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The Lycoceruspallidulus subgroup, originally placed in the L.maculicollis group, is suggested as an independent species group herein and its diagnosis is redefined. Ten previously known species of Lycocerus are attributed to this group, including L.centrochinensis (Švihla, 2004), L.genaemaculatus (Wittmer, 1951), L.hubeiensis (Švihla, 2004), L.kubani (Švihla, 2004), L.zdeneki (Švihla, 2004), L.bilineatus (Wittmer, 1995), L.jelineki (Švihla, 2004), L.putzi Švihla, 2011, L.pictipennis (Wittmer, 1995), and L.curvatus (Wittmer, 1995). Additionally, six new species of this group are described from China, including L.laterophysussp. nov., L.flavipennissp. nov., L.putzimimussp. nov., L.maoershanensissp. nov., L.chongqingensissp. nov., and L.bispermathecussp. nov. These species are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII, and reproductive systems of female. In addition, an identification key and a distribution map of the L.pallidulus group are provided.The Lycoceruspallidulus subgroup, originally placed in the L.maculicollis group, is suggested as an independent species group herein and its diagnosis is redefined. Ten previously known species of Lycocerus are attributed to this group, including L.centrochinensis (Švihla, 2004), L.genaemaculatus (Wittmer, 1951), L.hubeiensis (Švihla, 2004), L.kubani (Švihla, 2004), L.zdeneki (Švihla, 2004), L.bilineatus (Wittmer, 1995), L.jelineki (Švihla, 2004), L.putzi Švihla, 2011, L.pictipennis (Wittmer, 1995), and L.curvatus (Wittmer, 1995). Additionally, six new species of this group are described from China, including L.laterophysussp. nov., L.flavipennissp. nov., L.putzimimussp. nov., L.maoershanensissp. nov., L.chongqingensissp. nov., and L.bispermathecussp. nov. These species are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII, and reproductive systems of female. In addition, an identification key and a distribution map of the L.pallidulus group are provided.

The entomophthoralean fungus Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller, previously recorded in Europe from Poland and Switzerland, is now reported in North America from New York State, United States of America. On both continents, this obligate insect pathogen is known only from resting spores found within dead, adult native soldier beetles (Cantharidae) of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1830. Resting spores have undulating, light brown episporia. In New York, columnar rhizoids attach cadavers tightly to the undersides of leaves in the understory of hardwood forests in late June and early July.

A new fossil genus and species of Cantharidae, Nothotytthonyx serratus Li, Biffi, Kundrata & Cai gen. et sp. nov. , is reported from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new species is tentatively attributed to the extant subfamily Malthininae based on a combination of characters, including the symmetrical apical maxillary palpomeres, shortened elytra, pronotum with arched margins and well-defined borders, tibiae with apical spurs, and tarsal claws simple, although its well-developed gonostyli are atypical in Malthininae. The discovery of Nothotytthonyx also suggests a possible Gondwanan origin for Malthininae.

Background Rhinorhipidae Lawrence, 1988 is an enigmatic beetle family represented by a single species, Rhinorhipus tamborinensis Lawrence, 1988, from Australia, with poorly established affinities near the superfamily Elateroidea (click beetles, soldier beetles and fireflies) or the more inclusive series (infraorder) Elateriformia. Its evolutionary position may inform the basal relationships of the suborder Polyphaga, the largest clade of Coleoptera. Results We analyzed four densely sampled DNA datasets of major coleopteran lineages for mitogenomes, rRNA genes and single copy nuclear genes. Additionally, genome sequencing was used for incorporation of R. tamborinensis into a set of 4220 orthologs for 24 terminals representing 12 polyphagan superfamilies. Topologies differed to various degrees, but all consistently refute the proposed placement of Rhinorhipidae in Elateroidea and instead indicate either sister relationships with other Elateriformia, frequently together with Nosodendridae, another divergent small family hitherto placed in Derodontoidea, or in an isolated position among the deepest lineages of Polyphaga. The phylogenomic analyses recovered Rhinorhipus in a sister position to all other Elateriformia composed of five superfamilies. Therefore, we erect the new superfamily Rhinorhipoidea Lawrence, 1988, stat. Nov. , with the type-family Rhinorhipidae. The origins of the Rhinorhipidae were dated to the Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic at the very early phase of polyphagan diversification. Conclusions Thus, Rhinorhipidae adds another example to several recently recognized ancient relict lineages which are interspersed within contemporaneous hugely species-rich lineages of Coleoptera.

Malthesis is a Cantharidae genus with a history of ambiguous systematic placement, being sometimes classified within Malthininae and currently placed in Chauliognathinae, sometimes as a probable synonym of Chauliognathus. Part of the problem is a complete lack of knowledge about the identity of their type species, M. ater, from Colombia. The current generic placement is based on the identity of the subsequently described Malthesis species which, in turn, have never been compared with M. ater. One specimen belonging to the type series of M. ater, here designated as the lectotype, has been located at the Zoological Museum of M. V. Lomonosov State University (Moscow, Russia) and the identities of the species and genus could finally be assessed. Here, M. ater is redescribed in detail based on the study of the aforementioned lectotype and additional specimens from Colombia. The morphological study of the species confirms that most of the subsequently described species are indeed congeneric with M. ater, and enables a reliable placement of the genus within Chauliognathinae: Chauliognathini. In addition, a fully updated catalog of all the 38 currently valid species and subspecies of Malthesis is given to ease their future taxonomic studies. Malthesis es un género de Cantharidae que posee una historia ambigua con relación a su posición sistemática, siendo algunas veces clasificado en Malthininae y, actualmente, posicionado en Chauliognathinae, e incluso también considerado como un posible sinónimo de Chauliognathus. Parte del problema es una completa ausencia de conocimiento con relación a la identidad de su especie tipo, M. ater, descrita de Colombia. La actual posición genérica está basada en la identidad de las especies posteriormente descritas en Malthesis, las cuales nunca han sido comparadas con M. ater. Un espécimen perteneciente a la serie tipo de M. ater, aquí designado como el lectotipo, ha sido localizado en el Zoological Museum of M. V. Lomonosov State University (Moscú, Rusia) y la identidad de la especie y del género puede ser finalmente evaluada. Aquí, M. ater es redescrita en detalle con base en el estudio del lectotipo antes mencionado y en especímenes adicionales de Colombia. El estudio de la morfología de la especie confirma que la mayoría de las especies descritas posteriormente en el género son, de hecho, congenéricas con M. ater, y permite un posicionamiento confiable del género dentro de Chauliognathinae: Chauliognathini. Adicionalmente, y con el fin de facilitar futuros estudios taxonómicos, se proporciona un catálogo completo de las 38 especies y subespecies válidas actualmente posicionadas en Malthesis.

We report the publication of 953 DNA barcodes of forest leaf litter beetles from central Taiwan, in total representing 334 species of 36 beetle families. This is the first bulk of data from the Taiwanese Leaf Litter beetles project focused on uncovering the under-explored diversity of leaf litter beetles across Taiwan. Based on these data, we provide the first records of the following taxa for Taiwan: family Sphindidae (genus Aspidiphorus Ziegler, 1821); tribes Trichonychini, Ctenistini, and Bythinoplectini (all Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae); genera Gyrelon Hinton, 1942, Thyroderus Sharp, 1885, Cautomus Sharp, 1885 (all Cerylonidae), Dermatohomoeus Hlisnikovský, 1963 (Leiodidae), Paraploderus Herman, 1970 (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae), Thinocharis Kraatz, 1859 (Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Cephennodes Reitter, 1884, Napoconnus Franz, 1957 (both Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae), Bicava Belon, 1884 (Latridiidae), Otibazo Morimoto, 1961, Seleuca Pascoe, 1871 and Acallinus Morimoto, 1962 (all Curculionidae); species Oodes (Lachnocrepis) japonicus (Bates, 1873) (Carabidae: Licininae), Drusilla obliqua (Bernhauer, 1916) (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) and Coccotrypes advena Blandford, 1894 (Curculionidae: Scolytinae). The records of Anapleus Horn, 1873 (Histeridae) and Batraxis Reitter, 1882 (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) have been confirmed. The male of Sivacrypticus taiwanicus Kaszab, 1964 (Archeocrypticidae) is described for the first time. Gyrelon jenpani Hu, Fikáček & Matsumoto, sp. nov. (Cerylonidae) is described, illustrated, and compared with related species. DNA barcodes associated larvae of 42 species with adults, we are concisely illustrating some of these: Oodes japonicus , Perigona cf. nigriceps Dejean, 1831 (both Carabidae), Ptilodactyla sp. (Ptilodactylidae), Maltypus ryukyuanus Wittmer, 1970 (Cantharidae), Drusilla obliqua , Myrmecocephalus brevisulcus (Pace, 2008), Diochus sp., Mimopinophilus sp. (all Staphylinidae), Stelidota multiguttata Reitter, 1877, Lasiodites inaequalis (Grouvelle, 1914) (both Nitidulidae), Lagria scutellaris Pic, 1910, and Anaedus spinicornis Kaszab, 1973 (both Tenebrionidae). We also report the first cases of Rickettsia infections in Scydmaeninae and Pselaphinae. All data (sequences, metadata, and voucher photos) are made public in BOLD database and in a Zenodo Archive.

The entomophthoralean fungus Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller, previously recorded in Europe from Poland and Switzerland, is now reported in North America from New York State, United States of America. On both continents, this obligate insect pathogen is known only from resting spores found within dead, adult native soldier beetles (Cantharidae) of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1830. Resting spores have undulating, light brown episporia. In New York, columnar rhizoids attach cadavers tightly to the undersides of leaves in the understory of hardwood forests in late June and early July.

The Lycocerus pallidulus subgroup, originally placed in the L. maculicollis group, is suggested as an independent species group herein and its diagnosis is redefined. Ten previously known species of Lycocerus are attributed to this group, including L. centrochinensis (Švihla, 2004), L. genaemaculatus (Wittmer, 1951), L. hubeiensis (Švihla, 2004), L. kubani (Švihla, 2004), L. zdeneki (Švihla, 2004), L. bilineatus (Wittmer, 1995), L. jelineki (Švihla, 2004), L. putzi Švihla, 2011, L. pictipennis (Wittmer, 1995), and L. curvatus (Wittmer, 1995). Additionally, six new species of this group are described from China, including L. laterophysus sp. nov. , L. flavipennis sp. nov. , L. putzimimus sp. nov. , L. maoershanensis sp. nov. , L. chongqingensis sp. nov. , and L. bispermathecus sp. nov. These species are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII, and reproductive systems of female. In addition, an identification key and a distribution map of the L. pallidulus group are provided.

The genus Ichthyurus Westwood, 1848 is a large cantharid group consisting of approximately 200 species worldwide, with only 10 species hitherto found in China. Despite its expansive area, the Chinese fauna has historically received little attention from specialists, leading to a lack of knowledge even about some common Ichthyurus species in this region. A new species of Ichthyurus Westwood, 1848 is described under the name of I. longulus sp. nov., which is widely distributed in mainland China, including Shannxi, Gansu, Hubei, Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi. Although there are some variations in the pronotum colouration within the species, this new species could be easily distinguished from all others of Ichthyurus by the large-sized body, uniformly black elytra, mesotibiae each with an apical spur in male, terminal abdominal tergite of male with long and cylindrical lateral projections that are about 3/5 the length of the tergite, terminal abdominal ventrite of male saddle-shaped and deeply cleft in middle of apical 2/3 part and aedeagus with a long setifore extension that is as long as the parameres. The habitus, terminal abdominal ventrite and tergites and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated. In addition, a distribution map of this species and a list of the Ichthyurus species from mainland China are provided.

The resolution of phylogenetic relationship among animals is still one of the most challenging problems in systematic zoology. Insect wing is a highly valued morphological character in the systematics, but few studies have been conducted to quantify wing shape variations for phylogenetic reconstruction. In this study, with Cantharinae as the subject, we conducted the GM analyses from hindwings of 16 representative genera. Further, we conducted the UPGMA based on Procrustes distance and Euclidean similarity measure of Mahalanobis distance, respectively, and NJ analysis of the Mahalanobis distance, as well as MP analysis using merged landmark dataset. In the meantime, we constructed the phylogenetic relationships among these genera based on the mitochondrial genomes, with a total of 41 sequences novel to Cantharinae, by BI and ML analyses. As a result, the CVA analysis demonstrated that the hindwing shapes of the cantharid genera are significantly different from one another. All the topologies produced by the GM data partially correspond with that of mitogenomic data. The close relationships of some genera are frequently recovered, including Cyrebion + Themus , Cantharis + Taiwanocantharis + Taocantharis , Stenothemus + Falsopodabrus + Habronychus . These results prove the importance and potential application of the hindwing shapes in recovering the relationships among the sibling genera.