Wing Margin Research Articles

Discovery of new brown lacewings from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber highlights the Cretaceous diversity of Hemerobiidae (Insecta: Neuroptera)

Two new genera and two new species of the lacewing family Hemerobiidae, Mischemerobia yumini Chen, Zhuo & Liu gen. et sp. nov. and Pararchaeomegaloma suzheni Chen, Zhuo & Liu gen. et sp. nov., are described from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber in northern Myanmar. Mischemerobia Chen, Zhuo & Liu gen. nov. differs from the other genera by the complex configuration of forewing recurrent humeral veinlet, the presence of two forewing ORBs, and the forewing MP distally fused with CuA. Pararchaeomegaloma Chen, Zhuo & Liu gen. nov. can be distinguished from the other genera by the presence of only one forewing ORB, with posterior most branch deeply forked, and the forewing MP forked near wing margin. Our finding provides new evidence for understanding the Cretaceous diversity and early diversification of brown lacewings.

Recircumscription of the genera Goniozus and Sierola (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) based on morphological and molecular evidence

A number of undescribed species of the bethylid genera Goniozus and Sierola have been discovered in Australia and North America with character states that had previously been thought to be exclusive to one or the other, prompting a re-examination of the generic boundaries. Analysis of a large dataset of cytochrome oxidase I mtDNA sequences and key morphological characters found that Goniozus is well defined by two insertion-deletion events in COI. The traditional morphological characters can also be used to separate the genera, but variation within the regional fauna must be taken into account. Sierola always has four maxillary palpomeres; Goniozus usually has five, but some Nearctic species have four. Goniozus always has cell 2R1 of the fore wing open, with vein Rs weakly curved; Sierola has Rs bent sharply towards the wing margin, usually closing 2R1, but a small number of recently-described Hawaiian species and many undescribed Australian species and have it narrowly to moderately open. As a result of these changes, two species are transferred from Goniozus to Sierola: Sierola angulata (Muesebeck, 1933) comb. nov. from Australia, and Sierola jamiei (Ward, 2013) comb. nov. from New Zealand.

The First Cretaceous Epyrine Wasp (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae): A New Genus and Species from Early Cenomanian Kachin Amber.

The Epyrinae are the second largest subfamily of Bethylidae and the most diverse in the fossil record. However, although six of the nine bethylid subfamilies are known during the Cretaceous (either as compression or amber fossils), the Epyrinae were hitherto unknown before the lower Eocene. In this contribution, we report the discovery of the oldest member of this group, based on a female specimen from the early Cenomanian amber of Kachin, Myanmar. We describe and illustrate a new genus and species, Hukawngepyris setosus gen. et sp. nov. The new genus is compared with the other epyrine genera and characterized by a unique combination of characters not known in the subfamily. Hukawngepyris setosus gen. et sp. nov. is especially unique in the configuration of the forewing venation, with a complete 2r-rs&Rs vein, curved towards the anterior wing margin, and the presence of three proximal and three distal hamuli. The key to the genera of Epyrinae is accommodated to include the newly erected genus.

New Cretaceous Fossil Achilidae Taxa (Insecta, Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) from Burmese Ambers with Description of Niryasaburniini Trib. Nov.

A new species Niryasaburnia nigrutomia sp. nov. of the planthopper family Achilidae from Burmese amber collected from Hukawng Valley (Tanai) of northern Myanmar, is described, notably based on forewing pattern coloration and metatibiotarsal teeth conformation. A new fossil genus with its type species Sinuovenaxius kachinensis gen. et sp. nov. is also described. The tribe Niryasaburniini trib. nov. is established to include Niryasaburnia Szwedo, 2004, and Sinuovenaxius gen. nov., based on a unique combination of characters, of which the following states are particularly notable: head with compound eyes around half the length of pronotum, late forking of ScP+R and CuA after the fusion of Pcu+A1 on the forewing, apical teeth of metatarsomeres I and II both with subapical platellar sensilla, and a unique hindwing pattern with simple RP and biforked MP, CuA with two terminals only, and with A2 simple, reaching the posterior wing margin. The hindwing venation of this new tribe with RP with only one terminal and both MP and CuA with two terminals is unique in Achilidae.

New Euthemistid Damsel–Dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of Northern China (Odonata, Isophlebioidea, Euthemistidae)

A new genus and new species of the euthemistid, Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. It can be assigned to the Euthemistidae by the several long intercalary veins between RP1 and IR1, IR1 and RP2, as well as between RP2 and IR2 and between IR2 and RP3/4. Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov. distinguishes from the other two genera of this family by the presence of not less than eight intercalary veins between MP and wing margin; about three rows of cells in the distal part between MA and MP; the base of IR2 is two cells distal to that of RP3/4. In addition, a revision of the family Euthemistidae has been proposed.

Begonia abhak (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

A new Begonia species, Begonia abhak, from section Petermannia is described and illustrated. Growing on shady, moist, rocky slopes alongside a small creek of Bujon, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The new species resembles Begonia panayensis in having glabrous stems, membranous, shiny leaves, oblong to oblanceolate lamina, acuminate apex and green ovary with pink wings but is distinct in having short stems, broadly ovate stipules, acute leaf base, serrated margins, and the slashed or jagged to almost entire margins of the capsule wings. Based on IUCN criteria, B. abhak is hereby proposed as Least Concern (LC).

Rugigegat lucyvoronovae sp. n. (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae) from Northern India with world catalogue of the Genus

The article describes Rugigegat lucyvoronovae Yakovlev & Kozlov sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae) distributed in the Northern India (Sikhim). The article has nine illustrations. The new species is most close to R. radzha Yakovlev, 2022, from which is differs in a series of characters. In contrast to the new species, the mottled portion on the anal margin of the fore wing in R. radzha does not reach the anal angle of the wing, the gnathos arms are significantly shorter, the valve is noticeably narrowing basally. The world catalog of the genus Rugigegat Schoorl, 1990 is presented. For the first time, we give the description and images of the male and female genitalia of R. nigra. We provide the data on the endemics of the superfamily Cossoidea in the Western Ghats − Sri Lanka and Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspots.

Wing pattern diversity in Eunica butterflies (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae): phylogenetic analysis implies decoupled adaptive trends in dorsal sexual dimorphism and ventral eyespot evolution.

Butterfly eyespots are wing patterns reminiscent of vertebrate eyes, formed by concentric rings of contrastingly coloured scales. Eyespots are usually located close to the wing margin and often regarded as the single most conspicuous pattern element of butterfly wing colour displays. Recent efforts to understand the processes involved in the formation of eyespots have been driven mainly by evo-devo approaches focused on model species. However, patterns of change implied by phylogenetic relationships can also inform hypotheses about the underlying developmental mechanisms associated with the formation or disappearance of eyespots, and the limits of phenotypic diversity occurring in nature. Here we present a combined evidence phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus Eunica, a prominent member of diverse Neotropical butterfly communities, that features notable variation among species in eyespot patterns on the ventral hind wing surface. The data matrix consists of one mitochondrial gene region (COI), four nuclear gene regions (GAPDH, RPS5, EF1a and Wingless) and 68 morphological characters. A combined cladistic analysis with all the characters concatenated produced a single most parsimonious tree that, although fully resolved, includes many nodes with modest branch support. The phylogenetic hypothesis presented corroborates a previously proposed morphological trend leading to the loss of eyespots, together with an increase in the size of the conserved eyespots, relative to outgroup taxa. Furthermore, wing colour pattern dimorphism and the presence of androconia suggest that the most remarkable instances of sexual dimorphism are present in the species of Eunica with the most derived eyespot patterns, and are in most cases accompanied by autapomorphic combinations of scent scales and "hair pencils". We discuss natural and sexual selection as potential adaptive explanations for dorsal and ventral wing patterns.

Frizzled2 receives WntA signaling during butterfly wing pattern formation.

Butterfly color patterns provide visible and biodiverse phenotypic readouts of the patterning processes. Although the secreted ligand WntA has been shown to instruct the color pattern formation in butterflies, its mode of reception remains elusive. Butterfly genomes encode four homologs of the Frizzled-family of Wnt receptors. Here, we show that CRISPR mosaic knockouts of frizzled2 (fz2) phenocopy the color pattern effects of WntA loss of function in multiple nymphalids. Whereas WntA mosaic clones result in intermediate patterns of reduced size, fz2 clones are cell-autonomous, consistent with a morphogen function. Shifts in expression of WntA and fz2 in WntA crispant pupae show that they are under positive and negative feedback, respectively. Fz1 is required for Wnt-independent planar cell polarity in the wing epithelium. Fz3 and Fz4 show phenotypes consistent with Wnt competitive-antagonist functions in vein formation (Fz3 and Fz4), wing margin specification (Fz3), and color patterning in the Discalis and Marginal Band Systems (Fz4). Overall, these data show that the WntA/Frizzled2 morphogen-receptor pair forms a signaling axis that instructs butterfly color patterning and shed light on the functional diversity of insect Frizzled receptors.

TnaA, a trithorax group protein, modulates wingless expression in different regions of the Drosophila wing imaginal disc

wingless expression is exquisitely regulated by different factors and enhancers in the imaginal wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster in four domains: the dorsal band, the dorso-ventral boundary, and the inner and outer ring domains. tonalli is a trithorax group gene that encodes a putative SUMO E3 ligase that binds to chromatin to regulate the expression of its targets, including the Hox genes. However, its role in modulating gene expression is barely known. Here, we show that TnaA modulates the wingless expression at two domains of the wing disc, the dorso-ventral boundary and the inner ring. At first, tonalli interacts genetically with Notch to form the wing margin. In the inner ring domain, TnaA modulates wingless transcription. When the dosage of TnaA increases in or near the inner ring since early larval stages, this domain expands with a rapid increase in wingless expression. TnaA occupies the wingless Inner Ring Enhancer at the wing disc, meanwhile it does not affect wingless expression directed by the Ventral Disc Enhancer in leg discs, suggesting that TnaA acts as a wingless enhancer-specific factor. We describe for the first time the presence of TnaA at the Inner Ring Enhancer as a specific regulator of wingless in the development of wing boundaries.

Flow field analysis and noise characteristics of an automotive cooling fan at different speeds

As the core component of the automotive air conditioning cooling system, the automotive cooling fan directly affects the cooling performance of the entire system. Therefore, it is necessary to study the flow field and noise of the automotive cooling fan. This study focuses on the analysis off low field characteristics and noise generation in an automotive air conditioning systems, specifically related to an automobile cooling fan at different speeds. The flow field properties of the fan are examined through the distribution off low line trajectory, pressure distribution on the blade surface, and velocity distribution characteristics at various speeds. The analysis reveals that the maximum air velocity occurs at the point where the fan blade meets the wind guard, while the maximum pressure is observed at this point and at the edge where the fan blade cuts through the cavity. Furthermore, a monitoring point located 1 m in front of the fan is selected to study the average value of fan pneumatic noise pulsation and generate a noise cloud map, aiming to identify the main noise source of the fan. To better understand the noise distribution and variation at different speeds, various noise metrics are utilized, including noise Sound Pressure Level (SPL) spectrum, 1/3-octave SPL spectrum, and 1/3-octave A-weighted SPL spectrum. The noise characterization results indicate that the primary areas of fan noise generation are located at the tip of the leaf margin of the forward swept wing. This research provides valuable insights for the improvement and optimization of the cooling fan design, as well as subsequent noise reduction efforts.

Blurring the limits of anaxyelid subfamilies: a new genus and species (Hymenoptera: Anaxyelidae) from the Albian of the Republic of Korea

Hanguksyntexis haeretica gen. et sp. nov. is the first Anaxyelidae described and illustrated from the early Albian Jinju Formation (Republic of Korea). This new taxon is attributed to the subfamily Syntexinae because of its forewing venation (i.e., 1-Rs+M forking at 1m-cu level), but differs from all other syntexines genera because of its peculiar shape and length of 2r cell (ca. twice as long as wide, not distinctly widened apically nor basally) and by its vein 6-Rs strongly curved distally towards wing margin. The discovery of this new genus challenges the clear differentiation between Anaxyelinae and Syntexinae, prompting a thorough discussion on the diagnostic value of the wing venation characters that were previously used to distinguish the two subfamilies. Consequently, the genus Cretosyntexis Rasnitsyn & Martínez-Delclòs, 2000 is transferred to Anaxyelinae.

Sphenoparietal Sinus Transposition: Operative Technique for Optimizing Pretemporal Posterior Circulation Access While Preserving the Sylvian Venous Complex

Transsylvian approaches are a cornerstone of complex cranial operations, with wide applicability across cerebrovascular, skull base, and neuro-oncology operations. Deep lesions, especially those involving the basilar apex, midbrain, or interpeduncular fossa, require wide exposures that may be inhibited by the presence of a large complex of superficial sylvian veins (SSV) draining into the sphenoparietal sinus. This report describes technical and clinical aspects of the sphenoparietal sinus transposition (SPST) technique. Technical case report of the SPST technique, including a step-by-step neuroanatomic description, overview of common indications, clinical pearls and pitfalls, and illustrative case examples. Once the benefits of proceeding with SPST have been established, the maneuver is initiated with 2 stepwise dural incisions: an incision from lateral to medial along the lateral margin of the lesser sphenoid wing, followed by an orthogonal cut across the temporal pole down the middle fossa floor. The pretemporal dura is peeled off the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, allowing mobilization of the SSV complex and temporal pole posteriorly without disrupting or straining the connection point at the sphenoparietal sinus. Illustrative case examples include a clip reconstruction of a basilar apex aneurysm for which earlier endovascular treatment had failed and microsurgical resection of a peduncular cavernous malformation. SPST is a simple but versatile technique with important applications in complex cranial surgery. By mobilizing the SSV complex together with its dural attachment, the transsylvian corridor can be markedly widened, allowing access to the basilar apex region and ventral midbrain.

A new campterophlebiid damsel-dragonfly (Odonata: Isophlebioidea) from the Middle Jurassic Yanan Formation of Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, NW China

The family Campterophlebiidae Handlirsch, 1920 is the dominant Jurassic clade of Odonata Fabricius, 1793, especially hosting a high diversification in northern China. The Chinese campterophlebiid damsel-dragonflies were mainly recovered from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, northern China. In the present study, a new campterophlebiid, Parasinitsia qingyunensis n. gen., n. sp., is described from the early Middle Jurassic Yanan Formation of the Ordos Basin, NW China. Parasinitsia n. gen. resembles the genus Sinitsia Pritykina, 2006 recorded from the Upper Jurassic of eastern Transbaikalia, but differs from the latter in having two or three rows of cells between RA and RP1 distal of the pterostigma, IR2 and RP3/4 with at least four rows of cells near the wing margin, and CuAa with about 15 rows of cells between it and the posterior wing margin in the broadest area. The new damsel-dragonfly comes from a new early Middle Jurassic insect site from the Ordos Basin, providing new clues to understand the terrestrial ecosystems during this epoch.

Involvement of the scalloped gene in morphogenesis of the wing margin via regulating cell growth in a hemimetabolous insect Gryllus bimaculatus.

The acquisition of wings was a key event in insect evolution. As hemimetabolous insects were the first group to acquire functional wings, establishing the mechanisms of wing formation in this group could provide useful insights into their evolution. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the expression and function of the gene scalloped (sd), which is involved in wing formation in Drosophila melanogaster, and in Gryllus bimaculatus mainly during postembryonic development. Expression analysis showed that sd is expressed in the tergal edge, legs, antennae, labrum, and cerci during embryogenesis and in the distal margin of the wing pads from at least the sixth instar in the mid to late stages. Because sd knockout caused early lethality, nymphal RNA interference experiments were performed. Malformations were observed in the wings, ovipositor, and antennae. By analyzing the effects on wing morphology, it was revealed that sd is mainly involved in the formation of the margin, possibly through the regulation of cell proliferation. In conclusion, sd might regulate the local growth of wing pads and influence wing margin morphology in Gryllus.

New petalurid dragonfly (Odonata: Aktassiidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of northern China

A new species Pseudocymatophlebia bisecta sp. nov. (Odonata: Aktassiidae) is described from the Lower Cretaceous of China. It is assigned to this family by the typical very dense wing venation with a distinctly increased number of cells in the regions of R and M, the area between RP3/4 and MA widened near the posterior wing margin on forewing, with more than three rows of cells; RP3/4 undulate and distally diverging from MA. Pseudocymatophlebia bisecta sp. nov. differs from the other two species of this genus by discoidal triangle two-celled, elongate and wide in both fore- and hind wings. In addition, a revision of the genus Pseudocymatophlebia has been proposed.

New species and new records of Polynema-group genera (Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae) from India

Two new species of the Polynema group of genera (Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae), Palaeoneura razii Anwar, Zeya and Usman sp. nov. and Acmopolynema misbahae Anwar, Zeya and Usman sp. nov. are described from India. Palaeoneura razii is quite remarkable in having short axillar setae and the posterior margin of the fore wing without a distinct lobe and curve. Hence, together with another described species, P. farmani Amer and Zeya from India, this new taxon is placed in the informal farmani species group of the genus Palaeoneura. In addition, we record new country and state records for two other species, A. dilemma Triapitsyn and Berezovskiy and A. malabaricum Subba Rao, respectively. A key to the Indian genera of the Polynema group is also provided. Article LSID: http://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D844F28F-6883-4B17-B433-23D3231CE719 Species LSID: Palaeoneura razii Anwar, Zeya & Usman http://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:864A3309-9A66-4722-8F1C-40F32E0AAB82 Acmopolynema misbahae Anwar, Zeya & Usmanhttp://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E4721150-0824-4085-BEAD-376D7EBDE03

Updating the taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the aberrant genus Coenosopsia Malloch (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract Coenosopsia Malloch has eight known species distributed from southern North America to south-eastern South America. The species of the genus are morphologically very homogeneous, and major differences remain in male terminalia. Remarkably, two of the main diagnostic characteristics of Anthomyiidae are absent in this genus: the setulae on the ventral surface of the scutellum and vein A1 reaching the wing margin. Some studies have attempted to propose biogeographical narratives, primarily for the Neotropical distribution of the genus. Herein, we describe three new species of Coenosopsia from north-eastern Brazil (Coenosopsia limeirai sp. nov.), southern Brazil (Coenosopsia ribeiroi sp. nov.), and central Mexico (Coenosopsia azteca sp. nov.) and present an identification key. In addition, we present an updated phylogenetic analysis based on morphological evidence, which recovered Coenosopsia as monophyletic based on five synapomorphies and four homoplasies. We also presented the first biogeographical hypothesis of Coenosopsia based on biogeographic methods (ancestral reconstruction character and S-DIVA analyses), which indicated a Mesoamerican origin of the genus.

The frequency of wing damage in a migrating butterfly.

The ability to fly is crucial for migratory insects. Consequently, the accumulation of damage on the wings over time can affect survival, especially for species that travel long distances. We examined the frequency of irreversible wing damage in the migratory butterfly Vanessa cardui to explore the effect of wing structure on wing damage frequency, as well as the mechanisms that might mitigate wing damage. An exceptionally high migration rate driven by high precipitation levels in their larval habitats in the winter of 2018-2019 provided us with an excellent opportunity to collect data on the frequency of naturally occurring wing damage associated with long-distance flights. Digital images of 135 individuals of V. cardui were collected and analyzed in Germany. The results show that the hindwings experienced a greater frequency of damage than the forewings. Moreover, forewings experienced more severe damage on the lateral margin, whereas hindwings experienced more damage on the trailing margin. The frequency of wing margin damage was higher in the painted lady butterfly than in the migrating monarch butterfly and in the butterfly Pontia occidentalis following artificially induced wing collisions. The results of this study could be used in future comparative studies of patterns of wing damage in butterflies and other insects. Additional studies are needed to clarify whether the strategies for coping with wing damage differ between migratory and nonmigratory species.

Cover Caption

As a species of butterflies, the blue tiger (Tirumala limniace) folds its wings to utilize the cooling power of wing scales when overheated by sunshine. However, it remained unclear what the cooling system looks like. It is found that light scales, dark scales, and scales on wing veins and margins are distinctly different in the nanostructure. The scale hierarchy of T. limniace diversifies through a single wing at the micro to nano‐level on both surface and section, corresponding to the different cooling efficiency (see pages 1761‐1772). Photo provided by Yu‐Jie Wang.