, an autonomous Spanish community in the Atlantic Ocean. The discovery took place in a popular water park rich in non-native plants in the municipality of Costa Adeje. It is possible that anthropogenic movements, particularly the massive movement of tourists and goods that continually cross this small archipelago, aided the dispersal to the area of this mantis, which for some years has also been expanding in many areas of the Mediterranean basin. A hypothesis on the ecological impact and the possible invasiveness of this extremely adaptable species is discussed and supported by the large number of sightings of oothecae and specimens that are, fortunately, still confined within the west coast of the island.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.94990

Authors: JoVonn G. Hill

Abstract: Floritettix are endemic to the North American Coastal Plain. Here I describe a new species, Floritettix phlox sp. nov., from the Bombing Range Ridge in central Florida. This species appears to be restricted to the heavily burned scrub habitat on this small ridge. This species is described based on morphological and biogeographical evidence.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.91581

Authors: Claudia Hemp

Abstract: A new species of Neoleva Jago, N. magna sp. nov. is described from Central Tanzania. A key to all species of Neoleva is presented.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.93513

Authors: Esperance M. Madera, Kevin A. Judge

Abstract: Sexual dimorphism (SD) is a common phenomenon in sexual species and can manifest in a variety of ways. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is commonly investigated, but it can be confounded with sexual shape dimorphism (SShD) if multivariate measures of size are not used. Univariate studies may also overestimate the prevalence or direction of SSD when the sexes are strikingly different in shape, which may be an issue in taxa such as Orthoptera and other terrestrial arthropods where maximum body size is strongly constrained. Here we tested for the occurrence of both SSD and SShD in the badlands cricket Gryllus personatus (Orthoptera, Gryllinae). We measured four body size dimensions—maxillae span, head width, pronotum length, and mean hind femur length—and used multivariate methods to test whether male and female adult badlands crickets were sexually dimorphic in size and/or shape. All the univariate dimensions were sexually dimorphic, with males having wider heads and maxillae than females and females having longer pronota and hind femora than males, which indicates SShD. However, multivariate methods failed to detect SSD, instead confirming that the sexes primarily differ in body shape. We show how a simple ratio of head width to pronotum length captures SShD in badlands crickets and apply it to iNaturalist, a citizen science platform, to broaden our findings. We propose that orthopterists studying SD minimally measure head width, pronotum length, and hind femur length as a standard that will allow a more repeatable and generalizable assessment of the prevalence and direction of both SSD and SShD.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.93481

Authors: Claudia Hemp

Abstract: The male holotype of Acrida bara Steinmann, 1963 from the Budapest collection (HNHM) was studied and found to be identical to Acrida sulphuripennis (Gerstaecker, 1869). Consequently, Acrida bara syn. nov. is synonymized with A. sulphuripennis.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.90444

Authors: Amy R. Byerly, Thomas J. Firneno Jr., Riley Beard, Erica L. Larson

Abstract: Orthopterans are commonly encountered in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes and have charismatic songs that attract the public’s attention. These are ideal organisms for connecting the public with science and critical concepts in ecology and evolution, such as habitat conservation and climate change. In this review, we provide an overview of community science and review community science in orthopterans. Best practices for orthopteran community science are provided, with a focus on audio recordings and highlighting new ways in which scientists who study orthopterans can engage in community science. Before the modern era, scientific discovery was commonly made by people who were not scientists by profession (Brenna 2011, Miller-Rushing et al. 2012). This began to change in the middle of the nineteenth century when science became highly academic, with greater “gatekeeping” of knowledge, and data collection became increasingly expensive. As a result, much of the knowledge gained during that time has been effectively withheld from non-scientists in difficult-to-obtain scientific journals, and there were few opportunities for the public to directly engage with scientific research. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort from the scientific community to change the way we engage with the public. These “citizen” or “community” science projects are filling gaps in the modern approach to scientific inquiry (Jordan et al. 2012, Toomey and Domroese 2013, Johnson et al. 2014). Here, we provide an overview of community science and highlight the exciting and unique role that community science can play in orthopteran research. We focus on how acoustic surveys can be used to study orthopteran biodiversity, provide best practices for orthopteran community science, and suggest future avenues for research.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.95753

Authors: Seiji Tanaka

Abstract: The biology of Patanga japonica (Bolívar, 1898), including seasonal nymphal growth, host plants, mating, oviposition, hatching, and adult morphology, was studied under outdoor and indoor conditions in central Japan. A field census showed that this grasshopper had a univoltine life cycle and overwintered in the adult stage. Body size was found to increase with a delay in the time of adult emergence in females but not in males, and protandry was observed. The insects were mainly associated with a few plant species. Feeding tests showed that at least one of the 5 test nymphs molted to the second stadium on 37 plant species, and more than 50% did so on 23 plant species. Mating was frequently observed in April and May under outdoor conditions, and the daily maximum number of copulating pairs was positively correlated with air temperature. Copulatory behavior, including stridulation, is described in detail. Oviposition was frequently observed in May and June under outdoor conditions. Larger females produced more eggs per pod, and a negative relationship was observed between egg lengths and the number of eggs per pod, showing a trade-off. On average, female adults had 124 ovarioles. Egg hatching occurred at different times during the daytime, but the eggs from each pod hatched synchronously. Synchronous hatching was also observed in eggs kept in groups of 2, 4, and 10, but hatching occurred earlier in larger group sizes. Eggs achieved synchronous hatching by either delaying or advancing hatching time. Two eggs separated by several millimeters hatched less synchronously than those kept in contact with one another. However, similarly separated eggs restored hatching synchrony when connected by thin wire, suggesting the involvement of vibrational signals in embryo–embryo communication. Morphometric analysis suggested that P. japonica adults change some morphometric ratios in response to crowding. Variation in pronotum shape was not significantly affected by crowding.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.97276

Authors: Madan Subedi

Abstract: This paper describes a new species of Skejotetix Subedi, 2022, S. kasalo sp. nov., from the temperate forests of Bajung, Parbat, Nepal. The genus was known only from the subtropical regions of Nepal. The new species and its different life stages were observed in the natural habitat. It was found to have many colors that match perfectly with the surroundings. The genus Skejotettix was considered brachypronotal until now, but a macropronotal form was also found alongside the typical brachypronotal form in S. kasalo sp. nov. The macropronotal form is an important piece of the puzzle in determining the relationship between Skejotettix and Ergatetttix Kirby, 1914.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.94918

Authors: Madan Subedi, Niko Kasalo

Abstract: Aryal’s Ten Avatar Groundhopper, Aryalidonta itishreea gen. et sp. nov., named in honor of the late Bhairav Aryal, an iconic Nepali satirist, is a new genus and species of Tetrigidae described as a part of the tribe Thoradontini. The species is native to Nepal, a country with a rich tetrigid fauna in need of taxonomic revisions. This monotypic genus can be easily separated from other Thoradontini genera by its enlarged proximal halves of middle femora, a peculiar lateral lobe morphology (small caudal protrusion in its caudal part and a sharp lateral tip), a triangular, anteriorly narrowing vertex, and by its unique head morphology. The species was observed in its natural habitat. It was found to harbor many color variations that are cryptic in nature. It feeds on detritus, algae, lichen, and moss. Specimens heavily infested by mites were found, as well as those in interaction with wasps (possibly Eulophidae), but the nature of the latter could not be determined.

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DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.91153

Authors: Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Maks Deranja, Karmela Adžić, Nurul Ashikin Abdullah

Abstract: One of the two Scelimena Serville, 1838 species described from Peninsular Malaysia, Scelimena gombakensis Muhammad, Tan & Skejo, 2018 occupies a wide distributional range across the country, contrary to the range described in the original description of the species. Extended research has shown that the species occurs in many localities in Peninsular Malaysia, which is interesting given that such findings are uncommon in the study of Tetrigidae. This paper provides new distribution localities, some ecological and physiological notes, and photographs of living specimens of Scelimena gombakensis. Other species synonymized here include Scelimena razalii Mahmood, Idris, & Salmah, 2007 syn. nov. of species Falconius dubius Günther, 1938.

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