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The evolution of flower-visiting behaviour in pollen wasps remains poorly investigated. The females of oligolectic Celonites species show two fundamentally different behavioural patterns for pollen uptake from Heliotropium flowers with a narrow corolla tube. They remove pollen from the concealed anthers either with their forelegs or with their proboscis. Single-frame video analysis revealed that pollen collection with the proboscis consists of a hitherto unknown, unique, and stereotypic behavioural pattern. The first phylogenetic reconstruction of Celonites based on ultra-conserved elements demonstrates that this highly complex behaviour is presumably homologous and evolved only once. It probably derived from accidental consumption of pollen adhering to the proboscis during nectar uptake and is associated with morphological adaptations of the foretarsi and mouthparts. Pollen uptake with the forelegs evolved independently. Morphological adaptations to this type of pollen uptake are the elongation of the forelegs and a tarsal pollen brush formed by hooked setae. These results confirm for pollen wasps a view that has been developed in studies of bee–flower relationships, namely that pollen collection, contrary to nectar collection, is a specific and stereotypic behaviour that often requires morphological and behavioural adaptations, possibly underlying the high rate of specialization observed in pollen-collecting Hymenoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of insect morphology has recently benefited greatly from the emergence of new digital imaging and analysis technologies such as X-ray Microcomputed tomography (μ-CT), digital 3D reconstruction, and animation. Through interactive gaming and virtual reality, the external morphology of insects can be studied by a broad audience of both entomologists and non-specialists. EntomonVR is a serious game designed to investigate the external morphology of insects with adequate quality for the virtual reality platform. In this research, we discuss the advantages of virtual reality, introduce the EntomonVR new educational game, and conclude about future perspectives, validations, and cost-effectiveness. We tested this game on 25 participants with an entomological background for assessment and improved it based on their feedback. This study demonstrates the efficacy of virtual reality technology for an experimental learning environment in teaching the morphology of insects and the crucial need for advancing an efficient and interactive educational program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is an important driver of the spread of apiary pests and honeybee predators. These impact on one of the economically most important pollinators and thus pose serious threats to the functioning of both natural ecosystems and crops. We investigated the impact of the predicted climate change in the periods 2040–2060 and 2060–2080 on the potential distribution of the European beewolf Philanthus triangulum, a specialized honeybee predator. We modelled its potential distribution using the MaxEnt method based on contemporary occurrence data and bioclimatic variables. Our model had an overall good performance (AUC = 0.864) and the threshold of occurrence probability, assessed as the point with the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity, was at 0.533. Annual temperature range (69.5%), mean temperature in the warmest quarter (12.4%), and precipitation in the warmest quarter (7.9%) were the principal bioclimatic variables significantly affecting the potential distribution of the European beewolf. We predicted the potential distribution shifts within two scenarios (optimistic RPC4.5 and pessimistic RCP8.5) and three Global Circulation Models (HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR, and MPI-SM-LR). Both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios showed that climate change will significantly increase the availability of European beewolf potential niches. Losses of potential niches will only affect small areas in southern Europe. Most of the anticipated changes for the period 2060–2080 will already have occurred in 2040–2060. The predicted range expansion of European beewolf suggests that occurrence and abundance of this species should be monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orussidae is a small and rare but phylogenetically important family of parasitoid wasps. The fossil record of the family is also very poor. Baltorussus velteni was described from Baltic amber from an allegedly female specimen. This and another recently discovered specimen are examined with microCT scanning and standard microscopy. We reveal that both the holotype and the new specimen are actually males. Furthermore, the results of the microCT scanning allow us to integrate the fossils in a morphological data set assembled for extant Orussidae. Phylogenetic analyses consistently retrieve Baltorussus as a separate basal lineage within the crown group, whereas two Cretaceous fossils are placed as stem group orussids and a Dominican amber fossil in an extant genus. Based on the positions of the fossils, we estimate that the extant Orussidae radiated in the mid-Cretaceous (approx. 100 Ma ago). This is considerably younger than a previously suggested Early Jurassic date (180 Ma ago), which was primarily based on biogeographic evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External and internal head structures of Osmylus fulvicephalus were examined and described in detail. Exo- and endoskeleton, musculature, elements of the central nervous system and tracheae are compared to conditions found in other groups of Neuropterida and other endopterygote lineages. Thirty-six adult cephalic characters were compiled, combined in a datamatrix with 64 characters of the larval head, and analysed cladistically. Mainly because many data on adults remain missing, most branches in the cladogram are mostly or exclusively supported by larval features. The shortening of the mesal mandibular wall and the resulting anterior shift of the adductor tendon possibly constitute an adult groundplan apomorphy of Neuropterida. Raphidioptera and Megaloptera share distinct prognathism and the presence of a sclerotised gula. However, the orthognathous head and the absence of a gula resulted as autapomorphies of Neuroptera in our analyses. Further potential autapomorphies are the asymmetry of the mandibles as well as the respective presence of dorsolateral furrows on the head capsule, of a shovel-like extension on the ventral mandibular cutting edge, and of a row of stiff hairs on the mandible’s ventral surface. The systematic affinities of Osmylidae remain ambiguous. Osmylus is mainly characterised by plesiomorphic features of the adult head such as a complete endoskeleton, long filiform antennae, largely unmodified orthopteroid mouthparts, and particularly the nearly complete set of muscles. The placement with a clade also comprising Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae is poorly supported. The presence of a dense vestiture of long microtrichia on the distal galeomere resulted as a synapomorphy of the three families. An apparent plesiomorphy preserved in Osmylus but absent in all other groups of Neuroptera is the presence of well developed ocelli. The present study underlines the severe shortage of detailed morphological data on the adults. Intensive study of adult structures is required for a solid reconstruction of the phylogeny of Neuropterida, especially of the hemerobiform lineage of Neuroptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]