Extreme death feigning, longevity, and blue color make adult beetles of Asbolus verrucosus LeConte, 1851 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) popular pets and demonstration insects. Additionally, autohemorrhaging in death-feigning larvae facilitates debris-based camouflage. The A. verrucosus genome was examined to gain insight into longevity and death feigning in this insect. A short-read assembly (∼250 Mbp) encoded > 90% of expected arthropod-specific proteins. The sex chromosomes represented 26.3% of the bivalent lengths and the haploid portion of the male genome (2n = 14; 6AA + Xy). Longevity-associated proteins for nutrient signaling and genome maintenance were present but require further investigation. For example, Sirtuin 6 harbored only two of the five amino acid changes known to enhance DNA repair and longevity. Comparative genomics identified non-synonymous substitutions in A. verrucosus proteins that were exclusive to long-duration death-feigning tenebrionids. The proteins are central to the development and function of neuromuscular junctions and may define a death-feigning pathway in insects. High-copy protein-coding contigs (3–300 copies/genome) were related to reflex bleeding (innate immunity and and melanization), longevity (response to stress, DNA repair, stem cell maintenance), and death feigning (neuronal development and signaling). Notably, telomerase-activating and stabilizing protein-coding regions were among the multicopy loci, along with loci encoding haponin and heat-shock proteins. It is tempting to conjecture that A. verrucosus is genetically poised for hormesis, where a small stress signal promotes an amplified protective response. The A. verrucosus genome is one of the few annotated tenebrionid genomes available and has impacted phylogenomic comparisons of insects and important gene families. The annotated genome was deposited into public databases under project PRJNA354432.

We report the collection of specimens of two North American bark beetles, Ips calligraphus (Germar, 1823) and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff, 1868), collected in a natural environment in Europe. Extensive trapping and field surveys did not find evidence of establishment. Both species were collected as part of a routine monitoring effort using Ips DeGeer lures (Sanidad Agrícola Econex S. L.) with traps situated in forests nearby to entry ports. The lack of establishment may be from insufficient propagule pressure, low climatic suitability, or absence of major hosts.

Medon icarus Caterino, new species (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) is described, restricted largely to the highest elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. This flightless species occurs across several high ranges in the region, and analysis of COI sequences from known populations reveals deep genetic divergences among them. Insufficient morphological differentiation has been observed to subdivide them, but the possibility remains that this represents a cryptic species complex, with from 5–12 genetically but otherwise indistinguishable members. This is the only member of this mainly western Nearctic and Palearctic genus in the southeastern US, though it appears to be closely related to the northeastern winged species Medon americanus Casey. Description of DNA-associated larval specimens, along with adult morphological and molecular information, will help determine its position among global Medonina diversity.

Stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) females have mycangia that harbor xylose-fermenting yeasts such as Scheffersomyces Kurtzman & M. Suzuki species (Debaryomycetaceae), which are transmitted vertically and transstadially. The associations between stag beetles and yeasts were thought to be species-specific. This research investigates Prosopocoilus astacoides blanchardi (Parry, 1873) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Taiwan. Yeasts were cultured from wild, adult females' mycangia and ovaries, from lab-reared larval midguts and hindguts, and from larval tunnels and cocoon walls. Species identifications and abundance calculations were done. Mycangia contained multiple species, including Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Wick.) Kurtzman & M. Suzuki (Debaryomycetaceae) and Candida spp. (Debaryomycetaceae). Larval guts and tunnels were dominated by strains of Scheffersomyces and Spathaspora N. H. Nguyen, S. O. Suh & M. Blackw. (Debaryomycetaceae). Yeasts isolated from females, larvae, and the cocoon walls varied greatly. The results suggest that the associations with yeast symbionts in P. a. blanchardi are not species-specific and vertical transmission of yeasts may not necessarily be essential in this species.

Scaphisoma koreanum Kim and Ahn, new species and Scaphisoma sambangsanense Kim and Ahn, new species are described in Korea. The former is similar to Scaphisoma hapiroense Löbl but can be distinguished by the ratio of antennomeres 3 to 11 (4:7:11:11:15:10:13:13:16), the bicolored elytron, and the different form and structure of the aedeagus. The latter is similar to Scaphisoma haemorrhoidale Reitter but can be distinguished by the color pattern of the elytron and the different form and structure of the aedeagus. Scaphisoma limbatum Erichson is reported for the first time in Korea. Descriptions and illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of the two new species are provided.

The clavigerite genus Triartiger Kubota (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) is here reported to occur on the mainland of China, and a new representative, Triartiger spatulatus Yin, new species, is described and illustrated. A single male was collected from a small colony of Tetramorium nipponense Wheeler ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nesting in a dead tree branch. This species differs from known congeners in having relatively short antennae, distinct spatulate setae covering the cuticle, and well-developed trichomes on the elytra and abdomen. A map showing the distribution of Triartiger species is provided.

Despite the high rates of biodiversity and endemism in Inter-Andean Dry Tropical Forests (IADTF), part of the endangered Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF), the study of insect biodiversity in this habitat has been neglected. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding beetle diversity at an Ecuadorian IADTF, specifically at Bosque Protector Jerusalém (BPJ). A rapid survey collected 568 beetle specimens representing 66 species, with Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, and Coccinellidae as the most abundant families. The Simpson index revealed high species diversity, with five dominant species contributing significantly to abundance. The presence of singletons and doubletons indicated a rich and complex community structure. The species accumulation curve did not reach an asymptote, and the Chao 1 index estimated a total of 105 beetle species at BPJ, suggesting further undiscovered diversity. Several potentially new taxa were found, including a new genus country record for Psomus Casey (Curculionidae), highlighting the need for further taxonomic research in this under-sampled ecosystem. Additionally, evidence of introduced species emphasizes the influence of the peri-urban landscape surrounding BPJ. This study provides a baseline for future biodiversity assessments and conservation initiatives, emphasizing the importance of studying sensitive taxa like beetles to understand and protect the vulnerable IADTF ecosystem.

A pesar de la alta biodiversidad y endemismo en el Bosque Seco Tropical Interandino (BSTI), parte del Bosque Seco Tropical Estacional (BSTE), el estudio de la entomofauna en éste hábitat ha sido relegado. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo reducir la brecha de conocimiento respecto a la diversidad de escarabajos en un BSTI ecuatoriano, el Bosque Protector Jerusalém (BPJ). El muestreo reveló 568 especímenes, representando 66 especies, siendo Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae y Coccinelidae las familias más abundantes. El índice de Simpson reveló una alta diversidad, con cinco especies dominantes que contribuyeron significativamente a la abundancia. La presencia de “singletons” y “doubletons” dio indicios de una comunidad rica y compleja. La curva de acumulación de especies no alcanzó una asíntota, y el índice Chao 1 estimó un total de 105 especies, sugiriendo una mayor diversidad por descubrir. Se encontraron varios taxones potencialmente nuevos, incluido un nuevo registro de género para el país para Psomus Casey (Curculionidae), acentuando la necesidad de más investigaciones taxonómicas en este ecosistema. Además, se hallaron algunas especies introducidas, resaltando la influencia del paisaje periurbano circundante. Este estudio proporciona una base para futuros estudios e iniciativas de conservación, además señala la importancia de estudiar taxones sensibles como los escarabajos para comprender y proteger este ecosistema amenazado.

The genus Desimia Reitter, 1882 of the ant-loving beetle tribe Ctenistini (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) previously contained 24 species distributed in the Afrotropical and Western Palearctic realms. In this study, Desimia orientalis Zhang and Yin, new species is described based on two males collected from the southern Chinese provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi, supported by illustrations of the habitus and other morphological details. The species is characterized by a simple maxillary palpomere 2, combined with the unique shape of the four-segmented male antennal club and aedeagus. A map showing the worldwide distribution of Desimia is included.

Biodiversity monitoring is critical to understanding how ecological communities respond to disturbance. Beetles are an ideal group for monitoring due to their high taxonomic and ecological diversity. We surveyed beetles and other arthropods in burned (i.e., low-intensity prescribed fire) and unburned portions of Berea College Forest in Berea, Kentucky, USA during 2021 and 2022. In total, 43 species within 27 families are reported as new state records for Kentucky. We also report updated distributional records for each species using data from published resources and online databases hosted by the Symbiota Collections of Arthropods Network (SCAN).

Beijingusa mandibularis Lee and Ahn, new species (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) is described from Korea. This is the second species of the genus Beijingusa Pace since Beijingusa rougemonti Pace was described from China. A morphological comparison of these two species is presented. A description and illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of the new species are presented to facilitate identification.

Nemozoma woodi Kippenhan, new species is described and illustrated from specimens collected from Zamorano, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras. This new species is compared to other, morphologically similar New World species. A key to the Nemozoma species of North and Central America is provided.

A new species from the southwest Brazilian Amazon, Isocopris rossinii Arias-Buriticá, Bach, and Vaz-de-Mello, new species, is described along with a diagnosis, illustrations, and discussion of its taxonomic position in the genus. This new species is readily distinguished by a deep depression in the frons, a large and trapezoidal ventral clypeal process in lateral view, a glabrous metaventral anterior lobe, the morphology of the aedeagus with triangular and symmetrical parameres, the presence of a subgenital plate, and large and asymmetrical lamellae copulatrix. Females show secondary sexual dimorphism, with the elytral striae widened from the first to the fourth in the central area. Here we present an updated key for the species of the genus Isocopris Pereira and Martínez, 1960.

The Palearctic seed head-feeding weevils Bangasternus fausti (Reitter) and Bangasternus orientalis (Capiomont) were first introduced into the western United States for the biological control of invasive Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species in the late 1980s. Although neither Bangasternus Gozis species has been intentionally introduced in Canada, observations of adult weevils matching the description of Bangasternus were reported on Centaurea diffusa Lam. in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada via iNaturalist.org during 2019 and 2020. We searched for Bangasternus individuals on Centaurea species throughout southern British Columbia and adjacent parts of Washington state, USA between 2020 and 2022. Using a combination of morphological characters, molecular diagnostics, and host-plant association, we report a new country record of B. fausti (sensu Colonnelli and Whitehead 1990) in Canada. Given that B. fausti is now established in select areas of southern British Columbia, we discuss its potential role in providing suppression of C. diffusa and its possible interactions with the existing seed head-feeding biocontrol agent community.

Plastocerus thoracicus Fleutiaux, 1918 was originally described from Vietnam and later reported from Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces of China. Here, we examined four specimens and provided the first records for Henan, Jiangxi, and Hong Kong. We confirmed this species is variable in the shape of the pronotum, and we also report and illustrate variability in the male pregenital segments and aedeagus. Additionally, we provide an updated distribution map for P. thoracicus.

A fourth species of the stygobiontic elmid genus Typhloelmis Barr was discovered during a survey of groundwater-dependent invertebrates in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. Typhloelmis spangleri Barr, new species is herein described, diagnosed, and illustrated with images of the habitus and male genitalia. Notes on the morphology and an image of a larva collected in association with the adults, assumed to be that of the new species, are included. A revised key to the genus, with figures of all known species, and an updated distribution map are furnished. In addition, a second occurrence of Typhloelmis finegan Barr, previously known only from the type locality, is reported. Typhloelmis spangleri occurs at two springs adjacent to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo in the Lower Canyons reach. The springs discharge from the western portion of the regional Edwards-Trinity Aquifer karst system, formed in Cretaceous-aged carbonates. The groundwatershed is unknown, but likely lies northwest of the springs. Species in the genus are isolated from one another, but all occur in springs of the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer within the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo watershed.