Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae
2026
Volume 66 - Number 1
published on: 16th March 2026
Abstract: The immature stages of beetles (Coleoptera) remain poorly known, despite their importance for systematics, ecology, and applied research. To address this gap, the Immature Beetles Meeting (IBM) was established in Prague in 2007 and has since been held biennially. Over two decades, IBM has attracted a total of 455 visitors (206 individual participants) from 30 countries and hosted 168 presentations, creating an exclusive platform dedicated to beetle larvae and pupae. Here, we summarize the history, structure, and outcomes of IBM, highlighting its role in fostering collaboration, advancing methods, and promoting the study of beetle immatures within the global research community.Published online: 16th March 2026
Li Zechuan, Zheng Yuchen, Song Zhishun, Liu XingyueNew species and new data of the dragon lacewing genus Nipponeurorthus (Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) from ChinaActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 13-36Abstract: The genus Nipponeurorthus Nakahara, 1958 is an endemic group of the dragon lacewing family Nevrorthidae, currently comprising 13 species from China and Japan. However, due to their rareness in nature, the species and distribution of Nipponeurorthus from China are still poorly explored. Herein we describe five new species of Nipponeurorthus from the Chinese mainland, i.e., N. ailao sp. nov. (China: Yunnan), N. flavipennis sp. nov. (China: Guangxi), N. kuanglu sp. nov. (China: Jiangxi), N. ningboensis sp. nov. (China: Zhejiang), and N. pallidipennis sp. nov. (China: Jiangsu). We also redescribe N. qinicus Yang, 1999, which has been poorly documented since its original description. A molecular delimitation of the Nipponeurorthus species based on the DNA barcodes was performed. An updated key to the species of Nipponeurorthus is also provided.Published online: 16th March 2026
Sasakawa Kôji, Suzuki Yôichi, Itô HirotarôPterostichus izurusanus sp. nov., an isolated and specialized species of the macrogenys species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae) discovered on a mountain on the edge of the Kanto Plain, Honshu, JapanActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 37-44Abstract: A new species, Pterostichus izurusanus sp. nov., belonging to the macrogenys species group of the subgenus Nialoe Tanaka, 1958 (s. lat.), is described. This species is currently known only from Mt. Izuru-san (Tochigi Prefecture, Japan), which is located on a narrow ridge that protrudes from a mountainous area towards the Kanto Plain; the mountainous area other than the ridge is occupied by P. macrogenys Bates, 1883, another member of the same species group. The origin and differentiation process of this new species are discussed, based on its distribution pattern, morphological characteristics, and morphology-based phylogeny. An updated key to species of the macrogenys species group is provided.Published online: 16th March 2026
Feng Zi-Yan, Chen Bin, Li Ting-JingCarinotiphia, a new subgenus of Tiphia (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae), with three new species and a key to all worldwide known species of the subgenusActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 45-54Abstract: A new subgenus, Carinotiphia, of the genus Tiphia Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Tiphiinae) is erected with Tiphia (C.) notialis sp. nov. designated as the type species of Carinotiphia based on the anteriorly transverse keel on T1. The taxonomic descriptions and diagnosis of three new species within the subgenus are presented as follows: Tiphia (Carinotiphia) nigriseta sp. nov., T. (C.) notialis sp. nov., and T. (C.) transversisulcata sp. nov. Detailed morphological illustrations, including high-resolution images of diagnostic characters, are provided to facilitate species identification. The following species are transferred to Carinotiphia subgen. nov.: T. (C.) bituberculata Yildirim & Boni Bartalucci, 2009, T. (C.) chareshi Hanima & Girish Kumar, 2022, T. (C.) coimbatorea Allen, 1975, T. (C.) exacta Nurse, 1903, and T. (C.) hispanica Dusmet, 1930. Additionally, an original key to all recognized species of Carinotiphia subgen. nov. is proposed. All type specimens of the new species are deposited at Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China (CQNU). Some discussion on the placement of Tiphia (Carinotiphia) is also given.Published online: 11th May 2026
Eshraghi Mofrad Farhad, Nabozhenko Maxim V., Serri Sayeh, Kasatkin Denis G.Five new tenebrionid species of the genus Dendarus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Iran with a key to Iranian speciesActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 55-67Abstract: Five new species of tenebrionid beetles of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 (Coleo-
ptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Dendarini) are described from Iran: Dendarus (Pandarinus) robustus Eshraghi Mofrad & Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Alborz Mts: Mazandaran Province), Dendarus (Pandarinus) splendidus Nabozhenko & Eshraghi Mofrad, sp. nov. (Zagros Mts: Kurdistan Province), Dendarus (Pandarinus) faizii Nabozhenko & Eshraghi Mofrad, sp. nov. (Zagros Mts: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province), Dendarus (Pandarinus) farsensis Eshraghi Mofrad & Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Zagros Mts: Fars Province), and Dendarus (Pandarinus) rectithorax Eshraghi Mofrad & Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Alborz Mts: Mazandaran Province). Dendarus (Pandarinus) armeniacus Baudi di Selve, 1876 is recorded from the Zagros mountain system for the first time. New faunistic data for other Iranian species are given. In total, 11 species of the genus Dendarus are known from Iran with the highest diversity in Alborz and Zagros mountain systems. A key to males of Iranian species of Dendarus is given.Published online: 11th May 2026
Asano MakotoLarval structures and bionomics of Semijulistus spectabilis (Coleoptera: Rhadalidae)Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 69-73Abstract: Morphology of mature larvae and life cycle of Semijulistus spectabilis (Lewis, 1895) (Coleoptera: Rhadalidae) are described here for the first time. A comparative analysis of the larval morphology of S. spectabilis and other rhadalid species revealed that the larvae of S. spectabilis lacked the typical characteristics observed in other rhadalid species, i.e., pigmented and sclerotized (whole or partial) thoracic tergites, abdominal tergite IX bearing a pair of urogomphi or a pigmented sclerite. Furthermore, S. spectabilis exhibits distinctive characteristics that deviate markedly from the fundamental larval morphology typical of the melyrid lineage, including a small head capsule, a slender body, and an exceptionally thin cuticle. Although the total duration of the larval stage was long, there were fewer larval molts until they prepupated than observed in other members of the melyrid lineage.Published online: 11th May 2026
Rosa Paolo, Bogusch PetrA new species of Hedychridium (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) from the Canary Islands, with a new synonymy, species checklist, and notes on local colour formsActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 75-84Abstract: Hedychridium tibicena Rosa sp. nov. from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) is described in the monochroum group. A new synonymy, Hedychridium tenerifense Linsenmaier, 1968, syn. nov. = Hedychridium canariense García Mercet, 1915, is established. A key to the six Canarian species of the genus Hedychridium Abeille de Perrin, 1878 is given. The first check-list of the Canarian chrysidid species is presented, together with the observations on the dark colouration of several endemic species of the islands.Published online: 11th May 2026
Szczepański Wojciech T.Who is who? A review of the genus Dasypogon of North Africa (Diptera: Asilidae)Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 85-110Abstract: In this paper, a revision of the genus Dasypogon Meigen, 1803 of the territory of North Africa and partially Spain is presented. Berberopogon subgen. nov. is described as a new subgenus within Dasypogon. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Asilus flavus Linnaeus, 1761 = Laphria ruficauda Fabricius, 1805, syn. nov., Asilus atratus Fabricius, 1794 = Seilopogon olcesci Bigot, 1878, syn. nov., Seilopogon Gougeleti Bigot, 1878 = Selidopogon rubinipes Becker, 1913 in Becker & Stein (1913), syn. nov. A neotype of Asilus atratus Fabricius, 1794 is designated. Two new species, Dasypogon engeli sp. nov. and Dasypogon hradskyi sp. nov., are described. Two new combinations are proposed: Saropogon gougeleti (Bigot, 1878) comb. nov., and Psilocurus brevipennis (Meigen, 1838) comb. nov.Published online: 31st May 2026
Hemanth Kumar H. M., Gupta AnkitaDiscovery of two new remarkable species of Heydenia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Heydeniidae) from IndiaActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 111-122Abstract: In the present study, two new remarkable species of the genus Heydenia Förster, 1856 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Heydeniidae), namely H. dichroma Hemanth & Gupta sp. nov. and H. gracifemoralis Hemanth & Gupta sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Karnataka, India. Heydenia dichroma sp. nov. was reared from branch cuttings of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae), while H. gracifemoralis sp. nov. was reared as larval parasitoid of an indeterminate species of Coleoptera associated with Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin. (Fabaceae). Heydenia gracifemoralis sp. nov. is unique among other Indian species in possessing a slender fore femur. Heydenia dichroma sp. nov. is a dichromatic species and occurs in testaceous and metallic colour forms. The two newly described species are compared with closely related species. Detailed diagnoses, identification key along with live photographs and field observations are provided for both new species.Published online: 4th August 2026
Cho Hee-WookTwo new species of the Gonioctena (Asiphytodecta) subgeminata species group from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 123-128Abstract: Two new species of the Gonioctena (Asiphytodecta) subgeminata species group, Gonioctena acutangula sp. nov. and G. dakgleiensis sp. nov., are described from Vietnam. The species group was previously known to comprise five species distributed in China and Vietnam and is characterized by elytra with spots or sinuate transverse bands, elytral punctures arranged in regular single rows or in confused rows, and aedeagus with a broad apical process bearing apicolateral setae. Gonioctena acutangula sp. nov. is externally similar to G. tonkinensis (Chen, 1934) but differs in the structure of the aedeagus, particularly in the apical portion strongly produced dorsally in lateral view. Gonioctena dakgleiensis sp. nov. is similar to G. subgeminata (Chen, 1934) but differs in the elytral pattern, lacking two large black spots straddling the elytral suture and possessing a distinct median dark patch. DNA barcode sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene are provided and deposited in GenBank. Photographs of the habitus, illustrations of the aedeagi, and a key to the species of the group are provided.Published online: 4th August 2026
Tran Ngat Thi, Nguyen Lien Thi Phuong, Engel Michael S.The nomiine bee genus Gnathonomia in Vietnam (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae)Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 129-147Abstract: Three species of the genus Gnathonomia Pauly, 2005 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) are reported from Vietnam. Two species, Gnathonomia aurata (Bingham, 1897) and G. pieli (Cockerell, 1931) are recorded from Vietnam for the first time, while G. thoracica (Smith, 1875) is the most common species in the country. One species, G. fusciventris Zhang & Niu, 2020, syn. nov., is treated as a junior synonym of G. pieli. An illustrated key to the Vietnamese species of Gnathonomia is presented along with a summary of their distributions.Published online: 19th August 2026
Chvojka Pavel, Šumpich JanA new species of the genus Mesophylax (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) from the Tian Shan Mountains in KyrgyzstanActa Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 66(1): 149-153Abstract: A new species of the caddisfl y genus Mesophylax McLachlan, 1882, Mesophylax stuchliki Chvojka sp. nov., is described based on material collected in the Inner Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Both male and female adults are illustrated and diagnostic characters distinguishing this new species from its congeners, including M. skalskii Malicky, 1997 from
Tajikistan and M. pamirensis Malicky, 1997 from Afghanistan, are provided. The caddisfly fauna of Kyrgyzstan remains poorly studied, and the genus Mesophylax has not been recorded there yet. This also represents the fi rst record of this genus in the Tian Shan Mountains.Published online: 7th September 2026