Trophic interactions, the fundamental links in food webs, are an important modulator of biodiversity structuring and ecosystem functioning. However, interactions between scorpions and insects remain poorly understood despite their high biomass and diversity in natural ecosystems and more than 410 million years of evolutionary history. Here we summarize three trophic interaction types from 95 scorpion-insect species pairs in which both scorpions and insects were identified at least to the genus level. Predator-prey relationships were the most documented trophic interactions between scorpions and insects, involving 45 scorpion species from 9 families and 79 insect species from 11 orders. Prey-predator interactions were recorded between 11 species pairs of insects from four orders and scorpions from five families. Parasitiodism was documented between four dipterans (3 families) and five scorpions (3 families). The mega-diversity of insects and the high biomass of scorpion species in natural ecosystems imply that their complex trophic interactions await to be characterized.

A new tintinnid ciliate, Salpingella subarctica Zhang, Li & Li, sp. nov. was discovered in waters from the subarctic north Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean during six research cruises conducted between July and September over the past decade. Distinct lorica characteristics justify the establishment of this new species, distinguishing it from previously known species: an average lorica opening diameter (12.6 μm), an average posterior lorica opening diameter (3.6 μm), a smaller lorica length (41.8–69.5 μm), a prominent posterior opening, and 8–10 longitudinal fins extending parallelly from the opening to the posterior end. It occurred in water with temperature of -1.6–20.5°C and salinity of 25.3–34.4, and preferred to salinity of 32, temperature of 11°C in open ocean in Pacific Ocean, and 0°C in Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea.

The Mediterranean invasive species Calanipeda aquaedulcis Kritschagin, 1873 was discovered for the first time in Svyatoe Lake in the Nizhny Novgorod Region (Russia). This species had not previously been found north of the Kama River estuary near Kazan city (Middle Volga). For comparison, the population from the Tsimlyansk Reservoir (Don River, southern Russia) was also analyzed. Both populations were studied using morphology and genetics (12SrRNA, CO1, nITS and 18SrRNA genes), which showed no differences between them. A morphological description of a male and female invader from Svyatoe Lake with illustrations is provided. Comparison of the invader population by the CO1 gene with material from the Bilbao estuary, Spain (GenBank) showed a difference between these populations of 8.2% nucleotide substitutions, which excludes the Spanish population as a donor for introduction into Russia. Possible sources of invasion and prospects for the dispersal of the invader are discussed.

Hyleoglomeris xini sp. nov. is described from Hubei, China, as new to science. It is different from other species of the genus by its ommatidia, more elongated Tömösváry’s organ and different posterior telopod. A checklist of the genus Hyleoglomeris in China of total 37 species is provided, including their locations and microhabitats.

A new species of free-living marine nematode, collected from subtidal sediments in the Yellow Sea, China, is described herein as M. sinica sp. nov. The species is characterized by a slender body of 2450–3670 µm long; three small teeth nearly equal in size; short spicules almost straight, cephalated proximally and conical distally; a small gubernaculum without apophysis; the absence of precloacal supplements and setae; and the presence of three small precloacal pores. Morphological characteristics of males of all Meyeria species are provided.

Chinese bees of the subgenus Anthophora (Anthomegilla) Marikovskaya, 1976 are reviewed. Eleven species are confirmed to occur in China, two of which are described and illustrated as new species: A. (Anthomegilla) nailungensis Niu, sp. nov. and A. (A.) gyiruensis Niu, sp. nov. The female of A. (A.) beijingensis (Wu, 1986) and the male of A. (A.) flavonigra (Wu, 1988) are described for the first time. Diagnoses, updated synonymies, materials examined, global distributional data and floral associations of each species are provided along with illustrations and a key to known species in China.

The study describes a new species, Syndiamesa fanduangularis Fu, sp. nov., representing the first record of the genus Syndiamesa from the Oriental Region. A detailed description of the new species is provided, including morphological data and illustrations. Molecular data (COI gene) were obtained and deposited in NCBI GenBank, providing a DNA barcode for species identification. The study also provides an updated key to adult males of the genus Syndiamesa globally.

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