The taxonomic status of subspecies and species of Diptera Pupipara described from Japan and the Republic of Korea was investigated. Two subspecies of Hippoboscidae and three subspecies of Nycteribiidae described based on Japanese specimens are treated as new synonyms of respective nominotypical subspecies: Ornithomya avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758) (Syn. n.: O. avicularia aobatonis Matsumura, 1905); Ornithomya chloropus (Bergroth, 1901) (Syn. n.: O. chloropus extensa Maa, 1967); Nycteribia allotopa (Speiser, 1901) (Syn. n.: N. allotopa mikado Maa, 1967); Basilia rybini Hurka, 1969 (Syn. n.: B. rybini japonica Theodor, 1973; B. truncata Theodor, 1966 (Syn. n.: B. truncata endoi Mogi, 1977). Two species described from Korean specimens are treated as new synonyms: Nycteribia formosana (Karaman, 1939) (Syn. n. Nycteribia uenoi Maa, 1968); Nycteribia quasiocellata Theodor, 1966 (Syn. n. Nycteribia pleuralis Maa, 1968).

The louse fly,Ornithoica momiyamai, is ectoparasitic on a variety of bird species in Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). However, its species status has been controversial for many years. We investigated its morphological and ecological traits to clarify further its species status. Morphology of gynandromorphs, which has been regarded as useful in distinguishing related Ornithoica species, was reported for the first time. Gynandromorphs in Japan have a tri-lobed infra-anal plate similar to Ornithoica tridens (endemic to Taiwan) but distinct from several related tropical species. Collection records of O. momiyamai compiled from literature were compared with O. tridens, Ornithoica exilis (a tropical species carried to the temperate region by migratory birds), and Ornithomya avicularia (a Palaearctic species overwintering in the temperate region primary as puparia). The records indicate that O. momiyamai is relatively common throughout temperate Japan and the ROK, found on a number of bird species irrespective of their seasonality, and collected annually and locally if collection efforts are done. Records also document population increases during summer months concurrently with Ornithomya avicularia in warm-temperate Japan. These results demonstrate that O. momiyamai is a temperate species that overwinters as puparia at least in warm-temperate Japan.

The box jellyfish Chironex yamaguchii is a highly venomous cubomedusa, also known as “habu-kurage” in Japan. It is a significant threat to marine activities in Okinawa in southern Japan. Annually, envenomation of the species causes nearly 100 to 200 injuries in the Okinawa Prefecture. The present study developed a species-specific real-time PCR assay to analyze environmental DNA (eDNA) for rapid detection of jellyfish in water samples. Primers and probe were designed based on the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I region using tissue samples of nine specimens obtained from the Okinawa Prefecture. The specificity of the real-time PCR assay was confirmed by amplifying the DNA samples of 10 different box jellyfish species. A practical assay for eDNA detection was successful on water samples obtained from the natural habitat of C. yamaguchii. In addition, the degradation rate of eDNA in the tank experiment was 65% of the initial concentration at 1 h, 22% at 12 h, and 3% at 48 h.