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The Rhipicephalus sanguineus group is an assembly of species morphologically and phylogenetically related to Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto. The taxonomy and systematics of this species group have remained obscure for a long time, but extensive research conducted during the past two decades has closed many knowledge gaps. These research advancements culminated in the redescription of R. sanguineus sensu stricto, with subsequent revalidation of former synonyms ( Rhipicephalus linnaei , Rhipicephalus rutilus , and Rhipicephalus secundus ) and even the description of new species ( Rhipicephalus afranicus and Rhipicephalus hibericus ). With a much clearer picture of the taxonomy of these species, we present an updated list of species belonging to the R. sanguineus group, along with a review of their geographic distribution and vector role for various pathogens of animals and humans. We also identify knowledge gaps to be bridged in future studies. Graphical abstract

The monotypic genus Ogdenia Peckham, 1908, is redefined based on the redescription of the holotype of O. mutilla (Peckham & Peckham, 1907), along with the newly discovered male specimens and intraspecific variation from China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Description, illustrations, and photographs are provided.

The four morphologically similar genera Amblyharma Huang & Tong, 1993, Fusta Xiao & Ye, 2015, Nazgulia Hedqvist, 1973 and Platecrizotes Ferrière, 1934 from the Eastern Palaearctic are reviewed. Redescriptions of genera and all available types of Eastern Palaearctic species are provided. An identification key to genera is given. A new species from South Korea, Platecrizotes jedii sp. nov. is described and illustrated.

A taxonomic revision and redescription of the genus Eurymesosa Breuning, 1938 are presented, including a key to species. Three of the five currently accepted species are considered valid: Eurymesosa ventralis (Pascoe, 1865), Eurymesosa allapsa (Pascoe, 1866) and Eurymesosa ziranzhiyi Yamasako & Lin, 2016. Three junior synonyms are proposed for E. ventralis : Eurymesosa albostictica Breuning, 1962, syn. nov. , Eurymesosa affinis Breuning, 1970, syn. nov. , and Eurymesosa multinigromaculata Breuning, 1974, syn. nov. Additionally, E. allapsa (Pascoe, 1866) is resurrected from synonyms of E. ventralis . Females of E. allapsa and E. ziranzhiyi Yamasako & Lin, 2016 are described for the first time.

Two specimens representing the first known adults of Lestidiops indopacificus (Ege, 1953) are reported and described from Taiwan, and the validity and generic assignment of this species are confirmed. The origin of the pelvic fin directly below the dorsal-fin base shows that L. indopacificus belongs to the L. mirabilis species complex. It can be separated from its congeners by the position of the nostrils above the posterior end of the maxilla, the light body color with unevenly distributed melanophores in adults, and a distinct combination of meristic values and other morphological characteristics. New geographic records are reported for the two other current members of this species complex, L. mirabilis (Ege, 1933) and L. extremus (Ege, 1953). The diagnostic features that separate these three very similar species are discussed.

The life cycle, morphology, and bionomy of Photinus extensus Gorham, 1881, an endemic species of Mexico, are described. Redescriptions of adults (male and female) are also presented. Larvae were reared to the adult stage from eggs laid by females collected at the El Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve, south of Mexico City. The activity period of adults of P. extensus begins at the end of July and finishes by the end of August. Females lay between 3 and 198 eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs after a period of 11 to 71 days, undergo 6 larval instars and a pupal stage in an annual cycle. Morphological characters of the sixth larval instar of P. extensus are compared with those of several other genera assigned to the tribe Photinini. Knowledge of the natural history of firefly larvae is relevant since most species do not feed as adults and therefore depend on resources acquired during the larval stage.

Impatiens mexicana is a native balsam restricted to the cloud forests of central and southwest Mexico, which is currently known to exist in four states (Zacatecas, Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca), and is probably threatened by geographic restriction. Morphological and distributional information about this species is still scarce, with only a couple of investigations since its first description in 1910, which means the phylogenetic position of this species has yet to be placed. In order to contribute to knowledge of I. mexicana, morphological and molecular studies were carried out with material collected in the localities of Hidalgo, Veracruz, and Oaxaca, during expeditions from July to October 2021 and in 2022. The specimens selected were measured, photographed, and compared with morphological information from the six American balsams. At the same time, phylogenetic studies were carried out by using two regions of the cpDNA and one of the nrDNA. We report I. mexicana for the first time in Hidalgo state, and identify new registers in the Veracruz and Oaxaca localities, thus increasing the knowledge in its geographic distribution. We also redescribe the Mexican balsam by using new and complementary traits: we note that while the species is morphologically similar to I. capensis, it is distinguished by differences in flower color, the distribution of spot patterns on the upper petal, lower sepal, and lateral petals, and geographic information such as endemic geographic distribution in Mexico’s Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF). We also carried out phylogenetic analyses by using ITS and ITS + atpb-rbcL, which showed the Mexican balsam was independent from its Asian-American congeners. Interestingly, our genetic distance analyses reveal differences of 0.01–0.16% between I. mexicana and the other North American congeners that use ITS, atpb-rbcL and trnL-F, both independently and as concatenated genes: this low divergence most likely occurred because of the recent diversification of the group. However, both future redescriptions and phylogenetic studies in American species are imperative, as this will enable better discrimination.

Thirteen species of chewing lice in the Brueelia-complex are redescribed and illustrated. They are: Brueeliablagovescenskyi Balát, 1955, ex Emberizaschoeniclus (Linnaeus, 1758); B.breueri Balát, 1955, ex Chlorischloris (Linnaeus, 1758); B.conocephala (Blagoveshchensky, 1940) ex Sittaeuropaea (Linnaeus, 1758); B.ferianci Balát, 1955, ex Anthustrivialis (Linnaeus, 1758); B.glizi Balát, 1955, ex Fringillamontifringilla Linnaeus, 1758; B.kluzi Balát, 1955, ex Fringillacoelebs Linnaeus, 1758; B.kratochvili Balát, 1958, ex Motacillaflava Linnaeus, 1758; B.matvejevi Balát, 1981, ex Turdusviscivorus Linnaeus, 1758; B.pelikani Balát, 1958, ex Emberizamelanocephala Scopoli, 1769; B.rosickyi Balát, 1955, ex Sylvianisoria (Bechstein, 1792); B.vaneki Balát, 1981, ex Acrocephalusschoenobaenus (Linnaeus, 1758); Guimaraesiellahaftorni (Balát, 1958) ex Turdusiliacus Linnaeus, 1758; G.lais (Giebel, 1874) ex Lusciniamegarhynchos (Brehm, 1831). Redescriptions are made from type material where available. Holotypes are identified in Balát’s material when possible, and lectotypes are designated for B.blagovescenskyi, B.breueri, B.glizi, B.ferianci, B.kluzi, B.kratochvili, B.pelikani, and B.rosickyi; a neotype of Nirmuslais Giebel, 1874 is designated. Brueeliaweberi Balát, 1982, is placed as a synonym of Brueeliaconocephala (Blagoveshchensky, 1940).

BACKGROUND: The taxonomic status of the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto), which has long been regarded as the most widespread tick worldwide and a vector of many pathogens to dogs and humans, is currently under dispute. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive morphological and genetic study of 278 representative specimens, which belonged to different species (i.e., Rhipicephalus bursa, R. guilhoni, R. microplus, R. muhsamae, R. pusillus, R. sanguineus sensu lato, and R. turanicus) collected from Europe, Asia, Americas, and Oceania. After detailed morphological examination, ticks were molecularly processed for the analysis of partial mitochondrial (16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, and cox1) gene sequences. RESULTS: In addition to R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus, three different operational taxonomic units (namely, R. sp. I, R. sp. II, and R. sp. III) were found on dogs. These operational taxonomical units were morphologically and genetically different from R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus. Ticks identified as R. sanguineus s.l., which corresponds to the so-called “tropical species” (=northern lineage), were found in all continents and genetically it represents a sister group of R. guilhoni. R. turanicus was found on a wide range of hosts in Italy and also on dogs in Greece. CONCLUSIONS: The tropical species and the temperate species (=southern lineage) are paraphyletic groups. The occurrence of R. turanicus in the Mediterranean region is confirmed. A consensual re-description of R. sanguineus s.s. and R. turanicus will be necessary to solve the taxonomic problems within the so-called R. sanguineus group.

Pempherulus affinis (Faust) is a major pest of cotton in India. The original description of the weevil is dated long back and no re-description has been attempted. The present study provides a detailed morphological description of the weevil, including identifying characters that can separate the male and female sexes. Twenty-two morphological characters were measured and the data were analyzed using principal component analysis and linear discriminate analysis. The results showed that the length of antennal funicle 1 & 2 and prosternal spines showed significant differences between males and females. These characters can be used as a key to differentiate males and females. A DNA barcode based on partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of mtDNA was obtained and reported for molecular identification. The biology of the weevil has also studied under laboratory conditions. The weevil lay eggs inside the bark of cotton and all the developmental stages are completed inside the cotton stem. The duration of the egg, larval, pupal and adult stages of the weevil ranged between 6 and 10, 35–60, 10–12 and 30–40 days, respectively.