Diptera species taxonomy and behavior

Culex (Culex) acharistus, Root, 1927 (Diptera: Culicidae), a new record for Bolivia

This study confirms the presence of Culex acharistus in Bolivia using morphological and molecular methods, expanding its known distribution in South America.

Validation of a molecular workflow for Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World screwworm) identification in field samples

The paper develops and validates molecular assays for rapid and accurate identification of Cochliomyia hominivorax in field samples, complementing morphological methods.

Grass fly evolution unlocked: phylogenomics and classificationof worldwide Chloropidae (Diptera)

This study provides the first comprehensive phylogeny of Chloropidae using genomic data, redefines classification, and reveals evolutionary insights.

Early hominin arrival in Southeast Asia triggered the evolution of major human malaria vectors

The paper uses phylogenomic analysis to show that anthropophily in Southeast Asian Anopheles mosquitoes evolved in response to early hominin arrival in Sundaland around 1.8 million years ago.

The genome of Istocheta aldrichi (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

This paper presents a reference genome for Istocheta aldrichi, a parasitoid of the Japanese beetle, and identifies gene family expansions related to metal ion transport.

Megabarcoding dark taxa - Assessing the utility of mass DNA barcoding for phorid fly species discovery

The paper assesses DNA barcoding's utility for identifying phorid flies, finding it effective but limited by reference sequence accuracy and highlighting Megaselia as a dark taxon.

Revised evolutionary relationships within Brachycera and the early origin of bicoid in flies

The paper uses genomic data from 186 dipteran species to show bicoid exists in non-cyclorrhaphan flies and originated in the common ancestor of Bombyliidae, Asiloidea, and Eremoneura.

Hematophagy generates a convergent genomic signature in mosquitoes and sandflies

This study identifies convergent genomic expansions in gene families related to blood-feeding in mosquitoes and sandflies using phylogenomics.

The evolution of wasp mimicry and biogeography in the genus Temnostoma (Diptera: Syrphidae)

This study reconstructs the evolutionary history of the hover fly genus Temnostoma, revealing that perfect wasp mimicry evolved twice independently and that mimicry traits show high evolutionary plasticity.

RESOLVING BIOLOGY'S DARK MATTER: SPECIES RICHNESS, SPATIOTEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION, AND COMMUNITY COMPOSITION OF A DARK TAXON

The paper uses DNA barcoding to study scuttle flies in Sweden, revealing high diversity and showing that climate factors strongly influence their distribution.

The genome sequence of the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi), an invasive nest parasite of Darwin's finches in Galapagos

This study generates a high-quality genome assembly for the avian vampire fly Philornis downsi and identifies gene families associated with insecticide resistance and immune responses.

Are members of the Anopheles fluviatilis complex conspecific?

The paper re-evaluates the classification of Anopheles fluviatilis complex members, finding fixed ITS2-rDNA differences between species S and T and refuting claims of heterozygosity due to primer mispriming.

DROP: Molecular voucher database for identification of Drosophila parasitoids

The paper introduces DROP, a curated molecular reference database for Drosophila parasitoids, to improve molecular identification and taxonomic accuracy.

Functional genomics of the parasitic habits of blowflies and botflies

The paper identifies genes associated with parasitic strategies in blowflies and botflies using gene expression and evolutionary analysis across five species.