Zootaxa

**A review of Idiommata Ausserer, 1871 (Mygalomorphae: Barychelidae), with the description of a related new genus and new species of giant Australian brush-footed spiders**

2026-05-26T13:11:09+12:00

The barychelid genus Idiommata Ausserer, 1871 is reviewed: the type species Idiommata blackwalli O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1870 is diagnosed and variability of characters in males discussed. Idiommata is rediagnosed to include only I. blackwalli and I. scintillans (Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918), which lack intercheliceral peg setae. The female paralectotype of Idiommata scintillans is placed in Synothele Simon, 1908 and described as a new species, Synothele xintillans sp. nov., from South Australia. A new genus, Zidiommata gen. nov., is described for I. fusca L. Koch, 1874 (for which males are described), I. iridescens (Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918) and two new species, Z. simonmaraisi sp. nov. and Z. steveirwini sp. nov., all of which have intercheliceral pegs and are found in eastern Australia.

Genus Archithosia Birket-Smith, 1965: identification of two species groups in Sub-Saharan Africa by means of morphological analysis, with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)

2026-05-26T13:12:36+12:00

The genus Archithosia Birket-Smith, 1965 is herein revised, and two species groups are identified, along with the description of 4 species as new to science (Archithosia ghanensis Durante & Potenza sp. nov.; Archithosia gabonensis Durante & Potenza sp. nov.; Archithosia tchibozo Durante & Pellegrino sp. nov.; Archithosia ugandensis Durante & Pellegrino sp. nov.), while a fifth, close to Archithosia costimacula (Mabille, 1878), remains unnamed due to the scarcity of material. Archithosia decipiens (Holland, 1893) is reinstated as a bona species, and the lectotype is designated. The genus Asbolopsyche Krüger, 2015 is argued to not belong to the Archithosia group of genera.

**Discovery of two new species of Diplura from India: Lepidocampa devprayagensis sp. nov. (Campodeidae) and Parajapyx sendrai sp. nov. (Parajapygidae)**

2026-05-26T13:14:00+12:00

The recent discovery of two new species of Indian Lepidocampa continues the systematic survey of Diplura across various habitats of India. Two surveys were undertaken in two different states of India, viz., West Bengal and Uttarakhand (Garhwal Himalaya; Western Himalaya). Two different families of Diplura were encountered with two new species, Lepidocampa devprayagensis sp. nov. and Parajapyx sendrai sp. nov. The discovery of a new Parajapyx species represents only the second known member of the genus in India, after 113 years. The study also generated molecular barcodes for L. devprayagensis sp. nov. and compared its genetic distances and phylogenetic placement with those of other available molecular barcodes of the members of that genus.

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—a new Hooktail species from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae)

2026-05-26T13:15:29+12:00

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna.

**Synopsis of Braunilla Wasbauer et Kimsey, 2019 (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae): description of a new species and updated keys**

2026-05-26T13:16:50+12:00

Braunilla Wasbauer et Kimsey is a small Neotropical genus comprised of 12 species distributed from Argentina to Mexico. The genus has received few taxonomic studies since its first description in 1927, other than nomenclatural preposition: Braunilla (=Balboana) was proposed by Wasbauer & Kimsey to replace the homonym Balboana. Herein, we catalog all the species classified as Braunilla, describe a new species, Braunilla dasilvae Simões et Waichert, sp. nov. (Brazil: Bahia), provide diagnoses, and an identification key to the species of the genus. We discuss the status of Braunilla chacoensis and Braunilla fraterna, which were missing in the most recent studies regarding the taxon. New synonymy is proposed for Braunilla auripennis (Fabricius, 1804) (=Pompilus chacoensis Shulz, 1906, syn. nov.); and Braunilla nigrina (Banks, 1946) (=Balboana nayaritama Evans, 1966, syn. nov.). Braunilla is now known for 11 species. This study represents an update to the taxonomy of an understudied genus, providing basis for future studies within the family, and an advance in the study of the Neotropical fauna.

Descriptions of two new species of the Megaspilidae (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea) from China

2026-05-26T13:18:00+12:00

Two new species of Megaspilinae (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) are described and illustrated from China: Conostigmus concavulus Zhao & Wang, sp. nov., and Dendrocerus haizhuensis Zhao & Wang, sp. nov.. Additionally, a key to the Chinese Megaspilinae species is also provided.

**A new species of Strotarchus Simon, 1888 from Mexico and description of the male of the type species S. nebulosus Simon, 1888 (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae)**

2026-05-26T13:19:18+12:00

A new sac spider of the genus Strotarchus Simon, 1888, S. adrianae spec. nov., is described based on specimens of both sexes collected from Jalisco, Mexico. In addition, the previously unknown male of Strotarchus nebulosus Simon, 1888 is described for the first time.

**A golden shadow in the mountains: A new Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Turkey**

2026-05-26T13:20:31+12:00

A new species of the genus Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is described from central Turkey. Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. is based on material collected in the Sultan Daðlarý Mountains (Konya Province). The new species is characterised by its distinct wing coloration in females. Adults are diurnal, as in other members of the genus, and were collected by daytime netting. DNA barcode data (COI) are provided and compared with available sequences in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD Systems), supporting the distinctiveness of the new taxon. The discovery of this species increases the number of Stygioides species to 10 and those from Turkey to three, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diversity and distribution of the genus in the Palaearctic realm.

**A new species of Oligoneura Bigot from Korea, with an identification key to the species of the Oligoneura murina species-group (Diptera, Acroceridae)**

2026-05-26T13:21:43+12:00

A new species of Oligoneura Bigot, 1878, Oligoneura koreana sp. nov., is described from South Korea. The species belongs to the murina species group and can be distinguished from other members of this genus by a combination of characters, including the coloration of the hind tibiae and wing membrane, the shape of the parameral sheath, and a sharply protruding scutum. The species is described in detail, with photographs and illustrations, and observations on mating behavior are included. A key to the species of the murina species group is also provided.

Taxonomic notes on the ray spider family Theridiosomatidae Simon, 1881 (Arachnida: Araneae) from India

2026-05-26T13:22:52+12:00

The genus Simonia Yu & Lin, 2023 (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae) is recorded for the first time from India, with the description of a new species, Simonia lawbah sp. nov. based on female specimens collected from Meghalaya. We also transfer Wendilgarda assamensis Fage, 1924 and W. housaiyuae Lin & Li, 2022 to the genus Chthonopes Wunderlich, 2011. Furthermore, we synonymize Chthonopes bifidum Yu & Lin, 2022 with C. housaiyuae (Lin & Li, 2022) comb. nov. Additionally, the current distribution map of all theridiosomatid species in India is provided.