The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) attacks maize (Zea mays Linneaus, 1753) plants in all their stages, and causing severe damage. This study was aimed to evaluate the toxicological, biochemical, and biological effects of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles (HSNps) on S. frugiperda with 4 concentrations (500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm). Also, the biochemical effects of LC50 on maize plants under semi field conditions were evaluated. Results showed that LC50 values were 127.88, 136.96 and 875.18 ppm for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd larval instar after 7 days of treatment, respectively. HSNps prolonged duration of the larval and pupal stages and pre-oviposition period. On opposite, HSNps decreased both of pupal weight, adult longevity, number of eggs/female, incubation period and hatchability %. Moreover, HSNps have a negative effect on larval digestive and defensive enzymes such as proteases, lipase, amylase, B-glucosidases, and carboxylesterase enzymes. But, HSNps increased chitinase, phenoloxidase enzymes and total amount of proteins. Foliar spraying of HSNps stimulate activity of antioxidant enzymes and increases the amount of total proteins, carbohydrates, and nitrogen (N). But inhibit total phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) of maize plants. These results provide evidence that HSNps have the potential for use as a safe alternative to control the fall armyworm.
Bruchidius siliquastri Delobel, 2007 was described relatively recently based on specimens from France and China. The species is associated with various species of the genus Cercis L. It is currently known from China and 19 European countries, including those bordering Poland: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Two males of Bruchidius siliquastri were reared from pods of Cercis siliquastrum L. collected in the Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław (south-western Poland). Given the popularity of Cercis siliquastrum as an ornamental tree, this species may also occur in other parts of the country, particularly in parks, botanical gardens, and arboreta where species of this tree are cultivated.
The first mention of Micrococcus silvestrii (Leonardi, 1907) in Algeria dates back to 1936, when Balachowsky reported receiving colonies from M. P. de Peyerimhoff, collected from Tapinoma sp. nests in the Djurdjura Mountains. However, the exact collection site was not specified, no other documentation since then has confirmed its presence. In this work, we confirm the presence of M. silvestrii in the Djurdjura National Park in north-central Algeria, and make the first mention of it in the north-western region, specifically in the Theniet El Had National Park. Myrmecological surveys conducted between January 2023 and February 2025 enabled manual identification of several colonies of M. silvestrii, in symbiosis with the ant Tapinoma simrothi Krausse, 1911, under large stones and on host plants of the Poaceae family. These observations confirm the insect's presence and its range extension in Algeria.
The authors present dragonfly data collected mainly in central and northern Finland during the summer season in 2023-2025. A total of 27 species were recorded at 65 sites, including 16 species north of the Arctic Circle. This is a significant addition to the knowledge of the fauna of some poorly explored regions in Finland. From a zoogeographical perspective, the most significant is the first record of Onychogomphus forcipatus beyond the Arctic Circle and 270 km north of the current northernmost site. Also Lestes sponsa and Cordulia aenea were found outside the previously known range, and the records of Coenagrion armatum, C. pulchellum, Aeshna grandis, A. serrata, and Somatochlora flavomaculata are crucial for refining the boundaries of their distribution areas. The records of 13 threatened or near threatened species in Europe and the European Union are also valuable.
Among the several publications focusing on spiders and insects in Albania, very few address their venom, toxicity and medical significance. This study presents the first comprehensive data on the ecology and distribution of medically significant insects and spiders found in Albania, including information on morphology, habitat preferences and venom toxicity. The data presented here has been gathered from an extensive literature review and through citizen science, focusing on social networks, written and verbal media, observations collected from the online platforms iNaturalist and records available on The Global Biodiversity Information Facility website. Results show that spiders from the “widow” group, belonging to the genera Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 and Steatoda Sundevall, 1833, are frequently mentioned in the literature for the severity of their bites due to the potent neurotoxin α–latrotoxin present in their venom. Meanwhile, the medical significance of hymenopterans, especially the honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, is due to the anaphylactic reactions induced by their highly allergenic venom. This study presents the first attempt to map the distribution of venomous spiders and insects present in Albania, with detailed information on their morphology, ecology, and venom toxicity, with the aim of informing the public and health professionals across the country, and more largely, the Balkan region.
Cardiastethus fasciiventris (Garbiglietti, 1869) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is a Mediterranean-Atlantic species, known to inhabit a wide range of host plants, primarily conifers, and is of economic importance as a biocontrol agent. The species was reported for the first time from Poland by Péricart in 1972 and was subsequently included in the Polish heteropteran checklist. However, we consider this record questionable, and the origin of the specimen on which the claim was based, unclear. Other reports of this species from Poland have been found to be misidentifications. Therefore, we provide the first confirmed record of this species in Poland. On the 20th of June 2022, a male specimen was collected in Wrocław-Maślice, Lower Silesia, during light trapping. We also list eleven other heteropteran species collected at this site. The presented record of Cardiastethus fasciiventris represents the northeasternmost known locality for the species in Europe. The increase in Central European records suggests an ongoing range expansion, potentially facilitated by climate change.
The Kampinos National Park is the second largest national park in Poland and the only one in the Mazovia region. Materials presented in this paper were obtained between 2009 and 2018 within the boundaries of Kampinos National Park. Samples were collected using IBL-5 partitioned traps and IBL-2 screen traps. The partitioned traps were hanged on decaying and freshly dead trees, while the IBL-2 screen traps were hanged in forest habitats with a high concentration of dead trees. In this article, new data on the occurrence of 41 Pselaphinae species in the Kampinos National Park are provided, including 38 previously recorded species and 3 new for the area: Brachygluta sinuata (Aubé, 1833), Claviger testaceus Preyssler, 1790, and Trichonyx sulcicollis (Reichenbach, 1816). Occurrence of two species known from the literature: Brachygluta xanthoptera (Reichenbach, 1816) and Pselaphaulax dresdensis (Herbst, 1792), could not be confirmed by new data. Summarizing the literature and new findings, 43 Pselaphinae species are currently known from the Park area, representing 54% of the national fauna of this beetle family. Two species, Brachygluta sinuata (Aubé, 1833) and Claviger testaceus Preyssler, 1790, are considered new to the Mazovian Lowland.
As a result of studies on the Lepidoptera of the Natura 2000 area “Wydmy Lucynowsko-Mostowieckie” in 2023, we recorded 32 species for the first time in the Mazovian voivodeship, significantly increasing the knowledge about distribution of these taxa in the region. Notably, seven species from the Tortricidae family, as well as Leucoptera sinuella (Reutti, 1853), were documented for the first time since at least 1960, highlighting their rarity or previous under-detection. In addition, we identified a new host plant species for Chionodes distinctella (Zeller, 1839). These findings underscore the importance of continued faunistic research and biodiversity monitoring in the region, as they reveal significant gaps in knowledge regarding local Lepidoptera diversity. The presence of previously unrecorded species emphasizes the need for conservation efforts and further studies to better understand species distributions, habitat requirements and potential threats to these populations.
Peatlands are one the most threatened habitats in Europe. They have been dried and changed into hay meadows and the peat was extracted for heating purposes. Climatic changes have also contributed to the vanishing of peatlands. This is why, water organisms are becoming endangered or extinct. In Poland, fens are the most common among peatlands, yet still, the fauna of invertebrates, in this case Odonata, is not fully examined, especially in anthropogenic habitats such as peat excavations. Such water bodies seem to be the last hope for tyrphophiles, since the pits are deep and the water mirror is visible which ensures reproduction. On account of degradation of natural habitats, anthropogenic waters are in the center of attention; they may become the secondary habitats for aquatic organisms, including dragonflies. Peat excavations are able to support populations of plants and animals. Nevertheless, they are still a by-product of extracting peat for a fuel and horticultural purposes and not the object of deliberate protection. Still, more have to be explored in the context on specific factors important for dragonflies living in peat excavations, in order to plan the conservation in a directed way. There are only few articles particularly about that subject in Poland and most of the authors concentrate mainly on peat pools on sphagnum bogs. There are some publications in Europe, though, with the ideas for protection and conservation of dragonflies. Nevertheless, more should be added concerning dragonflies on peat excavations specifically, since the naturalness of the habitat is not the main issue as far as biodiversity of odonatofauna is concerned. The aim of this article is to find available articles and papers which are focused on odonatofauna of peat excavations on fens (alkaline fens, where possible) to evaluate such habitats as useful anthropogenic water bodies in conservation of dragonflies.
least effective variables in population changes. Principal components analysis was conducted to analyze the meteorological variables and F. virgata estimates to determine the association between them.
This paper presents, for the first time, a complete list of the Moroccan Leucospidae (Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea). Six species have been identified in Morocco to date, placed in a single genus, LeucospisFabricius, 1775. The geographical distribution of each species in Morocco is compiled along with its globaldistribution, biology and associated plants. Additionally, a comment with a comparison for countries in theNorth African region was illustrated with a map.
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is known as one of the most important insect pests in Egypt, depending on the wide host range and quick adaptation to climatic factors. The current study aimed to evaluate the toxic and biochemical effects of photosensitizer (magnesium chlorophillin (Mg-Chl), nanocomposites (graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterial over magnesium chlorophillin (Mg-Chl/GO), and essential oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) against the second instar larvae of S. frugiperda. Four concentrations of three compounds were tested. Thereafter, some biochemical aspects of the surviving second instar larvae of S. frugiperda after each treatment were recorded. The findings indicated that the larval mortality rate exhibited a positive correlation with increasing both the concentration of tested compounds and exposure duration. The mortality percentage of the Mg-Chl/GO composite was higher than magnesium chlorophillin (Mg-Chl) and essential oil of lemongrass. According to LC50 values, Mg-Chl/GO (LC50=0.0005 ml/ l) as more effective than Mg-Chl (LC50=0.227 ml/ l) and C. citratus essential oil (LC50=7.5 ml/ l). Also, according to LT50 values, the Mg-Chl/GO nanocomposite had higher time-response effectiveness on S. frugiperda larval mortality % than the photosensitizing Mg-Chl treatments. At the exposure of 1 hour of light, LT50 there was 2.306 and 2.578 days at Mg-Chl/GO (10-2) and Mg-Chl (10-2), respectively. The three tested compounds demonstrated a markedly significant reduction in total protein levels when compared to the control group. Detoxification enzyme activity in treated larvae indicated a significant effect on acetylcholinesterase (AchE), GST, and CaE compared control.
The first unequivocal record of Alocentron (Alocentron) curvirostre (Gyllenhal, 1833) in Poland is reported. New records of Aspidapion radiolus (Kirby), A. validum (Germar), and Rhopalapion longirostre (Olivier) from Lublin (E Poland) are also provided.
Aclees taiwanensis Kôno is an alien species in Europe, which originally came from Taiwan. In 2022, it was found for the first time in Poland as the result of an unintentional introduction from France, together with an ornamental specimen of Ficus microcarpa. In this paper, the history of the species’ appearance in Europe and its potential harmfulness to crops of ornamental plants are discussed.
On the basis of the literature research and test material gathered during the Polish biological expedition to the Middle Nile in 2023, an updated catalogue of the Nubian Tenebrionidae has been compiled. It comprises 66 species and subspecies belonging to 41 genera and subgenera. The distribution of seven species has been supplemented with new sites.
The paper presents data on the occurrence of 15 beetle species new to the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest. The beetles were caught during the inventory of the Białowieża Forest carried out from May to September 2023. The beetles were caught using purple multiple-funnel (Lindgren) traps, which were set up in selected locations within the study area. The captured beetles belong to 9 families: Curculionidae (1 species), Latridiidae (3), Melandryidae (1), Melyridae (1), Scarabaeidae (1), Scraptiidae (1), Sphindidae (1), Staphylinidae (4) and Tenebrionidae (2). Among them, Corticaria lukashuki Saluk, 2015 (Latridiidae) and Rushia parreyssii (Mulsant, 1856) (Melandryidae) are new species for the fauna of Poland. In addition, Stenichnus styriacus Franz, 1960 (Staphylinidae) is the second country records. The occurrence of the rare saproxylic beetle Protaetia fieberi (Kraatz, 1880) (Scarabaeidae), which is listed in the Polish Red List of Threatened and Endangered Animals and in the Polish Red Book of Animals, was confirmed after 30 years. Taking into account the results of the present study, the number of beetle species in the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest is currently 3018.
Aclees taiwanensis Kôno is an alien species in Europe, which originally came from Taiwan. In 2022, it was found for the first time in Poland as the result of an unintentional introduction from France, together with an ornamental specimen of Ficus microcarpa. In this paper, the history of the species’ appearance in Europe and its potential harmfulness to crops of ornamental plants are discussed.
In April 2019, 25.4 ha of woodland in the Płaska Forest District in the SE part of the Augustów Forest were damaged by fire. Between 2020-2022 a survey of beetles in the burnt and unburnt (control) parts of the forest was carried out. The insects were collected in IBL-2bis window (= flight interception) traps. 781 species classified in 67 families were identified. Among these species, Acrotrichis strandi (Ptiliidae) was found in Poland for the first time, and 41 species were new records for the Masurian Lake District. During the studies, two species protected in Poland (Boros schneideri, Cucujus cinnaberinus), and several more from the Polish Red List of Animals, the Polish Red Book of Animals and the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles, were recorded. Fifteen of the beetles recorded are relicts of primeval forests in Central Europe: Boros schneideri (Boridae); Stephanopachys linearis (Bostrichidae); Ampedus tristis (Elateridae); Leiestes seminiger (Endomychidae); Platylomalus complanatus, Platysoma deplanatum (Histeridae); Corticaria longicornis, Latridius brevicollis (Latridiidae); Peltis grossa (Peltidae); Stagetus borealis (Ptinidae); Tachyusida gracilis (Staphylinidae); Corticeus fasciatus, C. suturalis, Prionychus melanarius (Tenebrionidae); Colydium filiforme (Zopheridae). The present paper lists the beetles recorded and gives brief characteristics of rare species, primeval forest relicts and a selection of species from the Polish Red List of Animals.
For the Tunisian population of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae, little data are available. To examine the genetic diversity of this population, we sequenced a segment of the mitochondrial ND1 gene in 15 olive fly samples collected from olive trees in northern Tunisia. In addition, two specimens from Italy and four from California were also sequenced. A total of seven different mitochondrial haplotypes were observed in the samples currently sequenced. The Tunisian population of B. oleae showed a level of polymorphism comparable to that found in various populations worldwide. Although a clear phylogenetic separation between the Mediterranean samples was not possible, the Tunisian haplotypes could be assigned to any of the two Mediterranean groups i.e., the western and eastern Mediterranean. Our phylogenetic analyses and ancestral reconstruction method suggested an Asian origin of B. oleae populations and a Mediterranean origin, respectively. These findings contradict previous studies that suggested an African origin for the fruit fly populations.
Both sexes of Dasyhelea porczynskii Szadziewski, Blatrix et Dominiak, n. sp. collected from flowers of Aristolochia clematitis L. in southern France are described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to D. leptoclada Remm, 1967 female of which is briefly diagnosed for the first time.
