Abstract Croitana Waterhouse, 1932 (Trapezitinae) is a small genus of skippers endemic to Australia, with most species restricted to semi‐arid and arid biomes where the larvae specialise on grasses (Poaceae) in the genera Neurachne R.Br., Enteropogon Nees and Austrostipa S.W.L. Jacobs & J.Everett. However, the taxonomic status of several taxa has remained unclear for the past two to three decades. Taxonomic revision based on comparative morphology of the male genitalia, adult phenotype, and other evidence (e.g., life history) indicates that there are five species: C. croites (Hewitson, 1874) (type species), C. aestiva E.D. Edwards, 1979, C. arenaria E.D. Edwards, 1979, C. pilepudla Grund, 2003 stat. rev. , and C. flavescens sp. nov. , all of which are allopatric or parapatric. Croitana pilepudla stat. rev. is restricted to Eyre Peninsula and the eastern Nullarbor of South Australia, whereas C. flavescens sp. nov. is a narrow‐range endemic, restricted to the western Swan Coastal Plain (Quindalup dune system) in the mesic biome of south‐western Western Australia (mean annual rainfall ~700–900 mm), with an estimated extent of occurrence of approximately 1600 km 2 . Croitana aestiva, C. arenaria and C. flavescens sp. nov. are all of conservation concern. IUCN Red List Criteria indicate that C. flavescens sp. nov. is Endangered (EN)—it is currently threatened with extinction by habitat loss and fragmentation through urbanisation, and priorities for further research include surveys, habitat reservation and monitoring to underpin effective conservation management of the species. The lectotype male of Mesodina croites pindar Waterhouse, 1932, a junior synonym of Cyclopides croites Hewitson [1874], in the Australian Museum, Sydney was found to have been stolen by C. Wyatt and substituted with a different specimen that has the original Waterhouse labels; the type specimen and its original data label are currently housed in the Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Germany.

Abstract Understanding the oviposition and foraging behaviour of pestiferous lepidopterans on their economically important food plants guides the development of effective pest management tactics. Here, we examined the oviposition behaviour and larval establishment of three noctuid species on a single crop—capsicum ( Capsicum annuum ). We selected pest species that are known to infest capsicum crops to varying degrees—the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera ; the cluster caterpillar, Spodoptera litura ; and the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda . Although related, these species differ in their known host‐plant preferences and larval feeding behaviour. We conducted a series of glasshouse experiments examining moth oviposition and larval survival on different crop stages and the ability of neonate larvae to feed and establish on capsicum fruits at different stages of development. Although all three species oviposited on capsicum plants, S. litura laid more eggs than the other species and targeted most of their eggs to plants rather than the cage wall, indicating a preference for the plant. S. litura larvae demonstrated the highest level of survival (48%) when left unrestricted on capsicum plants, whereas only a small proportion of S. frugiperda (12%) and H. armigera (3%) larvae survived on capsicum plants. Surprisingly, most surviving S. frugiperda larvae were found feeding inside capsicum fruits. The results generated in this study demonstrate how in‐field infestations of these noctuids in capsicum arise and will guide further development of pest management strategies for these pests in capsicum.

Abstract Ambiguity over the features that differentiate two nominal species of baetid mayflies, Cloeon paradieniense Suter and C. tasmaniae Tillyard, in southeast Australia led to a detailed analysis of the morphology and meristics of specimens from Victoria, South Australia and, in particular, Tasmania, where both species have been reported. The data indicate a broad overlap in almost all features between the two taxa, suggesting they are synonymous (also supported by an analysis of CO1 sequences), but also diverse, with highly localised differences among sites, even on the scale of 10s of kilometres and within drainages, despite the broad distribution of the species, slight genetic differences between mainland and Tasmanian specimens, and evidence of significant aerial dispersal capability. We speculate that the localisation reflects gene pools at each site that are much smaller than expected due to some combination of temporally patchy recruitment within long reproductive seasons, strong founder effects in ephemeral habitats, dispersal and mortality schedules that differ with female reproductive strategies, and inbreeding due to facultative parthenogenesis. On the basis of their overlapping morphology and genetics, C. paradieniense is recognised as a junior synonym of C. tasmaniae .

No abstract is available for this article.

Abstract Over 870 species of scale insects, also called coccoids (infraorder Coccomorpha), have been recorded from Australia. Here, we systematically review literature, databases and collections to provide a revised assessment of non‐native species to Australia, for which we confirm those species that are introduced and extant in Australia (including deliberate introductions and new detections), species previously reported as introduced that we consider extirpated from Australia or the result of dubious records and some previously considered introduced that are possibly native to Australia. Of the 15 new and recent species records for Australia, 14 are considered established in the environment, while one is known only from a controlled nursery environment and not considered established. Despite available resources, it is impossible to unequivocally determine the status of some taxa in terms of whether they are indigenous to Australia or have been introduced by humans. We report new records that may be either introductions or possibly native species, and we discuss taxonomic uncertainty affecting records of species, such as for the mealybug Vryburgia trionymoides . Nevertheless, this checklist will be of utility to biosecurity practitioners and taxonomists in providing the most authoritative list of introduced coccoids to Australia that now represent approximately 17% of all coccoid species known to be present. This list will, however, require ongoing maintenance to remain current.

Abstract The diverse infraorder Mygalomorphae includes fossorial and cryptic spiders, such as tarantulas and trapdoor spiders. Their ability to disperse is often highly limited, rendering some mygalomorphs as rare short‐range endemics. These species are vulnerable to landscape changes, often hard to detect, and have poorly understood reproductive biology, making it difficult to develop conservation management strategies. Mygalomorphs also frequently have high intraspecific male size variation, although it is unclear what explains this. The South Australian spiny trapdoor spider Blakistonia aurea Hogg, 1902 (Idiopidae) is a species with highly variable male sizes, a surprisingly widespread distribution and is well‐represented in museum collections. This species is also important for the conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard ( Tiliqua adelaidensis Peters, 1863), which preferentially uses their burrows for shelter. We studied the biology of B. aurea as a model to investigate male size variation and the natural history of cryptic mygalomorph spiders of conservation significance. We test whether sexually selected male dimorphism or geographic variation explain the naturally high variation in B. aurea male sizes. We then describe burrow structure from two regions of South Australia, as well as aspects of the species' natural history, including breeding seasonality, egg sac structure, clutch size and interspecific interactions. Finally, we also report on a mating observed in laboratory conditions, providing the first detailed description of mating behaviour in an Australian spiny trapdoor spider (Idiopidae: Arbanitinae). We found significant differences in burrow lid size for mature females from different regions, but no evidence for male dimorphism or geography underlying the unusual variation in male sizes. The reproductive cycle of the species is very long, with mating occurring from autumn to early spring, egg sacs being produced in summer, and offspring remaining in the maternal burrow for several weeks to a few months. Overall, we provide novel insights that add to the existing body of Idiopidae natural history research, which will help better inform crucial conservation management.

Abstract Four new species of Sycorax Haliday, 1839 are described: Sycorax alumna sp. nov. , Sycorax catarina sp. nov. , Sycorax paranaensis sp. nov. , and Sycorax striga sp. nov. , with the females of Sycorax striga sp. nov. bearing characteristics that suggest haematophagous behaviour. Novel defining characters were used for the first time in a taxonomic work on the Sycoracinae. All described species were collected from parts of the Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil, significantly expanding the distribution of the genus in South America. The morphology of the new species was compared with the known fauna of Sycoracinae, both Neotropical and from other biogeographical regions.

Abstract The genera of Miracinae, currently in something of a state of flux, are discussed with respect to their morphological and molecular attributes. Centistidea Rohwer, 1914 is treated provisionally as a valid genus, distinct from Mirax Haliday, 1833, based partly on propodeal morphology, though this is acknowledged to be an unstable character across the subfamily. Molecular data from two previous studies of Australian Miracinae are discussed. Centistidea albantennalis Liu & Polaszek, 2014 is newly recorded from Papua New Guinea. Two new species of Centistidea are described from Australia: Centistidea cellula Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. and Centistidea paraillidops Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. Two new species of Mirax : Mirax tasmaniensis Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. and Mirax polita Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. are described from Australia. Mirax arcicensis Slater‐Baker & Fagan‐Jeffries, 2022, M. caelicus Slater‐Baker & Fagan‐Jeffries, 2022 and M. supremus Slater‐Baker, 2025 are transferred to Centistidea , hence the following new combinations Centistidea arcicensis (Slater‐Baker & Fagan‐Jeffries, 2022) comb. nov. , Centistidea caelica (Slater‐Baker & Fagan‐Jeffries, 2022) comb. nov. and Centistidea suprema (Slater‐Baker, 2025) comb. nov. A key to Mirax species of the world is provided, based mainly on published descriptions.

Abstract Biological collections are fundamental resources for biodiversity research, although they remain underutilised in many taxonomic efforts. In this study, we examine specimens deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) to describe a new genus and species of cricket belonging to the tribe Neometrypini (Tafaliscinae). Annelotrypa gen. nov. and its type species, Annelotrypa xerophila sp. nov. , are described based on specimens collected in the arboreal Caatinga of Bahia, Brazil. This taxon represents the first confirmed record of Neometrypini in this xerophytic biome. The new genus is diagnosed by a distinctive combination of morphological traits, including an elongated, cylindrical body; micropterous forewings that do not medially cover the meso‐ and metanotum; laterally flattened fore and mid femora approximately twice as thick as their corresponding tibiae; hind tibiae (TIII) with a subapical spur formula of 4/0 (inner/outer); and short, rounded cerci that do not exceed the hind femora. Detailed morphological descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of external features and genitalia for both sexes are provided. Additionally, an updated identification key to the genera of Neometrypini (excluding the taxonomically uncertain Nessa Walker, 1879) is presented. This study expands the known diversity and distribution of Neometrypini in South America and emphasises the importance of continued taxonomic work within Tafaliscinae, particularly in poorly sampled habitats such as the Caatinga.