Forensic entomology uses insects, particularly Diptera, as evidence in various forensic applications. Some species help estimate post-mortem intervals in criminal investigations, others indicate cases of neglect by signaling poor hygiene conditions, and some serve as bioindicators of environmental quality. Characterizing local fly species distributions is essential for forensic applications, such as post-mortem interval estimation. In Belo Horizonte, a city in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, only one prior study has been conducted, solely focusing on Calliphoridae species while overlooking other families, such as Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae, which are highly relevant for forensic applications. To address this gap, we collected flies of potential forensic interest at the Ecological Station of "Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais" (EEco UFMG), using fresh beef as bait, during the warm and rainy season. A total of 4,612 flies were collected, with Calliphoridae (N = 3024; 65.5%), Fanniidae (N = 902; 19.5%), Sarcophagidae (N = 353; 8.0%), and Muscidae (N = 240; 5.0%), constituting 98.0% of the collected specimens. The remaining 2% (N = 93) of the specimens belong to 11 families. Thirty-nine species were identified, with Muscidae exhibiting the highest richness (15 species), followed by Sarcophagidae (10), Calliphoridae (9), and Fanniidae (4). Notably, six new geographic records for Minas Gerais state and three for Belo Horizonte city were documented within the Muscidae family. Checklists of fly species of potential forensic interest from unexplored locations, such as the EEco UFMG, contribute to the development of valuable databases for future applications in forensic entomology.

Brazil stands out as the fourth-largest global producer of cotton, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions for crop development. However, these same conditions promote diverse arthropod fauna, encompassing pests and beneficial organisms that contribute ecological services to agroecosystems. This study investigated the functional diversity of arthropods in cotton cultivation under alternative management practices. For two growing seasons, arthropods were sampled and classified into functional groups: pollinators, predators, parasitoids, and detritivores. In addition, parasitized insects were recorded separately. The first season revealed low functional group richness, with only pollinators and predators observed. Diversity indices, such as Shannon and Simpson, were low across all phenological stages, with greater richness during reproductive phases. In contrast, the second season demonstrated increased richness and balance, with all five functional groups represented and higher diversity during reproductive stages. Indices reflected improved functional group distribution, indicating reduced dominance of specific groups and stabilization of the agroecosystem. The findings emphasize the significant influence of phenological stages on arthropod diversity, with reproductive phases offering critical resources for functional groups. Sustainable practices facilitated recovery and stabilization of the agroecosystem, improving richness and abundance of beneficial arthropods. These results highlight the potential of integrated, sustainable management practices in promoting ecosystem in cotton fields.

The present communication deals with the recording of Satyrex ferox Zamani & von Wirth, 2025 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from the Afrotropical part of Oman (Dhofar region). This species is recorded from Southern Oman for the second time. A brief description of the morphology of S. ferox is provided, along with notes on its predator, the tarantula hawk Hemipepsis heros (Guérin-Méneville, 1849) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae).

Social wasps are known for their opportunistic foraging behaviors, foraging on various resources such as live insects, plant fibers, and even carrion. While necrophagy is documented for some genera, it has not been previously confirmed for the genus Parachartergus. This study provides the first direct evidence of Parachartergus pseudapicalis exhibiting necrophagy, captured through Citizen science in Piedade, São Paulo, Brazil. A wasp was observed collecting tissue from a decomposing caterpillar, demonstrating opportunistic feeding behavior. The mandible structures of Parachartergus suggest adaptations for scavenging, aligning with those of other necrophagous genera. This record enhances our understanding of the genus's dietary flexibility, highlighting the role of Citizen science in contributing valuable data to future studies.

Cryptolestes obesus Thomas, 2002 (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) was described based on a single female specimen collected in Rondônia state, Brazil. As previously hypothesized, the robust body shape and the presence of complete secondary sublateral lines on the pronotum are diagnostic for C. obesus and fundamental traits for male association. Here we associate and describe the conspecific male, with a new record of this species for Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The habitus, antennal scape, and genitalia of the male are illustrated.

Abandoned nests of social wasps are used by various arthropods, however, there are no records of cockroaches. Therefore, the objective of this study is to report the occurrence of cockroaches in abandoned social wasp nests. The first record occurred in a Cerrado area, Brazil, where a nymph (Ectobiidae) of a cockroach (Cahita Hebard, 1922) was found in an abandoned social wasp nest. The second record involved three cockroach nymphs (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), found alongside an ant Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an abandoned nest located in a transition area between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Although the exact reason for their presence cannot be defined, it is possible that the cockroaches were foraging for food or shelter from the rain. This is the first record of cockroaches occupying abandoned social wasp nests and the first record of another insect species occupying an abandoned social wasp nest alongside ants. Given the presence of Blattaria in more than one nest and in different locations and biomes, it can be suggested that this occupation is not merely incidental. However, further studies are necessary to determine the frequency of cockroach use of abandoned nests and to better understand the importance of these nests as microhabitats for these insects.

Forest fragments associated with agricultural areas are beneficial for maintaining species that act as natural biological controls. Lacewings are an example of organisms that contribute to this control, however, there is little information on the sampling methodology for this taxon, as well as its occurrence in olive cultivation, Olea europaea L. (Lamiales: Oleaceae). Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the richness of lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) collected with attractant traps in an olive orchard, associated with fragments of mixed Atlantic Forest. The traps were baited with passion fruit juice at a rate of 200 mL per bottle. The traps were installed at Sítio Carpe Diem, in the Serra da Mantiqueira, municipality of Cambuí, southern Minas Gerais (-22.625000 and -46.148333) from September 2023 to January 2024. As a result, a total of 109 lacewing specimens from one subfamily, two tribes, six genera and 14 species were collected. The occurrence of this taxon in the area may reflect the biome in which the property is located, the high temperature and the fragment of native forest. The data obtained in this study suggests that the use of passion fruit bait is advantageous for sampling lacewings, as well as highlighting the importance of agroecological practices for the permanence of natural enemies in cultivated areas.

Social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) are highly adaptable insects that exploit a wide range of locally and seasonally available resources. This study reports the first observation of social wasps foraging on noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) in Northeast Brazil, specifically in the Caatinga biome. Noni, a pantropical fruit known for its environmental tolerance and nutritional content, including high water and protein levels. Seven species of social wasps were recorded foraging on noni in the rural area of Patos, Paraíba state, Brazil. These species included Polybia ignobilis, Polybia occidentalis, Polybia paulista, Polybia sericea, Brachygastra lechiguana, Protonectarina sylveirae, and Polistes canadensis. Observations revealed that the wasps foraged primarily on the carpel disc of the fruit, engaging in scraping behavior to extract juices and soft tissues. No activity was observed on ripe fruits, likely due to their strong odor. The findings highlight the ecological importance of noni fruits as a resource for social wasps, particularly in arid regions as Caatinga biome where such fruits provide essential nutrients.

This study was conducted in an urban fragment of Cerrado (savannah formation) in the municipality of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. McPhail traps, with sugarcane extract, were used along one year with the goals to sampling ulidiids flies. As results were presented new occurrences for four genera and seven species of uliidids for MS. Besides sampled four species belongs from three genera previous known from MS. The fauna of uliidids from MS increasing in 140% and 100% the number of the species and genera, respectively. Actually, the fauna of ulidiids from MS is represented by 12 species into eight genera.

Boreofairchildia Wagner & Stuckenberg, 2016 (Diptera: Psychodidae) currently includes fourteen acknowledged species. This genus is mainly found in the Neotropical region, although one species has been described from the Nearctic area. Two species are known Brazil, both from the state of Espirito Santo. In this paper, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of Espirito Santo is described, increasing the total number of Brazilian species to three and the overall species count in the genus to fifteen.