Acta Entomologica Serbica

TRITHEMIS ANNULATA (PALISOT DE BEAUVOIS, 1807) AND SELYSIOTHEMIS NIGRA (VANDER LINDEN, 1825) (ODONATA: LIBELLULIDAE): NEW MEMBERS OF THE DRAGONFLY FAUNA OF SERBIA

Aca Đurđević — 2025-01-09

Field investigations along the South Morava River near Niš have led to the discovery of two new dragonfly species for Serbia: Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) and Selysiothemis nigra (Vander Linden, 1825), both belonging to the family Libellulidae. S. nigra was found in large numbers and with confirmed reproduction at several sites, indicating well-established populations. In contrast, Trithemis annulata was recorded at only two locations, with sightings limited to male individuals patrolling or resting in the typical “obelisk” posture. These findings increase the total number of dragonfly species known in Serbia to 69, enriching our understanding of the region's biodiversity and providing a foundation for further ecological and conservation research.

TYPE LOCALITIES OF ODONATA SPECIES DESCRIBED IN TÜRKIYE AND THEIR CONNECTIONS TO THE COUNTRY’S BIODIVERSITY

Nurten Hacet — 2025-01-16

Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye has a diverse and rich biodiversity. The number of Odonata species identified from Türkiye so far is approximately 73% of the total number identified in Europe. Twenty-one taxa (15 species and 6 subspecies) were first described from Türkiye. The country lies at the intersection of three global biodiversity hotspots – Caucasus, Irano-Anatolian, and the Mediterranean Basin – which overlap geographically with the type localities of the Odonata species described in the country. These regions, where species diversity is high, also host endemic Odonata species. Three taxa (Calopteryx waterstoni Schneider 1984, Cordulegaster amasina Morton 1916, and Cordulegaster kalkmani Schneider et al., 2021) are endemic to Türkiye. The presence of endemic species in biodiversity hotspots, where original habitats have been lost at an alarming rate, highlights the urgent need to assess their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List categories. Ensuring the long-term conservation of Odonata biodiversity in Türkiye depends on sustainable protection programs that address pollution, habitat fragmentation, and overexploitation of the remaining relatively natural freshwater ecosystems.

NEW DATA ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PERILLUS BIOCULATUS (HETEROPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE): FIRST RECORDS FROM CROATIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, NORTH MACEDONIA, GEORGIA, AND ARMENIA

Sebastian Ćato — 2024-11-19

Perillus bioculatus, a stink bug native to North America, was occasionally introduced to Europe in the early 20th century as a control agent against the potato pest Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Efforts were made to establish it, but it was not observed in the wild or considered naturalized until recent decades. In this paper, P. bioculatus is reported for the first time from five countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Georgia, and Armenia. Individuals were usually observed in the fall in gardens on potato plants while feasting on Colorado potato beetles, or near houses. Details about the new findings are presented, and the origin and further spread of the species are shortly discussed.

ISOLATION, MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION, AND PATHOGENICITY OF BEAUVERIA HOPLOCHELI FROM THE PINE PROCESSIONARY MOTH, THAUMETOPOEA PITYOCAMPA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOTODONTIDAE)

Mustafa Yaman — 2024-12-10

The pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.), is a significant defoliator in pine forests. T. pityocampa also causes health risks to people due to their urticating hair. Possible control options include the application of chemical pesticides, mechanical removal, and the use of predator insects. However, these control methods are insufficient to control the pest. Therefore, new environmentally friendly control methods are needed to protect pine forests. In this study, a previously unreported species of entomopathogenic fungus was isolated and identified, and its insecticidal effect against pine processionary moth larvae was determined for the first time. The fungal isolate was identified as Beauveria hoplocheli according to the results of fungal rDNA gene sequence analysis. The insecticidal potential of the fungal isolate was also tested against second-instar larvae of T. pityocampa. The fungal isolate had a high pathogenic effect, ranging from 73.4% to 100% against the T. pityocampa larvae.

PAUESIA QUILIS, 1931 (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE; APHIDIINAE) IN SERBIA: THREE SPECIES NEW TO SERBIAN FAUNA WITH AN IDENTIFICATION KEY

Korana Kocić — 2024-10-03

Pauesia is a diverse genus within the Aphidiinae subfamily, comprising about 80 species across the Holarctic region. Despite their diversity and distribution, a comprehensive modern revision of the species has yet to be undertaken. So far, six species have been recorded in Serbia. Our study identified three species new to the Serbian fauna: Pauesia similis Starý, 1966, P. juniperorum (Starý, 1960), and P. silvestris (Starý, 1960). Data on the location and tritrophic associations of the collected material are provided, as well as an identification key for Pauesia females in Serbia. We present two new trophic associations, both involving Pinus peuce Griseb. (Macedonian pine): P. similis and P. piceaecollis reared from Cinara aphids.

NEW RECORDS OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES SCELIPHRON CAEMENTARIUM (DRURY, 1773) (HYMENOPTERA: SPHECIDAE) IN ADDITIONAL COUNTRIES AND REGIONS

Filippo Ceccolini — 2024-12-11

Sceliphron caementarium (Drury, 1773) is a Nearctic mud-dauber wasp, accidentally introduced in various parts of the world. The occurrence of this species was first recorded in Algeria, Turkey, Curaçao, Colombia, and Vanuatu, as well as the island of Crete and the archipelago of Tremiti Islands. Moreover, an additional 27 regions across several countries and 11 new islands have been identified as locations where the species occurs.

NEW DATA ON TACHINID FAUNA (DIPTERA: TACHINIDAE) IN SERBIA

Saša S. Stanković — 2024-12-27

This study contributes to the knowledge of the tachinid fauna of Serbia, with material primarily collected from southern regions of the country. A total of 16 tachinid species were identified, including Carcelia dubia, representing a new record for Serbia's tachinid fauna. The larvae of Zygaena filipendulae and Melitaea trivia were documented as new hosts for three tachinid species.