Acta Entomologica Serbica

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 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.

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.