Israel Journal of Entomology

Lixus (Eulixus) nettadorchinae sp. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a new striped gall-inducing weevil species from the Negev Desert, Israel

Ariel-Leib-Leonid Friedman — 2025-09-15

Lixus nettadorchinae sp. n. causing galls on branches of Deverra triradiata (Apiaceae) is described from the Central Negev, Israel. The new species is distinct among its congeners in its peculiar colour pattern comprising longitudinal whitish stripes of white scales on the head, pronotum and elytra. The new species fits into the subgenus Lixus (Eulixus) due to its long, projected and sharply-pointed elytral apex, the claws fused at the base, a relatively flat eye, the pronotum with postocular lobes and due to its association with a member of the Apiaceae family. Description of the external morphology and genitalia of both sexes is given and illustrated with photographs and line drawings. Observations on development, gall formation and parasites of the new species are summarized.

To cite: Friedman, A.-L.-L. & Colonnelli, E. 2025. Lixus (Eulixus) nettadorchinae sp. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a new striped gall-inducing weevil species from the Negev Desert, Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 21–32. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17115935
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:28657207-3FFC-4A3E-877F-6C35D5528EE0

Taxonomic review of the genus Mithuna Moore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), with descriptions of two new genera and seventeen new species

Anton V. Volynkin — 2025-12-14

The Oriental footman-moth genus Mithuna Moore, 1878 is reviewed. Two new genera and 17 new species are described: Eilemithuna gen. n. (type species: Ilema transducta de Joannis, 1930); Mithunoconosia gen. n. (type species: Mithuna clivusa Bucsek, 2012); Mithuna armata sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna atkinsoni sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna bolovena sp. n. (Laos), Mithuna bucseki sp. n. (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam), Mithuna flabellata sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna fletcheri sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna lamdonga sp. n. (Vietnam), Mithuna meghalaya sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna ochrocephala sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna phahompoka sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna pianma sp. n. (China, Yunnan), Mithuna robusta sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna securis sp. n. (Vietnam), Mithuna suthepia sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna swanni sp. n. (Myanmar), Mithuna thaica sp. n. (Thailand), and Mithuna wilemani sp. n. (Taiwan). Seven new combinations are introduced: Pseudopelosia fuscivena (Hampson, 1896), comb. n., Mithuna bilineata (Bucsek, 2020), comb. n., Eilemithuna dimidilinea (Černý, 2009), comb. n., Eilemithuna transducta (de Joannis, 1930), comb. n., Mithunoconosia clivusa (Bucsek, 2012), comb. n., Mithunoconosia pulverea (Bucsek, 2012), comb. n. and Mithunoconosia strigifera (Hampson, 1900), comb. n. Lectotype is designated for Mithuna arizana Wileman, 1911. Adults and male and female genitalia of all species considered are illustrated.

To cite: Volynkin, A.V. & Černý, K. 2025. Taxonomic review of the genus Mithuna Moore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), with descriptions of two new genera and seventeen new species. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 113–165. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927846
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1BC21B27-5EE9-4BDB-9E74-A6AA1DDD10E5

Roythespis israelensis gen. et sp. n. (Dictyoptera: Mantodea: Toxoderidae), a new praying mantis from Israel

Martin B. D. Stiewe — 2025-12-03

A new genus and species of praying mantises, Roythespis israelensis gen et sp. n., is described from Israel. The new genus belongs in the subfamily Toxoderinae (Toxoderidae), and is most closely related to Belomantis Giglio-Tos, 1914 and Calamothespis Werner, 1907, from which it differs in having a weakly rounded and very short pseudophallus, and conspicuous but not overdeveloped juxtaocular bulges. The new species features an elongated body and slender habitus, short legs, a prognathous head and greatly extended and distally flattened cerci. The holotype of Toxomantis sinensis Giglio-Tos, 1914 is illustrated for the first time.

To cite: Stiewe, M.B.D., Weinstein, A. & Simon, D. 2025. Roythespis israelensis gen. et sp. n. (Dictyoptera: Mantodea: Toxoderidae), a new praying mantis from Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 95–112. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17761269
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:08D44E51-836A-44DC-8CB5-21A9479A934D

An extended description of Anthrenus (Anthrenops) coloratus Reitter (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), the type species for the subgenus Anthrenops Reitter

Graham J. Holloway — 2025-09-21

The descriptions of many Dermestidae species are brief, often inadequate for modern day taxonomic purposes, especially for species described in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Anthrenus coloratus is such a species. Anthrenus coloratus from Italy is described in detail. Images of external (habitus, ventrites, antennae) and internal (aedeagus, male sternite IX, female sternite VIII, female tergite VIII, bursal copulatrix sclerites) characters are provided. Even though A. coloratus is the type species for the subgenus Anthrenops, images of most of these structures are published for the first time.

To cite: Holloway, G.J., Querner, P. & Foster, C.W. 2025. An extended description of Anthrenus (Anthrenops) coloratus Reitter (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), the type species for the subgenus Anthrenops Reitter. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 33–43. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17161768
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:56357F88-653B-47C0-83EE-0CFC11336EBF

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

Zoya Yefremova — 2025-04-10

Ramiplectrus catiensis gen. et sp. n. is characterized by the unique combination of two long metatibial spurs and a short ramus on the two first funicular segments. Phylogenetic analysis of 28SrRNA sequences, along with the distinct morphological features, supports the classification of the new genus within the tribe Eulophini.

TÓM TẮT
Một chi mới và một loài ong ký sinh mới Ramiplectrus catiensis được đặc trưng bởi sự kết hợp độc đáo của hai cựa xương chày dài và một nhánh ngắn trên hai đoạn râu đầu tiên. Phân tích phát sinh loài của trình tự 28S rRNA, cùng với các đặc điểm hình thái riêng biệt, hỗ trợ việc phân loại chi mới trong tông Eulophini.
TỪ KHÓA: Đa dạng sinh học, chi mới, loài mới, khóa nhận dạng, ong ký sinh, hệ thống học, Đông Nam Á, Việt Nam, Tỉnh Đồng Nai, Vườn quốc gia Cát Tiên.

To cite: Yefremova, Z.A. & Feldstein-Farkash, T. 2025. Ramiplectrus catiensis, a new genus and a new species with branched male antennae and long metatibial spurs from Vietnam (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 7–19.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15182960
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:745CA2B4-91F8-4412-ADCC-C68429746AE9

First report of Phymatinae and Holoptilinae from the Middle East, with a description of a new species of Putoniola Bergroth (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Holoptilinae) from Israel

Tanya Novoselska — 2025-10-30

This study presents the first record and a comprehensive review of the Reduviidae subfamilies Phymatinae and Holoptilinae in Israel. The paper provides updated diagnoses, detailed genitalia illustrations and a revised identification key for species of the genus Putoniola Bergroth, 1898 (Holoptilinae), along with description of a new species, Putoniola asvadurovi sp. n. The findings of Phymata (Phymata) monstrosa (Fabricius, 1794) (Phymatinae) in Israel confirm an old Middle Eastern record of the species from ‘Syria’ and considerably extend its previous West Mediterranean distribution. Information on distribution of both species and their biology and host plant associations is provided. Molecular phylogenetic analyses employing COI and 16S mitochondrial genes confirm the broad “Phymatine complex” and successfully integrate the new Putoniola species. We contribute to addressing a critical gap in knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships of tribes within the subfamilies Holoptilinae and Phymatinae, which are not yet fully understood and require further investigation. This is the first molecular study to include Phymata (P.) monstrosa (Phymatinae) and to add Putoniola asvadurovi sp. n. (Holoptilinae), both originating from the Palaearctic Region.

To cite: Novoselska, T. & Feldstein-Farkash, T. 2025. First report of Phymatinae and Holoptilinae from the Middle East, with a description of a new species of Putoniola Bergroth (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Holoptilinae) from Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 45–94.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17464510
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:403CB1C6-B6D0-4248-BC4B-65FB1EAD5F1E

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

Roshan Upadhaya — 2025-03-06

Helcyra hemina Hewitson, 1864 (Nymphalidae: Limenitidini), commonly known as the White Emperor, a rare species occurring at high altitudes in northeastern Himalayas, is hereby recorded from Arunachal Pradesh, India, thus filling a critical gap in its known distribution.

To cite: Upadhaya, R. & Sheikh, T. 2025. The White Emperor Helcyra hemina Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), a new addition to the lepidopteran fauna of Northeastern India. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 5–6.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14982560
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EFAD9F9D-7357-453A-8591-0D2B2BD07E25

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

Arajush Payra — 2025-01-20

Purple Bush-Bean Macroptilium atropurpureum, an introduced perennial legume, native to the Americas, is recorded here as a new host plant for the common South Asian Lycaenid Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) in India. Butterflies were observed laying eggs on the new flower buds, and caterpillars feeding on flower buds and leaves of Macroptilium atropurpureum.

To cite: Payra, A.,Philip, J.G., Bhatt, C. & Koparde, P. 2025. Purple Bush-Bean Macroptilium atropurpureum (Fabaceae): a new larval host plant for Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in South Asia. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 1–4.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14690423
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:04A01AAB-8C6D-4F85-BB6D-D4B0B233A365

First instance of non-sexual cannibalism in Plexippus paykulli (Audouin) (Araneae: Salticidae) in India

Arajush Payra — 2025-12-03

Plexippus paykulli is a dimorphic salticid. Males possess median white stripes on a black carapace and abdomen, whereas females are brownish, with a white medial band on the thoracic region and a white median band accompanied by two subdorsal white spots on the posterior third of the abdomen. Plexippus paykulli is widely pantropical and usually inhabits bushes, shrubs and human settlements. On 25 May 2021, near Bara Solemanpur Village (21.67210°N 87.57483°E) in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India, the authors observed an unusual instance of cannibalism in which a male P. paykulli was seen consuming a conspecific male. The predator male was noticeably larger than the prey male, and the event lasted for about five minutes.

To cite: Payra, A., Kuni, N. & Koparde, P. 2025. First instance of non-sexual cannibalism in Plexippus paykulli (Audouin) (Araneae: Salticidae) in India. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 113–115. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17787293
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:290CDD94-02CD-4042-8F37-574ED9826FFE