Abstract. Ant-like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae) include more than 4,850 described species in about 90 genera maintained as a separate cosmopolitan family since 1815. Recent authors have hypothesised that Scydmaenidae might be rooted deep inside rove-beetles (Staphylinidae). To test this hypothesis we analysed 206 parsimoniously informative larval and adult morphological characters scored for 38 taxa. Strict consensus topologies from the shortest trees in all 12 analyses consistently placed Scydmaenidae as sister to (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) in a monophyletic Staphylinine Group (with or without Oxyporinae). The single fully resolved and most consistently supported topology maintains a monophyletic Staphylinine Group consisting of Oxyporinae + (Megalopsidiinae + (("Scydmaenidae" + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae)) + (Leptotyphlinae + (Pseudopsinae + (Paederinae + Staphylininae))))); Solierius lacks larval data and is ambiguously placed within the Group. Eight analyses of variably aligned 18S rDNA data for 93 members of Staphylinoidea under parsimony, neighbour-joining and Bayesian approaches were markedly inconsistent, although partly congruent with the Scydmaenidae + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) hypothesis. Our results strongly suggest that ant-like stone beetles do not form an independent family, but are morphologically modified members of Staphylinidae and, consequently, should be treated as a 32nd recent subfamily within the megadiverse Staphylinidae sensu latissimo. Formal taxonomic acts are: Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815, status novus (= Scydmaenidae Leach, 1815);

The tribe Leptodirini of the beetle family Leiodidae is one of the most diverse radiations of cave animals, with a distribution centred north of the Mediterranean basin from the Iberian Peninsula to Iran. Six genera outside this core area, most notably Platycholeus Horn, 1880 in the western United States and others in East Asia, have been assumed to be related to Leptodirini. We studied recently collected specimens of three of these extraterritorial genera, namely Platycholeus, Fusi Perkovsky, 1989 and Sciaphyes Jeannel, 1910, and establish their phylogenetic relationships by analysing a combination of ca. 5 Kb of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences with Bayesian Probability and Maximum Likelihood methods. Our results corroborate the previously proposed hypothesis that Platycholeus is the sister group of the remaining Leptodirini, with an estimated age of vicariant separation compatible with the breaking of the Thulean bridge between the Nearctic and the Western Palaearctic in the Early Eocene. We refute close relationship of either Fusi or Sciaphyes to Leptodirini, with the former genus appearing more closely related to Cholevini, and the latter to Anemadini and warranting a separate tribe, Sciaphyini, in agreement with recent treatments. This phylogenetic position of Sciaphyes is in agreement with a parsimony analysis of 28 morphological characters of a representative sample of Cholevinae subgroups. We describe one of the studied Sciaphyes species as S. shestakovi sp. n. and indicate its remarkable morphological differences from its congeners. We hypothesise that the remaining three extraterritorial monotypic genera of "Leptodirini", namely Proleptodirina Perkovsky, 1998, Sinobathys cia Perreau, 1999 and Coreobathyscia Szymczakowski, 1975 are unlikely to be closely related to the tribe, which probably has its easternmost geographical limits at Zagros and Alborz (= Elburz) mountains in Iran.

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External and internal features of minute reared ex ovo larvae of Ptinella tenella Erichson with the head widths ranging from 108 to 138 mm are described. In total 139 setae (trichoid sensilla), 18 pores (non-trichoid sensilla), and 60 muscles were identified. The complexity of the chaetotaxy, the musculature of the head, the tentorium, and the digestive tract are not affected by the extremely small size of the larvae. Specific features, which may have resulted from miniaturisation are the elongate shape of the brain reaching the mesothorax posteriorly, the reduced condition of the thoracic sclerites and endosternites, the simplified musculature of the thorax and abdomen, and the loss of the abdominal spiracles. The monophyly of Ptiliidae is supported by the absence of head sutures, the presence of a setiferous protuberance close to the mandibular base, and the absence of a lacinia. Absence of abdominal spiracles and complete absence of eyes suggest the monophyly of a ptiliid subgroup which does not comprise Nossidium. Presence of a fimbriate galea is shared by larvae of Agyrtidae, Leiodidae, Ptiliidae, and Hydraenidae. The presence of a complex apical appendage on the distal maxillary palpomere and of hooks on abdominal segment X are possible synapomorphies of Ptiliidae and Hydraenidae. A description of the rearing procedure is provided and comments on feeding habits are made.

Abstract. First instar larvae of Polystoechotidae sp., and first and older instar larvae of Ithone fusca Newman and Oliarces clara Banks are described; those of the latter species for the first time. The family Ithonidae is unique in Neuroptera in having grub-like C-shaped older instar larvae. Potential morphological synapomorphies of mature larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae are the mandibles with exceptionally broad base and markedly thickened apical part; antennal curvature is fixed and rather characteristic in shape; ocular area reduced or absent; cardo and stipes are markedly enlarged with stipes much larger than the cardo; presence of gula (Polystoechotes) or some traces of gular sclerotisation (Ithone, Oliarces). Larvae of Ithone have numerous larval autapomorphies such as C-shaped first instar larva with reduced abdominal segments IX and X; fused tibia and tarsus on all legs and dorsally directed maxillae. Larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae have some similarities with those of the family Dilaridae, such as no or one pair of stemmata; body not flattened dorso-laterally; mesothoracic spiracle located on fold between prothorax and mesothorax; short and stout mandibles widened at base and tapered apically; robust and elongated fore legs; tarsi on all legs markedly shortened; more than three larval instars. Older instar larvae of Ithonidae are markedly similar to those of the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea in having a C-shaped body, at least in older instars; body round in cross-section; sclerites on thorax and abdomen reduced and body surface membranous; each thoracic and abdominal segment subdivided dorsally into two or three fleshy lobes; ventral surface of abdominal apex bears a field of short and stout setae. Chaetotaxy pattern in first instar Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae larvae suggests that it is possible to homologise the sensilla in different genera and provide a system of sensilla designation for Neuroptera larvae. This study is illustrated with 36 morphological drawings.

Larvae of 60 genera representing the following families and subfamilies of Scarabaeoidea were studied and analysed phylogenetically: Lucanidae (Aesalinae, Nicaginae, Syndesinae, Lampriminae, Lucaninae), Passalidae (Passalinae, Aulacocyclinae), Trogidae, Pleocomidae, Geotrupidae (Taurocerastinae, Lethrinae, Geotrupinae), Bolboceratidae, Ceratocanthidae, Hybosoridae, Glaphyridae, Scarabaeidae (Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae, Melolonthinae, Dynastinae, Cetoniinae). Seventy-eight larval morphological characters were employed in the analysis. Our data confirm that Dascillidae are not closely related to Scarabaeoidea. The monophyly of the superfamily is supported by 20 apomorphic character states, 18 of them unique. Monophyly of the following scarabaeoid clades is supported (with the number of larval synapomorphies followed by the bootstrap value in parentheses): Scarabaeoidea without Passalidae (6/67), Passalidae (9/100), Pleocomidae (11/93), Trogidae (8/93), Glaphyridae (10/96), Lucanidae (9/95), Ceratocanthidae + Hybosoridae (5/74), Scarabaeinae (9/98). The family Ceratocanthidae was found to be paraphyletic with respect to Hybosoridae. Monophyly of the family Scarabaeidae is not supported. The resolution of the basal parts of the strict consensus tree is higher when using Dascillidae + Eulichadidae v. Agyrtidae + Helophoridae as an outgroup, but the differences in topology become insignificant after bootstrapping. It is suggested that larval morphology alone is not an adequate tool to address basal relationships of Scarabaeoidea and a total evidence analysis should be performed.

Abstract.  Sixty‐nine characters of larval structure of twenty‐eight genera of the supertribe Trechitae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed phylogenetically. The monophyly of Trechitae is strongly supported with five unique synapomorphies. The monophyly of Zolini + Bembidiini + Pogonini is supported with two synapomorphies. We propose that the tribe Trechini is a sister group to them and its monophyly is supported with two unique synapomorphies. The inferred branching pattern of Trechini genera is (Perileptus + Thalassophilus) + (Amblystogenium + (Trechimorphus + (Trechus + Epaphius + Aepopsis + Trechisibus))); Perileptus is a member of Trechodina rather than Trechina. The monophyly of Zolini is not supported. The monophyly of Pogonini is supported with two unique synapomorphies; its sister group relationships remain obscure; the branching pattern of pogonine genera is (((Pogonus + Pogonistes) + Cardiaderus) + Thalassotrechus). No evidence for monophyly of the tribe Bembidiini (s. lato; including subtribes Bembidiina, Tachyina, Xystosomina, and Anillina) was found. The relationships of Phrypeus are obscure; no evidence could be found linking it with Bembidiina. Without Phrypeus, Bembidiina might be a monophylum with a single synapomorphy. Sinechostictus branches basal of (Bembidion + Asaphidion) and therefore should be treated as a separate genus. Tachyina and Xystosomina form a monophylum based on two unique synapomorphies; a close relationship with a monophyletic Anillina is suggested. Reduction of the number of claws from two to one in Trechitae has taken place twice: within Trechina (Trechus, Epaphius, Aepopsis and Trechisibus) and in (Zolini + Bembidiini + Pogonini). The previously unknown larvae of the isolated genus Phrypeus are described and illustrated. A key to all twenty‐eight analysed Trechitae genera based on characters of larvae and a list of larval autapomorphies for each genus are provided.

All more than 3000 species of Agrilus beetles are phytophagous and some cause economically significant damage to trees and shrubs. Facilitated by international trade, Agrilus species regularly invade new countries and continents. This necessitates a rapid identification of Agrilus species, as the first step for subsequent protective measures. This study provides the first DNA reference library for ~100 Agrilus species from the Northern Hemisphere based on three mitochondrial markers: cox1-5' (DNA barcode fragment), cox1-3', and rrnL. All 329 Agrilus records available in the Barcode of Life Database format, including specimen images and geo data, are released through a public dataset 'Agrilus1 329' available at: dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-AGRILUS1. All Agrilus species were identified using adult morphology and by using molecular phylogenetic trees, as well as distance- and tree-based algorithms. Most DNA-based species limits agree well with the morphology-based identification. Our results include cases of high intraspecific variability and multiple species para- and polyphyly. DNA barcoding is a powerful species identification tool in Agrilus, although it frequently fails to recover morphologically-delimited Agrilus species-group. Even though the current three-gene database covers only ~3% of the known Agrilus diversity, it contains representatives of all principal lineages from the Northern Hemisphere and represents the most extensive dataset built for DNA-delimited species identification within this genus so far. Molecular data analyses can rapidly and cost-effectively identify an unknown sample, including immature stages and/or non-native taxa, or species not yet formally named.