Further records of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (Myanmar)

A new biting midge Archiculicoides andersoni sp. nov. from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber is described and illustrated. An unknown male of Leptoconops myanmaricus Szadziewski, 2004 is described and an undetermined female of the genus Archiaustroconops and Austroconops in the collection of National Museums Scotland is reported. A key for the determination of 10 named species in 6 genera of biting midges reported from Burmese amber is also provided.     

A new genus and species of soldier beetle from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera,Cantharidae, Malthininae)

A new Upper Cretaceous genus and species of soldier beetles, Archaeomalthodes rosetta gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from an individual preserved in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ca. 99 Ma) amber from northern Myanmar. It is undoubtedly placed in extant subfamily Malthininae based on its small-sized body, somewhat abbreviated elytra and fusiform terminal maxillary palpomere, representing the oldest documented occurrence of Malthininae. It suggests that this subfamily is an ancient group, which originated at least in the earliest Late Cretaceous. Our discovery sheds light on the palaeodiversity of Cantharidae in the Late Mesozoic. Together with other previously reported fossil cantharids, it is likely that Malthininae has been fairly diverse during the early evolution of Cantharidae. On the other hand, a morphological similarity between Archaeomalthodes and Recent malthinines and the occurrence of flowering plants in the Burmese amber implies a potential flower-visiting behaviour of this fossil species.     

A new genus of Trichomyiinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Upper Cretaceous amber of New Jersey

Xenotrichomyia newjerseyiensis a new genus and species belonging to Trichomyiinae within Psychodidae is characterized, described, illustrated and its taxonomic position is discussed. It shares some similarities with Trichomyiinae of group B, but retains some archaic features, such as normal and non-excentric flagellomeres, and possesses an autapomorphy in wing venation that distinguish it from all remaining Trichomyiinae. This discovery represents the first Trichomyiinae (Psychodidae) from the Upper Cretaceous New Jersey amber, and adds more evidence on the very high palaeodiversity of the psychodids since at least the Lower Cretaceous. An updated check list of fossil Trichomyiinae is given.     

A new genus of Sycoracinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Upper Cretaceous amber of New Jersey

We describe herein a new genus and species of Sycoracinae (Xenosycorax engeli). This new taxon is characterized, described, illustrated and its taxonomic position is discussed. This discovery is very interesting for the understanding of the evolution of this group.     

Cretaceous moths (Lepidoptera: Micropterigidae) with preserved scales from Myanmar amber

Two new species of Micropterigidae, Sabatinca cretacea sp. nov. and Sabatinca limula sp. nov. are described from the Upper Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber (99 Ma). Based on exquisitely preserved specimens with clear morphological characters and detailed structure of scales, the diagnosis of Sabatinca perveta is emended. Our new findings support that scales have developed various types and shapes by the Cretaceous. The extinct Sabatinca species represent a separate group that may be a transitional group from Australian lineage to extant Sabatinca.     

Two new species of Archipseudophasmatidae (Insecta: Phasmatodea) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

Two new stick insect nymphs, Pseudoperla scapiforma sp. nov. and Pseudoperla leptoclada sp. nov. in Archipseudophasmatidae of Phasmatodea, are described from the Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Compared to Pseudoperla gracilipes Pictet & Berendt, 1854, the two new species have the following differential characters: flagellomeres significantly elongated, metanotum rectangular and median segment longer than metanotum. Furthermore, the mesonotum of Pseudoperla leptoclada sp. nov. is rectangular and considerably longer than pronotum vs. mesonotum is quadrate and slightly shorter than pronotum in P. gracilipes. In addition, a slight curvature in the profemora indicates the Cretaceous evolutionary origin of this important character of Euphasmatodea. These two new taxa not only broaden the diversity of Archipseudophasmatidae, but also dated this family back to the Upper Cretaceous.     

A remarkable new genus of Mantispidae (Insecta,Neuroptera) from Cretaceous amber of Myanmar and its implications on raptorial foreleg evolution in Mantispidae

Micromantispa cristata gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar. This is the smallest mantispid. Its raptorial forelegs are relatively slender, bearing dense spines and setae on femora and tibia. The first tarsal segment has two long spines on the dorsal apical, which is newly observed in the family. The morphological diversity of the prothorax and raptorial forelegs in Mantispidae through the geological history are discussed.     

New species of Limoniidae (Diptera) from Myanmar amber,Upper Cretaceous

A new species of Dicranoptycha Osten Sacken, 1860, Dicranoptycha plicativa sp. nov., and a unassigned species are illustrated and described from Myanmar (Burmese) amber (lowermost Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous). A complete list of fossil species of the genus Dicranoptycha is summarized. In addition, an updated key to the known fossil species of the Dicranoptycha is provided.     

New beaded lacewings (Neuroptera: Berothidae) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

Two new genera with two new species in Berothidae, Maculaberotha nervosa gen. et sp. nov. and Magniberotha recurrens gen. et sp. nov., are described from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Based on the new specimens of the same species, we propose some venational characters as intraspecific variations, e.g., the markings on the wings and crossveins in the radial sector. We also study and compare the female genital sclerites from three genera of Haploberotha, Dasyberotha, and Jersiberotha to highlight the importance of using these characters preserved in amber for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Furthermore, an updated key to the berothid genera of Myanmar amber is provided.     

A new genus and species of Praeaulacidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

A new fossil praeaulacid wasp, Habraulacus zhaoi gen. et sp. nov., is described and figured from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber. The new genus is established based on the following characters: mesosoma stout, metasoma elongated ellipse with the first metasomal segment very thin and tubular (like a petiole), forewing with pterostigma long and narrow, and both veins Rs+M and 1m-cu very long, forming a long cell 1mcu. Species of Praeaulacidae demonstrate a distinct evolutionary trend, which consists of miniaturization, venational reduction and enlargement of pterostigma, and reduction of number of the antennal segments from the Jurassic to Cretaceous. However, except for the miniaturization, this hardly concerns Habraulacus.     

A new genus of alderflies (Megaloptera: Sialidae) in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber

A new genus and species of Mesozoic alderfly is described as Haplosialodes liui gen. et sp. nov., and from an adult male preserved in Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is closely related to the genera Haplosialis Navás (Recent fauna of Madagascar), Indosialis Lestage (Recent fauna of Southeast Asia), and Eosialis Nel et al. (Eocene of France), suggesting a possible Early Cretaceous age for the clade that comprises these groups.     

An interesting new species of Sisyridae (Neuroptera) from the Upper Cretaceous Taimyr amber

Prosisyrina sphinga sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) is described from Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Taimyr amber of northern Siberia (Yantardakh locality). The new species is preliminary assigned to this Cretaceous genus, mainly based on character states of the maxillary palpus and the hind wing vein M and crossvein 1r-m, and the presumable absence of tibial false spurs. However, the structure of the costal space and the RP branching in the hind wing indicate that it may belong to a new, closely related genus. The discovery of this second species from the locality might suggest that sisyrids were usual members of the Santonian riparian biocenoses of northern Siberia.     

First record of the subfamily Archinemestriinae in the family Nemestrinidae (Diptera: Brachycera) from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber

Mesonemestrius caii gen. et sp. nov. is the first record of Archinemestriinae (Nemestrinidae) to be described from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. Mesonemestrius caii can be attributed to the subfamily Archinemestriinae by the following characters: M₁ ending posterior to the wing tip and supernumerary crossveins absent. Mesonemestrius is characterized by M₁ bifurcating after the conjunction of M₁₊₂₊₃ and a long straight R₁. The discovery not only adds to the diversity of tangle-veined flies in Burmese amber, but also represents the youngest record of the ancient subfamily Archinemestriinae.     

Spinotoma ruicheni: A new Late Cretaceous genus and species of wedge-shaped beetle from Burmese amber (Coleoptera,Ripiphoridae, Pelecotominae)

A new genus and species of ripiphorid beetle is described based on a female specimen preserved in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ca. 99 Ma) amber from northern Myanmar, under the name of Spinotoma ruicheni gen. et sp. nov. It belongs to the extant Pelecotominae and represents the second documented occurrence of this subfamily in the Late Cretaceous. This new taxon is morphologically distinguishable in Pelecotominae by the combination of following characters: eyes oval, without incision; antennomeres V–X serrate, with XI fusiform; maxillary palpi unmodified; protarsi shorter than protibiae; tibiae sparsely provided with spines; tibial spurs formula 2-0-2. Together with other previously reported fossil ripiphorids, it highlights the species diversification of wedge-shaped beetles during their early evolution. On the other hand, a morphological similarity between Spinotoma and modern pelecotomines and the occurrence of xylophagous beetles in the Burmese amber suggest a similar host preference in wood-boring beetles for this species, shedding lights on an ancient host-parasitoid relationship in the late Mesozoic. This paper also provides a brief discussion on the taxonomy and evolution of Mesozoic wedge-shaped beetles. The wedged-shaped body form and fully-developed elytra in Recent Pelecotominae and Ptilophorinae are considered to be derived from their early ancestors rather than evolved with the onset of flowering plants during the Cretaceous as commonly thought.     

A new earwig (Dermaptera: Pygidicranidae) from the Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

A new genus and species, Gracilipygia canaliculata gen. et sp. nov., in the family Pygidicranidae of Dermaptera is described from the Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber. The new species is assigned to the subfamily Pyragrinae mainly based on the following characters: broadly separated cercal forceps without segmentation and the posterior abdominal tergum with mediolongitudinal furrow and lateral ridges. The G. canaliculata gen. et sp. nov. is the earliest record hitherto for the subfamily Pyragrinae, and probably represents a stem taxa of Pyragrinae.     

A new genus and species of snipe fly (Diptera: Rhagionidae) in Lebanese Cretaceous amber

The rhagionid Lebanoleptis huangi gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. It is characterized, illustrated, and compared with the recent and fossil genera having the same particular absence of wing vein M3. Other Mesozoic flies with similar venation and currently attributed to the Rhagionidae are briefly discussed and should be revised.     

New Cretaceous caddisflies from Burmese amber (Insecta,Trichoptera)

Three new caddisflies species are described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber: Wormaldia cretacea sp. nov., W. resina sp. nov. (Philopotamidae) and Neureclipsis burmanica sp. nov. (Polycentropodidae). Palerasnitsynus ohlhoffi (Psychomyiidae) is re-described based on new fossils. Wormaldia are common in Burmese amber, and its diversity shows that this genus had very ancient origin and diversified at least during the mid-Cretaceous. N. burmanica sp. nov. is the oldest record of Neureclipsis, revealing this genus originated at least in the mid-Cretaceous. So far, six extinct species representing the small Order Trichoptera have been found in Burmese amber.     

New Cretaceous Elcanidae from China and Myanmar (Insecta,Orthoptera)

A new species of Elcanidae (Orthoptera: Elcanoidea), Panorpidium yixianensis sp. nov., is described based on two new specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China. It differs from other species in forewing characters and spines on the hind tibiae. In addition, a new specimen Burmelcana sp., is described and figured based on an amber inclusion from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese (Myanmar) amber. P. yixianensis sp. nov. represents the first definite record of Elcanidae in the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota, and Panorpidium is the only genus of Ensifera to be found in the Early Cretaceous faunas of England, Russia and China.     

The first Oriental protorhyssaline wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A new genus and species in Upper Cretaceous amber from Myanmar

The exclusively Cretaceous braconid wasp subfamily Protorhyssalinae is reported from the Upper Cretaceous deposits of northern Myanmar. Archaeorhyssalus subsolanus Engel, gen. et sp. nov., is represented by a well-preserved female in Burmese amber and is similar to other protorhyssalines, but differs in numerous details of forewing venation and flagellomere number. This species is the first definitive Oriental occurrence for protorhyssalines, expanding their palaeogeographic distribution from the Lower Cretaceous of Spain, and the Upper Cretaceous of France and New Jersey, USA. A key to the known genera of protorhyssalines is provided.