Abstract Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies, is a hyper‐diverse family of true flies thriving in terrestrial ecosystems around the world with importance to conservation and economy. However, true grass fly diversity and evolutionary affinities are still largely unknown leading to an obscure classification at varied taxonomic levels. The massive lack of data on grass fly evolution hampers studies ranging from species discovery to diversification and provision of ecological services. To overcome this issue, we provide the first comprehensive phylogeny of worldwide Chloropidae using whole‐genome shotgun sequencing to retrieve mitochondrial genes, ultraconserved elements and single‐copy orthologs. With this, we generated genomic resources from all subfamilies, 95% of the tribes and 48% of the chloropid genera from all biogeographic regions which provides an invaluable resource for biodiversity studies worldwide. Overall, our results provide novel genomic data of over 100 fly species and our data confirm the monophyly of Chloropidae and relationship with Milichiidae, also supporting a reassessment of Chloropidae classification. We implemented dramatic changes in the grass fly classification system that redefine Siphonellopsinae, propose two new tribes, reassign the tribal position of 60 genera, and synonymize six suprageneric taxa. All three subfamilies—Chloropinae, Oscinellinae and Siphonellopsinae—and 19 tribes represent well‐supported clades based on Maximum Likelihood analyses. In addition, we reveal a novel synapomorphy for the family, elucidate grass fly sister‐group, and assess the utility of the mitochondrial genome alone to recover evolutionary relationships of recent lineages of flies. This study is fundamental to mitigate the neglect associated with grass flies through an unprecedented source of genomic data, ultimately providing a novel framework for understanding the rapid evolution of the last and most species‐rich radiation of flies.

Abstract Bibionomorpha is a large and diverse dipteran infraorder, of which its composition and family‐level relationships have long been debated. In this study, we constructed a phylogenomic tree of Bibionomorpha using an extensive dataset of transcriptomic, genomic and anchored hybrid enrichment data. To further investigate the evolutionary timeline of the group, we also generated a fossil‐calibrated time tree using data‐driven calibration priors. Bibionomorpha, comprising Anisopodoidea, Bibionoidea, Scatopsoidea and Sciaroidea, is recovered as the sister group to Brachycera. Axymyiidae and Perissommatidae, which have been considered part of Bibionomorpha by some authorities, are instead recovered as sister to the Bibionomorpha + Brachycera. We discuss recalcitrant nodes within the infraorder, particularly regarding the placements of Bolitophilidae and Cecidomyiidae. Although tentative, phylogenetic network analysis suggests a possible reticulation event leading to Bolitophilidae, while mitochondrial data support a sex‐specific hybridization event between ancestral Cecidomyiidae and Sciaridae + Diadocidiidae group. Time tree analyses suggest a Lower Triassic or deeper origin of Bibionomorpha, consistent with fossil evidence.

Abstract The genus Chelonus Panzer is one of the largest genera within the subfamily Cheloninae with 11 subgenera and more than 1000 valid species. However, the phylogenetic relationships of species within this genus and their coevolutionary relationships with endogenous bracoviriforms (BVfs) remain unclear. Here we provide the first phylogenomic analysis of 42 taxa representing all 11 subgenera of Chelonus and other species within the Cheloninae using 2380 loci of ultraconserved elements (UCEs). The results showed that the subgenus Arichelonus Viereck has an isolated position outside of the rest of Chelonus , while the other 10 subgenera formed a monophyletic group, the traditional genus Chelonus . Four subgenera within Chelonus , that is, Chelonus s. str., Megachelonus Baker, Microchelonus Szépligeti and Parachelonus Tobias are polyphyletic, suggesting that the traditional genus Chelonus could be further divided into 14 clades. Divergence time estimates indicated that the subgenus Arichelonus diverged approximately 35.5 million years ago, while most species within the genus Chelonus diversified <21.9 million years ago. Ancestral state reconstructions revealed morphological innovations of the subfamily, including metasomal curvature, which may be linked to host‐use strategies. Cophylogenetic analyses demonstrated that a strong congruence of parasitoid‐bracoviriform exists and confirmed that BVf nudivirus genes and virulence genes displayed different evolutionary trajectories. Altogether, our findings provide new insights into the evolutionary history of the genus Chelonus and substantiated the coevolutionary relationships between the parasitoids and their associated BVfs.

Abstract Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone‐shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben‐Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon ) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny‐based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str . only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n ., Bordus Navás stat. rev ., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev ., Cocius Navás stat. rev ., Enza Navás stat. rev ., Macroleon Banks stat. rev ., Moreyus Navás stat. rev ., Morter Navás stat. rev ., Neleon Navás stat. rev ., Neseurus Navás stat. rev ., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev . and Tafanerus Navás stat rev .), while Neohornius stat. rev ., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n ., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n . Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n ., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n . and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n .

Abstract In this study, we present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for Platystomatidae based on morphological evidence. The matrix consisted of 194 characters, 129 terminals, five outgroups and 124 ingroups. Based on this dataset, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using a traditional search with the Tree Bisection and Reconnection (TBR) algorithm under implied weighting with k = 27. A tree with a length of 2437, a consistency index of 12 and a retention index of 45 were recorded. The family was recovered with three synapomorphies, and four subfamilies were identified. Trapherinae was recovered with two tribes: Trapherini and Xirini. Plastotephritinae included two tribes: Agrochirini and Plastotephritini. Scholastinae was recovered with one tribe: Scholastini. Lastly, Platystomatinae was recovered with six tribes: (Rivelini (Cleitamiini (Senopterini (Achiini, Platystomatini)))). In addition, a classification is proposed upon the hypotheses obtained, and a new genus and new species, of Trapherinae, are described: Trapheroplatystoma Rodrigues, Carvalho & Mello gen. nov., T. cabila Rodrigues, Carvalho & Mello sp. nov. Additionally, an updated key to the genera of Trapherinae is presented. Lectotype male and one paralectotype male are herein designated to the species Eopiara chrysoptera Frey, 1964.

Abstract The cicada tribe Platypleurini, characterized by a remarkably flattened body, is distributed mainly in the Afrotropical and Oriental regions with a few species also occurring in the eastern Palearctic Region. Prior phylogenetic analyses revealed polyphyly among Oriental genera, and phylogeny and phylogeographical patterns of related ‘sibling’ species remain unclear. Here we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of representative platypleurines and population differentiation of two Oriental species using molecular data combined with genomic data of their obligate endosymbionts Karelsulcia and Hodgkinia . We revealed that platypleurines and Karelsulcia exhibit congruent phylogenies at both the species and population levels, and that Karelsulcia has undergone continuous genomic erosion, manifested as varying degrees of pseudogenization. The phylogeny of Hodgkinia also reflects that of platypleurines, and its genomes underwent further splitting and expansion concomitant with the diversification of host cicadas. The initial divergence of Platypleurini and that of the major Afrotropical and Asian lineages were ca. 44.58 Ma and ca. 37.27 Ma, respectively, corresponding to the initial collision between the Arabian Plate and the Eurasian Plate during the Late Eocene and Early Oligocene. We established Asianopleura gen. nov . , reassigned Eopycna coelestia to Neoplatypleura and described E. autumnalis sp. nov . Both E. repanda and N. coelestia comb. nov . diverged into distinct phylogroups during the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, indicating that contemporaneous geological activities and climatic oscillations acted as pivotal drivers in the diversification of these mountain specialists. This study yields novel insights into ecological diversification of Platypleurini and co‐evolutionary dynamics between cicadas and associated endosymbionts.

Abstract Previous phylogenomic analyses of Membracoidea have strongly supported the monophyly of most currently recognized subfamilies of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) but suggested that some revisions to the higher classification are needed. However, the most taxon‐rich previous analysis included very few representatives of some family‐group taxa. Here, a dataset comprising sequences from 269 taxa, ca. twice as many loci and taxa as the largest previous phylogenomic dataset for Membracoidea and representing all extant families, subfamilies and over 96% of the extant tribes, was analysed using concatenated and coalescent methods to test previous results and provide a stronger basis for revisions to the higher classification. The following taxonomic changes are proposed based on the consistently strong branch support for several lineages in both concatenated maximum likelihood and coalescent gene tree analyses. Cicadellinae is expanded to include tribes Makilingiini and Tungurahualini, both previously included in Mileewinae. Mileewinae is therefore restricted to include the nominotypical tribe and Tinteromini. Errhomeninae, most recently treated as a tribe of Aphrodinae, is elevated to subfamily status and includes tribes Bathysmatophorini, Euacanthellini and Malmaemichungiini. Portanini is transferred from Aphrodinae to Neocoelidiinae. The concept of Aphrodinae is consequently narrowed to include only the nominotypical tribe, Sagmatiini and Xestocephalini. Neobalinae is expanded to include Equeefini, a tribe previously included in Coelidiinae. The morphologically aberrant soil‐dwelling genus Paulianiana from Madagascar, previously placed in Sagmatiini (Aphrodinae), is transferred to Ledrinae. The Australian endemic tribes Thymbrini and Stenocotini, most recently placed in Tartessinae, are transferred to Ledrinae. Tartessinae is restricted to include the nominotypical tribe, Neopsini and Tardrabassus (new placement, previously unplaced to a tribe within Iassinae). Although most leafhopper subfamilies, as currently defined, are consistently recovered as monophyletic with strong support, these major lineages are connected to each other by very short, deep internal branches and their relationships remain unstable. Aphrodinae, Eurymelinae, Iassinae, Mileewinae, Ledrinae and Tartessinae, as currently defined, were not consistently recovered as monophyletic, but support for their non‐monophyly was also low, so their current definitions are retained, pending further analyses. Keys to the families of Membracoidea and to the 19 currently recognized leafhopper subfamilies are provided. Divergence time estimates suggest that Cicadellidae originated during the Middle Triassic (~224 mya) and began to diverge at ~217 mya, with most modern leafhopper subfamilies arising during the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods.

Abstract Aotearoa New Zealand is home to a remarkable number of endemic taxa, some of which have existed on the archipelago since before the breakup of Gondwana. The mite harvesters (suborder Cyphophthalmi), tiny non‐spider arachnids that dwell in forest leaf litter and caves, are one such group. The mite harvester family Pettalidae Shear exhibits a classic Gondwanan distribution with notable diversity in Aotearoa, which is home to three pettalid genera. Our research focuses on the evolution of the most widespread and speciose Aotearoa pettalid genus, Rakaia Hirst, 1926. Through phylogenetic analysis, we provide a window into patterns of ancient diversification and infer historical biogeographic trends. We generated subgenomic data through target enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) using an Arachnida‐specific probe set; the 50% and 75% taxon‐occupancy matrix retrieved 848 and 585 loci, respectively. In addition to generating the first fully resolved phylogeny of Rakaia , we performed a molecular clock analysis and tested for shifts in diversification rates in order to explore the effect of geological events such as the Oligocene Drowning, the uplift of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, and forest habitat contraction and fragmentation during the Last Glacial Maximum.