Abstract:

Aim: The order Hymenoptera encompasses rich biodiversity and provides essential ecosystem services. This study aims to comprehensively review the progress in describing new taxa of Chinese Hymenoptera in 2024, based on systematic database searches and literature compilation of newly described extant Hymenoptera taxa published globally in 2024. 

Methods: We obtained and analyzed a total of 427 journal publications on the new taxa of extant Hymenoptera in 2024 by searching the available zoological databases and conducting comprehensive literature compilation. 

Results: Across 427 journal articles, 1,420 new taxa were recognized, including 2 new subfamilies, 36 new genera, 19 new subgenera, 1,362 new species, and 1 new subspecies, spanning 18 superfamilies, 58 families, and 419 genera. The superfamilies Ichneumonoidea, Chrysidoidea, and Vespoidea display the highest number of new species, accounting for approximately 28.5% (388/1,362), 18.1% (247/1,362), and 16.1% (219/1,362) of the total new species, respectively. Regionally, Asia remains the most important source of newly described Hymenoptera species (45.7%, 622/1,362), with East Asia contributing the highest proportion (20.5%, 279/1,362). China published a total of 196 new taxa, including one new genus and 195 new species. With 195 new species, China ranked first globally, accounting for 14.3% of all newly described species worldwide. These new species belong to 11 superfamilies, 26 families, and 81 genera. Chinese new species were primarily concentrated in Vespoidea (30.8%, 60/195), Ichneumonoidea (19.5%, 38/195), and Chalcidoidea (15.9%, 31/195). Additionally, Chinese scholars reported 9 newly recorded genera and 89 newly recorded species. Papers were published in 100 journals, with English articles comprising 96.7% (413/427). A total of 509 scholars worldwide participated in species naming, including 108 Chinese scholars (21.2%). 

Conclusion: In summary, global Hymenoptera taxonomic research continued to demonstrate an active trend in 2024, with China ranking at the forefront worldwide in both new taxonomic unit publications and new species naming participation, highlighting China’s important academic strength in Hymenoptera taxonomic research and insect diversity conservation, and providing a solid scientific foundation for global Hymenoptera diversity understanding and conservation.

Key words: Apocrita, Symphyta, new taxa, distribution of new taxa, China