Recent studies on the endemic Canarian genus Purpuraria have shown that the taxonomy of its only recognized species (P. erna) is probably erroneous. In this study, an integrative revision of the genus is performed, based on a large number of specimens and geographical sampling. As a result, (1) the diagnostic characters at the genus level are re‐described, (2) Purpuraria magna n. sp. based on morphological, morphometric and genetic data is described and (3) the taxonomic status of a formerly described subspecies is clarified. Intraspecific and interspecific morphometric differences have been found, indicating that the genus is undergoing a process of morphological diversification. Nevertheless, the possibility of interspecific mating between individuals of the two species is suggested, because no significant differences have been found between their respective calling songs. Genetic analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences suggest that P. erna and P. magna are recent species with evidences of secondary contact episodes in the past.

Reticulitermes flavipes, one of the most harmful subterranean termite pests, is reported for the first time from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Cytochrome oxidase II was sequenced from five specimens in order to confirm the identification. To date, this invasive species has been detected in a limited area in the northeast of the island, affecting buildings, crops and native plant species. Another colony with the identical haplotype found in the southwest, 60 km away from the main population, indicates that this invasive insect may be more widespread over the island.

Aim To obtain nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies of Macaronesian Rhopalomesites weevils and test the monophyly and time of origin of two species groups feeding on Euphorbiaceae and other plants. Additionally, to investigate the population structure within species, and its associations with geographical isolation versus trophic selection.Location Macaronesian Islands and the British Isles.Methods Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were undertaken using mitochondrial (cox1 and cytb) and nuclear (ITS-2 and 28S RNA) genomic sequences. Ancestral Rhopalomesites host plant associations and divergence times were inferred from Bayesian analyses and population data.Results Evidence was found for two Rhopalomesites clades. One was associated with Euphorbia host plants, having vicariant species in the Madeira and Canary archipelagos. In this lineage, an ancestral association with Euphorbia mellifera in the two island groups was deduced, which has subsequently undergone shifts to related host plant species in marginal areas. The second clade was found to be an ecological generalist, exploiting decaying wood from the Lauraceae or other forest trees -is also present on such islands along with the Azores and parts of Atlantic Western Europe. Main conclusionsThe results point to a quasi-parallel colonization by the two ecologically distinct lineages in Macaronesia, dating to the early Pliocene, followed by allopatric isolation according to the presence of suitable habitats on particular islands in more recent times.

1. The large flightless grasshopper Acrostira bellamyi Uvarov, endemic to the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands), inhabits two different environments: the xeric euphorb shrubland, as is typical for congeneric Canarian species, and the humid laurel forest, a novel habitat for the genus.2. We investigate genetic, morphological, and ecological variation among individuals of A. bellamyi from the two habitats. DNA sequence data were used to evaluate whether grasshoppers from the two environments represent distinct lineages. Morphological and trophic analyses were performed to assess phenotypic differentiation between the two different habitats.3. Population genetic analyses support the hypothesis that the euphorb shrubland is the ancestral habitat for this species. Female laurel forest specimens are larger than those inhabiting the euphorb shrubland, and some external body parts exhibit significant morphometric differences between the two populations. Diet of shrubland individuals is completely different from that of laurel forest individuals. Although in each habitat they consume the most abundant plants, individuals are able to select food plants, which appear to be explained by their nutrient content.4. Our results suggest that A. bellamyi has colonised laurel forest from shrubland, and that this habitat shift has resulted in genetic, morphological, and ecological changes, perhaps as an adaptation to this new habitat.