Although CO₂-baited BG-Sentinel traps are widely used for mosquito surveillance, their non-target bycatch can yield valuable faunistic information. We present the first assessment of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) collected inci-dentally using CO₂ traps across Slovakia in 2025. Of 290 weekly trap samples obtained at 16 localities, 45 (16%) contained dolichopodid specimens, representing a total of 400 specimens belonging to 13 species in five genera. Two species (Sybistroma impar (Rondani, 1843) and Systenus bipartitus (Loew, 1850)) are reported here for the first time in Slovakia. The most frequently recorded species were Systenus leucurus Loew, 1859, Medetera truncorum Meigen, 1824, and Sciapus platypterus (Fabricius, 1805), although their occurrence varied considerably among sites. The assemblage was dominated by species associated with arboreal and humid microhabitats, suggesting that CO₂-baited traps selectively capture only a subset of the local dolichopodid fauna. In addition, only male specimens were identified to species level, and therefore the reported species composition should be interpreted with caution. Our findings demonstrate that mosquito surveillance networks can provide valuable complementary faunistic infor-mation on non-target Diptera, including rarely recorded species. However, CO₂-baited traps do not yield a represen-tative sample of the dolichopodid fauna and should be considered as supplementary to targeted sampling methods. Integrating the analysis of bycatch into vector surveillance programs represents a low-effort approach to enhancing faunistic knowledge on Diptera in human-modified environments. Key words: biodiversity monitoring, bycatch, CO₂ trap, Diptera, Dolichopodidae, new records, Slovakia
Microchilo Błeszyński is for the first time reported from the Afrotropical region. Three new species are de-scribed and illustrated: Microchilo bidentatus sp. nov. from Tanzania, Microchilo monoceros sp. nov and Microchi-lo turgidus sp. nov., both from Democratic Republic of the Congo. Key Words: Crambinae, Diptychophorini, Ethiopian region, new species.
The article lists the 34 known species of Corticarinae Curtis, 1829 (Coleoptera, Latridiidae) from the Andean hostpost. Data on the distribution of the species are given. Corticarina cavicollis (Mannerheim, 1844) and Melanophthalma rispini Rucker and Johnson, 2007 are cited for the first time for the southern hemisphere and the neotropical kingdom, respectively.
Subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes were recently found in a garden in the historical centre of Venice (Veneto, northern Italy). Mitochondrial DNA analysis (COII gene) revealed that they belong to the species R. aegeus, a recently described taxon native to northeastern Mediterranean regions, including northeastern Greece, Crete and Cyprus. This is the first record of R. aegeus in Italy. Given the distance from the natural distribution range, the presence of R. aegeus in Venice is most probably the result of human-mediated introduction. Termites in the genus Reticulitermes can cause important damage to buildings and wooden structures, and some introduction events can result in heavy infestations. Although termite activity confined to a garden may not be a cause for concern, surrounding areas should be surveyed for signs of infestation in order to prevent damage to buildings and protect cultural heritage sites.
The Collembola community plays an important role in soil ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to provide the first data on the soil Collembola communities occurring in three different olive orchards located in Sicily (Italy), one traditional and two super-high density systems. While the same fertilization management and phytosanitary measures were applied, soil management in the two super-high density systems consisted of green manure, and conventional tillage was adopted in the traditionally managed olive orchard. Nine soil samples per orchard were collected in the first week of October 2019, and the arthropod fauna was extracted using a modified Berlese-Tullgren funnel. Collembola were counted and identified at morpho-species level, and at least one specimen for each morpho-species was slide mounted for species identification. Soil Collembola communities were evaluated using the abundances of identified species and eco-morphological life forms. Besides, soil biological quality was investigated using the QBS-ar index. Overall, 22 species belonging to nine families were identified. The mean number of springtails per soil sample was lowest in the two super-high density orchards, while the total number of species does not show a noticeable variation among the three olive orchards. An average similarity at the species level of 59.95 % was found between the two super high intensive orchards, that showed a lower average similarity with the traditional olive orchard (44.39 % and 50.23 %). Regarding the eco-morphological life form groups of Collembola, the Atmobionts were present only in the traditional olive orchard, Hemiedaphic and Epedaphic life forms were most abundant in the traditional olive orchard, while Euedaphobionts were the most represented in all olive orchards. Moreover, the exclusive Collembola species in the two super high intensive orchards were Euedaphic and Epedaphic life forms, while the exclusive species recorded in the traditional olive orchard belonged to all life forms, with a prevalence of Euedaphic springtail species. The sharing of the only Epedaphic and Euedaphic life forms between the two SHD olive orchards confirms that the intensive management system negatively affects the Collembola of the Atmobiotic life forms. Hemiedaphic life forms were affected to a lesser extent, since they are influenced mainly by microhabitat diversity in the upper soil layer. Furthermore, the negative effects of the more intensive management system influenced the QBS-ar index values, indicating that intensive management influences mainly soil surface taxa, like the predators Chilopoda and Pseudoscorpiones. However, our preliminary study suggests that conservative and sustainable soil management can maintain or improve the arthropods and Collembola community's soil functionality, although further studies are needed to assess the role of the other agroecological factors.
Soil nematodes from the order Dorylaimida are pivotal indicators of soil health and ecosystem functioning, yet their distribution and diversity remain poorly understood in tropical ecosystems. This study comprehensively examines the diversity, distribution, and ecological dynamics of Dorylaimida nematodes across five wildlife sanctuaries in West Bengal, India. We identified 62 species, 36 genera, and 12 families, revealing substantial variability in species richness, community structure, and ecological parameters across the sanctuaries. Bibhutibhusan WLS exhibited the highest species richness (20 species), diversity (Shannon-Weiner index: H' = 2.73), and evenness (j' = 0.91), suggesting a relatively stable and undisturbed environment. In contrast, Ramnabagan WLS, with the lowest species richness (13 species) and evenness (j' = 0.77), indicates potential ecological disturbances, possibly driven by anthropogenic pressures. Dominant species such as Xiphinema insigne and Dorylaimoides elaboratus exhibited wide distribution across multiple sanctuaries, highlighting their ecological resilience and adaptability. The Bray-Curtis and Jaccard similarity indices revealed significant divergence between sanctuaries, with the highest dissimilarity between Ballavpur and Ramnabagan WLS, while Kulik (Raiganj) WLS and Ramnabagan WLS shared the most similar nematode communities. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed that nematode distributions across sanctuaries were largely stochastic, although certain sanctuaries (e.g., Kulik (Raiganj) and Bethuadahari WLS) exhibited consistent ecological patterns. Our findings emphasize the critical role of habitat heterogeneity and low anthropogenic disturbance in supporting diverse and balanced nematode communities, indicating the need for targeted conservation efforts to safeguard soil biodiversity in these ecologically significant landscapes.
The author estates the result of the study of the type material of the genera Thyreocephalus and Eulissus from Mexico (1 species) and South America (30 species) in the Sharp and Bernhauer collections and some specimens of my private collection and Matejicek collection, for a total of 31 species of whom 14 new to science. New combinations and new synonymies are suggested. Thyreocephalus jekelii Guerin-Menetries is new reord for Ecuador; Eulissus chalybaeus Mannerheim is new record for Costa Rica; Eulissus colombicus (Bernhauer) is new record for French Guyana.
Cillo D., Dellacasa M., Fabbriciani F., Bazzato E.- Confirmed presence of Acrossus rufipes (Linnaeus, 1758) in Sardinia, Italy (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Aphodiinae Aphodiini). The occurence of Acrossus rufipes (Linnaeus, 1758) in Sardinia is confirmed based on two specimens collected in the Sette Fratelli mountain area (South-Eastern Sardinia). The presence of this species on the island was previously considered doubtful, although it was reported in historical literature and corroborated only by a few finds from the early 20th century.
The San Juan de Aragon Forest (SJAF) is the second-largest park in Mexico City; its importance includes environmental, aesthetic, economic, and recreational aspects. Among the challenges being faced is the bark beetle Hylesinus aztecus (Wood), a pest specializing in attacking old ash trees Fraxinus uhdei (Wenz.) Lingelsh. To contribute to the understanding and management of this beetle, between June 2022 and July of 2023; we carried out a phytosanitary evaluation of the ash trees utilizing six parameters describing the crowns, as well as dasymetric data (July 2023). Our evaluation also included direct surveys and baited traps of 70% ethanol, distributed in strategic zones of the park, over eight months (October 2022 to June 2023). In addition, other information was gathered to obtain an estimate of the economic impact of H. aztecus in the SJAF. In comparison with data from a previous study from 2013, the ash trees grew 10.62 cm in diameter but lost 12% of their foliage. The insect infestation was at an advanced stage, as the emergence holes were less than 1 meter high. In addition, this was also the second documented attack on young ash trees by H. aztecus in North America, a behavior that has not been described in classical literature. The management of H. aztecus in the SJAF cost was estimated near to $300,000 USD in 2022 and includes chemical treatment of 50% of the ash trees, tree trimming, cutting down of trees when appropriate, reforestation, and management of the soil in affected sites. Considering this, in conjunction with the inefficient approach of trapping, it is suggested that other options for improving the collection of H. aztecus be explored.
The South American palm borer moth Paysandisia archon Burmeister, 1880, is one of the most damaging alien insects, affecting a wide range of palm species in Europe. Since its introduction in 2002, the species has rapidly expanded across most Italian regions. Here we document its first occurrence in Calabria (southern Italy), detected on the Mediterranean dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis L., the only native palm in Italy and an endemic species of the Mediterranean Basin. This record fills the last major distribution gap of P. archon in mainland Italy and underscores the urgent need for systematic monitoring and containment strategies to protect the already vulnerable populations of C. humilis. Key Words: alien invasive species, Chamaerops humilis, Italy, palm borer, range expansion
The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a worldwide pest insect, whose global diffusion is favored by the behavior of the highly mobile adults; in fact, in periods with low temperatures, they look for “anthropic” shelters colonizing buildings, but also materials for export, as well as containers and vehicles for the transport of goods, such as ships. The marked polyphagia and the high fecundity and mobility, combined with the difficulties of containing the populations below the economic thresholds of damage with insecticides with low environmental impact, make the BMSB extremely difficult and expensive to control. In recent years, in order to develop new and more effective means of early detection, attention has been placed on the study of trained dogs to detect the presence of this insect. In the present work, a specific training method for detection dogs, developed using H. halys as target model insect, is proposed and the results obtained from verification tests about the effectiveness of identifying this target by a detection dog are shown. The investigations were carried out in different environments, both in the open field and in closed, anthropic environments, such as storage warehouses and agricultural sheds. The data obtained allowed us to confirm the validity of the training method tested, highlighting the possibilities of using dogs to counter the risks of accidental introduction and spread of H. halys with quick checks at entry points and also as a complement to other field containment methods. Key Words: detection dogs; brown marmorated stink bug; early detection; accordance; concordance; COR ratio
Cases of interspecific matings due to failed species recognition, resulting in a waste of energy and time, are uncommon. In particular, they are seldom documented in Coleoptera, where sexual isolation barriers operate on mul- tiple levels: these barriers include semiochemical signals for long-distance attraction, followed by tactile, acoustic, and visual cues working at closer ranges. Among all Coleoptera species, Lucanus cervus is one of the most charismatic as it is the largest saproxylic beetle in Europe, and it is also protected under the European legislation. Its reproductive strategies are well-studied and fascinating scientists ever since due to the well-developed sexual dimorphism of the species as well as the uttered allometry among male specimens, exhibiting exaggeratedly large mandibles. Poorly recorded in literature are though cases of interspecific mating for L. cervus, not to mention interfamiliar ones. A case of interfamiliar mating between a male of Lucanus cervus (Lucanidae) and a female of Oryctes nasicornis (Scarabaeidae) is reported for the first time. Key Words: Saproxylic beetles, Citizen Science, copula, Natura 2000, Habitats Directive, reproductive behaviour.
The distribution of Osmoderma barnabita Motschulsky in Romania is summarised based on publications, museum collections and citizen science projects, with new records for the north-eastern part of the country. We found that the distribution gap in east Romania, as depicted on several published maps, is an artefact. To examine the temporal distribution of the records, four maps are provided, one for each of the historical periods that were delimited based on the socio-political context. Out of the about 100 mapped localities, we identified only five where the species was recorded before the mid-20th century and where it is still present. A unique and comparatively divergent mitochondrial haplotype was identified east of the Carpathians, highlighting the importance of these populations for the conservation of the genetic diversity of the species. Key Words: Forests, hermit beetle, Natura 2000 species, citizen science, DNA barcoding
This article introduces the Italian collection of cryopreserved plant-parasitic nematode housed at CREA, a national repository that brings together decades of work in taxonomy and applied nematology. As the only collec- tion of its kind in Italy, it represents an important resource for the study of plant-parasitic nematodes, combining historical records with more recent methodological developments. Originating from slide-mounted specimens and preserved material, the collection now also includes advanced cryopreservation methods for maintaining viable nematodes and their genetic resources, illustrating the technical and organizational challenges involved in long- term conservation. Its management requires specific expertise and appropriate infrastructure to ensure continuity. In addition to supporting taxonomy, diagnostics, and research on nematode diversity, the collection contributes to education, capacity building, and international collaboration in plant protection. By providing authenticated material, it can facilitate accurate identification and the development of sustainable management approaches. In this way, the collection can safeguard biodiversity but also serves agricultural research and plant health efforts at both the national and international level. Key Words: nematode database, Bursaphelenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., cryopreservation
After Platynota stultana Walsingham was reported in Apulia in 2022, its adults were observed in other areas of Italy from north to south (Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, and Sicily). At the same time, the species has spread not only in Spain, but also in other European countries (Portugal, France, Malta, Switzerland, Germany, and Greece). P. stultana has polyphagous behaviour, damaging many cultivated, ornamental and wild plants. Recent interceptions show that this species has the potential to establish itself permanently in southern Mediterranean areas. Key Words: Platynota stultana, Lepidoptera Tortricidae, Italy, Europe, spread
Over the years, several species of the flea beetle genus Epitrix have been detected outside their native ranges, including in Europe. Some of these species have caused significant economic damage to crops upon their introduction. This study reports the first detection of the American flea beetle species Epitrix brevis Schwarz, 1878 outside its native range, in Italy. The species was identified using both morphological and molecular approaches, along with the plant on which it was found feeding. Native to Ontario, Canada and several U.S. states, E. brevis feeds on a variety of solanaceous plants, including economically important crops such as tomato, potato, and pepper. In Italy, E. brevis was observed feeding on Solanum nigrum, a wild species of the Solanaceae family. Although the area surrounding the detection site has not been fully surveyed, the species potential presence in nearby cultivated crops cannot be excluded. Further research and monitoring are crucial to determine the distribution and impact of E. brevis on cultivated Solanaceae in Italy and to prevent its spread across the country. Key Words: invasive Chrysomelidae, solanaceous crop insect pest, Solanum nigrum, leaf beetles
Three Crambinae species from the Afrotropical region are described and illustrated: Prionapteryx asirensis sp. n. from Saudi Arabia, P. samaru sp. n. from Nigeria and P. spinosa sp. n. from Somalia. Key Words: Afrotropic, Crambinae, new species, Nigeria, Pyraloidea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia
Chesias plumbeata Staudinger, 1901 is recorded for the first time from Europe based on some adults collected in the island of Pantelleria (Strait of Sicily, Italy), near Bagno dell’Acqua lake. The species was previously known from North Africa. Identification was confirmed by using morphological and molecular taxonomic characters. Male genitalia of C. plumbeata are here described for the first time. Biological information and illustrations useful for the moth identification are provided. The finding of this species shows that the inventorying of the lepidoptera fauna of Pantelleria, from where 152 species have so far been recorded, is still far away from completion and needs further efforts. Key Words: Lepidoptera, Geometridae, European fauna, Pantelleria island, Sicily, Italy
We present data on 32 species of Gelechiidae collected in southern Italy (Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily). Twenty species are new to the regions, with particular interest of Scrobipalpa brahmiella (Heyden, 1862), Caryocolum blandella (Douglas, 1852) and Anarsia leberonella (Real, 1994), which are new to the Italian fauna. Additionally, Anarsia innoxella Gregersen & Karsholt, 2017 and Caryocolum cauligenella (Schmid, 1863) were newly recorded in southern Italy, while Scrobipalpa phagnalella (Constant, 1895) is new for continental Italy. We present DNA barcode analyses for all recorded species, as well as characterizations of their distribution area. Key Words: Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, DNA barcoding, fauna, new data, biodiversity
The beetroot moth Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera Crambidae) is a widespread species in all continents except Antarctica and recently was found in several European countries, where is probably arrived as alien species. New records in Italy of this pest species are reported through the citizen-science use based on photo- graphic material on the websites iNaturalist and observation.org. The species is documented for the first time from Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, and Apulia and from 17 provinces in the others regions. Key Words: citizen-science, distribution, faunistic, pest.
