Vibrations through substrates are an important source of information for diverse organisms, from nematodes to elephants. The fundamental challenge for small animals using vibrational communication is to move their limited mass fast enough to provide sufficient kinetic energy for effective information transfer through the substrate whilst optimising energy efficiency over repeated cycles. Here, we describe a vibratory organ found across a commercially important group of plant-feeding insects, the planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). This elastic recoil snapping organ generates substrate-borne broadband vibrations using fast, cyclical abdominal motion that transfers kinetic energy to the substrate through the legs. Elastic potential energy is stored and released twice using two different latched energy-storage mechanisms, each utilising a different form of elastic recoil to increase the speed of motion. Comparison to the acoustic tymbal organ of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) reveals functional convergence in their use of elastic mechanisms to increase the efficacy of mechanical communication.

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Mangabea troglodytes sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) is described based on four specimens collected in a cave of the Namoroka Karstic System, Madagascar, and deposited in the Collection of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris. The dorsal habitus as well as diagnostic characters of male and female genitalia are extensively illustrated and imaged. A key to species of the genus Mangabea Villiers, 1970 is provided and the degree of cave specialization of the new species is discussed.

Physoderes manni sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Physoderinae) is described from Viti Levu, Fiji and represents the first record of microptery in the subfamily. The relationship of Ph.manni sp. nov. with its congeners, as well as the evolutionary and ecological significance of the micropterous wing condition are discussed.

The small reduviid subfamily Physoderinae has the greatest species diversity in the Oriental region and Madagascar. Only the two monotypic genera Cryptophysoderes Wygodzinsky and Maldonado and Leptophysoderes Weirauch are currently known from the Neotropical region. We here describe and document a new, sexually dimorphic species of Physoderinae, Leptophysoderes sarapiqui sp. nov. from Costa Rica. The generic diagnosis of Leptophysoderes is modified to accommodate the new species. Females and immatures of Leptophysoderes are documented for the first time.

The Canary Archipelago is home to two species of obligately cavernicolous assassin bugs of the genus Collartida Villiers, 1949 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Collartidini). These species are highly adapted for cave life, being blind and wingless. In the present study, we describe a new species of the genus, C. phantasma sp. nov. from the Federica mine in Gran Canaria. C. phantasma sp. nov. differs from the other two Collartida species found in the Canary Archipelago in that the male is fully winged, the female is wingless, and both sexes have well-developed eyes. We provide information regarding the new species’ habitat, its taxonomic affinities, and its ability to fly.

A mechanism involving interaction of the metathoracic wing and third abdominal segment of derbid planthoppers was first discovered over a century ago, and interpreted as a stridulatory organ for sound production. Although referred to occasionally in later taxonomic works, the detailed morphology, systematic distribution, and behavioural significance of this structure have remained unknown, and its proposed use in sound production has never been corroborated. Here we examine the distribution and morphology of the supposed stridulatory organ of Derbidae and the recently-described vibratory mechanism of planthoppers-the snapping organ, across 168 species covering the entire taxonomic spectrum of the family. We find that many derbids possess snapping organs morphologically similar to those of other planthoppers, and find no evidence for the presence of tymbal organs, which were previously thought to generate vibrational signals in derbids. We find the supposed stridulatory mechanism to be widespread in Derbidae, and conclude that it provides several systematically and taxonomically important characters. Nevertheless, its morphology appears unsuitable for the production of sound, and we instead speculate that the mechanism plays a role in spreading chemical secretions or wax. Finally, we observe wax production by tergal glands in derbid larvae, and illustrate their external morphology in adults.