The phylogeny of Colocasiomyia (Drosophilidae) is analysed using data for 70 morphological characters, many of which are re‐evaluated from or added to those used previously, for an expanded taxon sample of 24 Colocasiomyia ingroup species. A special focus is put on three species, of which two have remained unresolved for their relationships to other Colocasiomyia species, and the other is a newly discovered species. The analysis results in a single, most parsimonious cladogram, in which a clade comprising the three focal species is recognized along with other clades recovered for the known species groups of Colocasiomyia. Based on this, a new species group—the gigantea group—is established, including Colocasiomyia gigantea (Okada), C. rhaphidophorae Gao & Toda, n.sp. and C. scindapsae Fartyal & Toda, n.sp. These species of the gigantea group breed on inflorescences/infructescences of the subfamily Monsteroideae (Araceae) exceptionally among Colocasiomyia species, most of which use plants of the subfamily Aroideae as their hosts. Colocasiomyia gigantea uses Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engler, C. rhaphidophorae uses Rhaphidophora hookeri Schott and C. scindapsae uses Scindapsus coriaceus Engler as their hosts. The host plants of the gigantea group are epiphytes and differ in the structure of spadix and the fruiting process from those of the Aroideae. To understand how the species of the gigantea group adapt to properties of their host plants, their reproductive ecology—most intensively that of C. gigantea—is investigated. The lifecycle of C. gigantea is characterized by its relatively slow embryonic development (taking approximately 6 days), the very long duration of the full‐grown first instar within the egg capsule (approximately three months) until dehiscence of host infructescence, and its relatively fast larval and pupal development (taking approximately 11 or 12 days). Some morphological adaptations and the reproductive strategy in terms of ‘egg size vs. number’ trade‐off are discussed in relation to their reproductive habits and peculiar lifecycles.

All Indian species of the genus Lordiphosa Basden are reviewed, with descriptions of four new species, L. curva Fartyal & Toda, sp. n. of the denticeps species group and L. ayarpathaensis Kandpal & Singh, sp. n., L. makaibarensis Pradhan & Chatterjee, sp. n. and L. srinagarensis Sati & Fartyal, sp. n. of the nigricolor species group. Two of the new species, L. ayarpathaensis and L. makaibarensis, were found visiting flowers of Hedychium spicatum and Datura suaveolens, respectively. This is the first record of flower visitation in Lordiphosa flies. In addition, L. parantillaria (Kumar & Gupta, 1990), syn. n. is synonymized with L. antillaria (Okada, 1984). Supplementary and revised descriptions for L. antillaria and L. neokurokawai (Singh & Gupta, 1981) and a key to all Indian species of Lordiphosa are provided.

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1. Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances.2. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter 'members') of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES).3. A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial † Deceased.

Literature concerning phenotypic variation among wild-caught drosophilids inhabiting varied ecological habitats is relatively rare. The present study explores pattern of body size traits along altitudinal gradients, and compensation to colder environments and reduced air pressure via adjustment of wing morphology at higher altitudes. Wild adult flies were collected in two extensive surveys during September-October 2014 and April-May 2015. All traits were measured for both the sexes to obtain data on sexual dimorphism. It was found that though these populations differed significantly in their size, as already known, they deviated from the expected reaction norms of size increase along altitudinal gradients as observed in several previous studies. This deviation from normal clinal trend can be attributed to variation in growth rates and development times at different altitudes which has important implications in overall reproductive success. Also, a significant increase in wing area of flies at higher altitude was recorded with dramatically lower wing loadings than flies that developed in comparatively warmer habitats, giving them an aerodynamic advantage at cold temperatures. Thorax width was also analyzed, possibly for the first time in wild-caught flies of Indian populations, revealing sexual dimorphism. The ratio of thorax length to width was greater than one for all species indicating that the thorax is more elongated in females, which may also influence the flight capacity of the sexes.

Central Himalayan region of India encompasses varied ecological habitats ranging from near tropics to the mid-elevation forests dominated by cool-temperate taxa. In past, we have reported several new records and novel species from Uttarakhand state of India. Here, we assessed genetic variations in three mitochondrial genes, namely, 16S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COI and COII) in 26 drosophilid species collected along altitudinal transect from 550 to 2700 m above mean sea level. In the present study, overall 543 sequences were generated, 82 for 16S rRNA, 238 for COI, 223 for COII with 21, 47 and 45 mitochondrial haplotypes for 16S rRNA, COI and COII genes, respectively. Almost all species were represented by 2-3 unique mitochondrial haplotypes, depicting a significant impact of environmental heterogeneity along altitudinal gradient on genetic diversity. Also for the first time, molecular data of some rare species like Drosophila mukteshwarensis, Liodrosophila nitida, Lordiphosa parantillaria, Lordiphosa ayarpathaensis, Scaptomyza himalayana, Scaptomyza tistai, Zaprionus grandis and Stegana minuta are provided to public domains through this study.

A review of all Indian Leucophenga species is given, including descriptions of five new species: L. champawatensis, L. chaubattiaensis, L. kumaonensis, L. nainae and L. neointerrupta. New collection records of some species from India and adjacent countries; namely, Myanmar and China, and distribution range of each species within India are also given. Keys to species groups and species occurring in India are provided.

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