We discuss the taxonomy of oak gallwasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) whose lifecycle involves only Palaearctic oaks (Quercus subgen. Quercus) in the section Cerris. Recent phylogenetic reconstructions support a deep split between such Cerris-associated species in the genera Aphelonyx, Dryocosmus, Plagiotrochus, Neuroterus, Pseudoneuroterus and species and genera associated with oaks in the section Quercus sensu stricto. We reappraise the generic limits of the Cerris-associated genera, proposing new limits for Dryocosmus, Pseudoneuroterus and Neuroterus, establishing a new genus Cerroneuroterus, elevating Latuspina to a genus level, reestablishing the genera Chilaspis and Trichagalma and proposed new species name combinations. We provide a new key to oak gallwasp genera of the Palaearctic and keys to all species of genera associated with Cerris section oaks. We describe five new species, Aphelonyx kordestanica, Trichagalma formosana, Dryocosmus jungalii, Pseudoneuroterus mazandarani, and P. nichollsi.

The obligate mutualism of figs and fig-pollinating wasps has been one of the classic models used for testing theories of co-evolution and cospeciation due to the high species-specificity of these relationships. To investigate the species-specificity between figs and fig pollinators and to further understand the speciation process in obligate mutualisms, we examined the genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of four closely related fig-pollinating wasp species (Blastophaga nipponica, Blastophaga taiwanensis, Blastophaga tannoensis and Blastophaga yeni) in Japan and Taiwan using genome-wide sequence data, including mitochondrial DNA sequences. In addition, population structure was analysed for the fig wasps and their host species using microsatellite data. The results suggest that the three Taiwanese fig wasp species are a single panmictic population that pollinates three dioecious fig species, which are sympatrically distributed, have large differences in morphology and ecology and are also genetically differentiated. Our results illustrate the first case of pollinator sharing by host shift in the subgenus Ficus. On the other hand, there are strict genetic codivergences between allopatric populations of the two host-pollinator pairs. The possible processes that produce these pollinator-sharing events are discussed based on the level and pattern of genetic differentiation in these figs and fig wasps.

A new gall-inducing species of the inquiline tribe Synergini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), Synergus itoensis Abe, Ide & Wachi, sp. nov., from Japan is described. The morphological features of the adult clearly indicate that this new species is assigned to the genus Synergus Hartig, 1840, and members of Synergini have all been known as inquilines to date. Field observation showed that adult emergence of this gall wasp from acorns of the evergreen oak, Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) glauca Thunberg, on the ground is well synchronized with the rapid growth period of fresh acorns in late summer. A rearing experiment demonstrated gall induction by S. itoensis in the seed coat of the acorn of Q. (C.) glauca under field conditions. Moreover, the occurrence of arrhenotoky in this gall wasp and lack of a significant effect of gall induction on acorn size were indicated. Judging from the inconsistency of biological and morphological features in S. itoensis, gall-inducing ability might have been regained within Synergini. The advantages and disadvantages of gall induction in acorns are discussed.

Recent developments in, and widespread availability of, platforms, technologies, and computer software and hardware have enhanced the use of genetic markers to address major scientific questions in non-model organisms, even by researchers with limited expertise in genomics. However, there are few studies investigating the genomes of non-model insects using these approaches. This review discusses the application of nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) technologies to the study of genomes of wild organisms. We first introduce currently available NGS-based methods-including restriction site-associated DNA sequencing; multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing; target capture; and amplicon, transcriptome, and whole genome sequencing-as useful tools for studies of non-model insects. We also provide guidelines for first-time users of NGS systems. In addition to the massive amount of information that it provides, a major advantage of NGS data is the scalability to future research projects. Studies using NGS technology can answer questions related to basic entomology by focusing on the unique nature of non-model insects in wild environments in a way that is not possible for model organisms.