Acta Entomologica Serbica

INTERESTING RECORDS OF SOME RARE MOTHS IN CROATIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND MONTENEGRO

Toni Koren — 2025-03-25

In this paper, we present records of 15 new or rarely documented moth species from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Four species are reported for the first time in Croatia: Rhodostrophia discopunctata, Dryobotodes servadeii, Spodoptera littoralis, and Xylocampa mustapha. For three additional species, we provide either the first recent records or evidence of significant range expansion: Thysanoplusia daubei, Ctenoplusia accentifera, and Tathorhynchus exsiccata. One species, Enterpia laudeti, is newly recorded for Montenegro, while six species are newly documented for Bosnia and Herzegovina: Pachypasa otus, Ochropleura leucogaster, Hadena adriana, Xylocampa mustapha, Plusidia cheiranthi, and Autophila limbata. We also include new records of the invasive species Hyphantria cunea in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All previous records of Xylocampa areola from Croatia most likely refer to X. mustapha, indicating that X. mustapha is likely the sole representative of this genus in the eastern Adriatic region.

COLYDIUM NOBLECOURTI PARMAIN, ECKELT & SCHUH, 2024 (COLEOPTERA: ZOPHERIDAE): NEW BEETLE SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF SERBIA AND NEW RECORDS OF THE GENUS COLYDIUM FABRICIUS, 1792 IN SERBIA

Dawid Marczak — 2025-05-12

The study presents the first data on Colydium noblecourti in Serbia. Specimens of Colydium from the authors' collection, originating from southeastern, southern, and southwestern Serbia, were reexamined, identifying all three European Colydium species in the region. All records of Colydium in Serbia need to be revised.

LEPIDOPTERA FAUNA OF NAMIBIA III: KATIMA MULILO, ZAMBEZI REGION

Grzegorz Kopij — 2025-07-03

In total, 76 moth and 12 butterfly species from 14 superfamilies and three families, respectively, have been identified in and around Katima Mulilo, a town in northeastern Namibia. The most speciose families were Noctuidae (22 spp.) and Geometridae (9 spp.). Forty-three species were recorded for the first time in Namibia, including 19 from the family Noctuidae and 7 from the family Geometridae. The present study suggests that the moth fauna of Namibia, especially of the families Noctuidae and Geometridae, is largely unrecorded in the Zambezi Region, and perhaps elsewhere in Namibia.

NEW DATA ON TUPONIA REUTER, 1875 (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE) FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM IN BELGRADE, SERBIA

Ljiljana Protić — 2025-08-20

This paper summarizes data about plant bugs of the genus Tuponia Reuter, 1875, in the collections of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade, Serbia. The collections include: Tuponia (Tuponia) elegans (Jakovlev, 1867), Tuponia (Tuponia) montandoni Reuter, 1899, Tuponia (Chlorotuponia) hippophaes (Fieber, 1861), Tuponia (Chlorotuponia) prasina (Fieber, 1864), and Tuponia (Tuponia) mixticolor (A. Costa, 1862). T. montandoni and T. elegans are newly recorded species in the Serbian fauna.

REDUCING RELIANCE ON ARTIFICIAL DIETS: BIOECONOMIC NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING SPODOPTERA LITTORALIS (BOISD.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) COLONIES

Aleksandra Trajković — 2025-08-25

The Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, is a widely distributed polyphagous species that attacks several economically important host plants. Laboratory colonies of this species have been vital for pest management research, with more recent applications emerging in the context of sustainable food systems. Current reliance on artificial diets for colony maintenance is expensive and environmentally unsustainable. In this study, alternative bioeconomic dietary strategies are investigated using dandelion leaves (D) and unsold market vegetables (beetroot and potato mix, BP) as substitutes for the standard artificial diet (S). Over five generations, key life history parameters, including larval duration, survival, final instar weight, pupation success, adult emergence, and fecundity, were monitored under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that larvae fed on D exhibited the shortest development time, highest survival rates, and superior fecundity compared to those reared on other diets. The BP diet supported performance comparable to the artificial diet. These findings show that alternative diets can sustain S. littoralis colonies, enhance certain biological traits, and offer a cost-effective, sustainable approach to insect farming.

ALLOCHTHONOUS INSECTS IN SERBIA: DATA PUBLISHED DURING THE 21ST CENTURY

Vladimir Žikić — 2025-08-26

The increasing globalization of trade and human movement has significantly contributed to the unintentional introduction of alien insect species worldwide, including Serbia. This review summarizes data on alien insects recorded in Serbia between 2000 and 2025, based on published literature and open-access databases. A total of 120 alien species were identified, of which 79 (66%) are considered invasive. Most belong to the order Hemiptera, especially the family Aphididae (24 species). Other significant records include Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and several other insect orders. In several cases, specimens collected before 2000 were reported only later, due to previous misidentification or lack of diagnostic tools such as COI barcoding. Climate change and increased planting of ornamental host plants have contributed to the northward spread of Mediterranean species, such as Tuponia hippophaes and Orsillus depressus. Intentional introductions for biocontrol purposes (e.g., Perillus bioculatus, Ophraella communa) have also been documented. The discoveries of nine alien species between 2023 and 2024 indicate a continuing trend of introductions. Most species originate from Asia and North America, reflecting global trade patterns. This study underscores the need to enhance monitoring systems, strengthen taxonomic expertise, and implement comprehensive risk assessments as essential steps in effectively addressing the increasing introduction and spread of alien insect species in Serbia.

FIRST RECORD OF LINDENIA TETRAPHYLLA (VANDER LINDEN, 1825) (ODONATA: GOMPHIDAE) IN SERBIA

Marko Nikolić — 2025-08-29

In this paper, the first records of Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825) in Serbia are presented, based on field surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the Dobrotin locality, southeastern Serbia. This observation expands the known range of L. tetraphylla in the Balkans, although its breeding status in the area remains to be confirmed. With this record, the total number of dragonfly species documented in Serbia reaches 70. The discovery underscores the value of ongoing faunistic surveys, particularly in underexplored habitats, and highlights the potential for climate change to drive shifts in species composition.

MEDITERRANIZATION CONTINUED: CHRYSOLINA AMERICANA (LINNAEUS, 1758) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) IN SERBIA

Mihailo D. Vujić — 2025-08-26

On May 13, 2025, an exceptionally large population of the rosemary beetle, Chrysolina americana, was recorded in a plantation of ornamental lavender in Belgrade, Serbia. Numerous adult beetles were observed and collected, mainly on lavender inflorescences, along with a small number of larvae, mostly found on the abaxial sides of the lavender leaves. The species appeared to be confined to a single lavender plantation, as neighboring plantations had not yet shown signs of colonization. This article provides the first official record of C. americana in Serbia, documenting the establishment of another Mediterranean-origin species in the country. We believe C. americana is a relatively recent invader, as indicated by its high abundance in the affected plantation yet limited spread. It is the 410^th chrysomelid recorded in the Serbian fauna and the 26^th, as well as the only allochthonous, species within its genus