Author(s): Yiannis G. Zevgolis, Christodoulos I. Sazeides, Evdoxia Bintsi-Frantzi, Alexandros D. Kouris, Apostolos Christopoulos
Abstract: In recent years, traditional olive groves have undergone a shift towards modern farming practices, raising concerns about their potential impact on local fauna. Despite the documented effects of various agricultural practices on wildlife, there is a notable gap in understanding the implications of pruning practices in traditional olive groves. This study presents a unique observation, the first documented adverse effect of pruning on an olive tree within a traditional grove in Lesvos, Greece, inhabited by Persian squirrels (Sciurus anomalus). Beyond immediate impacts, we conducted comprehensive measurements of both the pruned olive tree and the squirrel’s nest (den), along with an assessment of the entire grove. The findings highlight the need for ecologically informed olive grove management to sustain biodiversity in these historically significant environments.
]]>Author(s): Boyan Zlatkov, Dimitar Uzunov
Abstract: Dichrorampha dinarica and Cydia suffuscana are known from their type localities only, and apart from the period of the imaginal stage, no data on their biology are known. Dichrorampha dinarica was discovered in Tomor Mountain (Albania), at a relatively long distance from its type locality. The moths were swept from inflorescences of Achillea abrotanoides (Vis.) Vis. (Asteraceae) in the base of 61.2 Alpine calcareous screes (CORINE Biotopes). The larval host plant of C. suffuscana was revealed: it is Lunaria annua L. (Brassicaceae), while all other closely related species from the C. succedana group feed on various Fabaceae. The habitat of the moth after CORINE Biotopes is the margin of 41.45 Thermophilous Alpine and peri-Alpine mixed lime forests. The moths and their habitats are described and illustrated.
]]>Author(s): Anatoliy A. Khapugin, Irina G. Esina, Sergey R. Mayorov
Abstract: The history of Xanthium genus research in a protected area in European Russia (Mordovia State Nature Reserve) has been reviewed based on available data (herbarium collections, publications, archive of Chronicles of Nature). We found that X. strumarium was the only species, which has been mentioned in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve since 1939. However, the overview of available data allowed us to conclude that all Xanthium plants found in this protected area to date belong to Xanthium orientale, an invasive alien species.
]]>Author(s): Laura Mlynárová, Jozef Oboňa, Peter Bagin, Beáta Baranová, Rudolf Cáfal, Eva Čisovská Bazsalovicsová, Alexander Csanády, Kateřina Dvořáková, Miro Fulín, Gernot Kunz, Stanislav Greš, Ivica Králová-Hromadová, Peter Krišovský, Peter Manko, Alžbeta Radačovská, Jakub Repaský, Daniela Tomášiková, Martin Hromada
Abstract: The hippoboscids play important roles in ecosystem functioning and can serve as indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health. These bloodsucking ectoparasites are important from a public health perspective, as they can serve as vectors of various endoparasitic pathogens in animals and humans, although our understanding is still limited in this case. The current study provides information on the host species and distribution, which can contribute to the understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these important arthropods with a potential impact on both animal and human health. We present an ecological parasite-host interaction network of louse flies and deer keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) collected from various sites in Slovakia from this time. A total of 123 new samples of eight hippoboscid fly species were captured on 17 species, including 15 birds and two mammals. New host-parasite interactions were recorded for the first time.
]]>Author(s): Denis Gradinarov, Yana Petrova
Abstract: Bulgarian endemic species Pilemia serriventris (Holzschuh, 1984) is reported for the first time with exact data from several localities, including its type locality near Harmanli. The species is distributed in SE Bulgaria along river valleys from the Aegean and the Black Sea drainage basins, inhabiting both riverside and roadside habitats. The host plant of the species appears to be Anchusa procera Besser, and the earlier reports of host plants are doubtful.
]]>Author(s): Vladimir Sakalian, Vítězslav Kubáň, Toshko Ljubomirov, Georgi Georgiev, Adil Tonğa
Abstract: New data are presented on the distribution of 58 species and subspecies in the European and Asiatic part of Türkiye, which belong to 16 genera and six subfamilies of jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Notably, this research confirms the presence of Anthaxia (Anthaxia) fulgurans (Schrank, 1789), Eurythyrea quercus (Herbst, 1780) and E. aurata (Pallas, 1776) within the Turkish fauna. Anthaxia (A.) semicuprea Küster, 1851 is new for the European Türkiye. The exact localities in this country of Chalcophora intermedia intermedia (Rey, 1890), Cyphosoma paganettii Obenberger, 1914, C. veselyi Obenberger, 1925, Dicerca amphibia Marseul, 1865 and D. moesta (Fabricius, 1792) are reported for the first time. Some distinguishing characters of Agrilus (Quercuagrilus) graminis Kiesenwetter, 1857 and A. (Q.) hastulifer (Ratzeburg, 1837) allowing their better identification are given as well.
]]>Author(s): Tsvetomir Tsvetanov
Abstract: Theophilea subcylindricollis Hladil, 1988 was recorded for the second time in Bulgaria. A single male specimen was found on 7 May 2023 in Vinarovo Village, Vidin Province, Northwestern Bulgaria. Photos of the specimen ex situ are presented.
]]>Author(s): Georgi Kunev
Abstract: The present paper discusses new data on the distribution of 15 plant taxa, native or alien to the vascular flora of Bulgaria. Allium urusakiorum is reported to Bulgaria for the first time. Five of the listed taxa, Thelypteris palustris, Isolepis supina, Cladium mariscus, Carex punctata, and Avena eriantha are of conservation significance at regional scale. The current invasive status of the alien to the Bulgarian vascular flora Mollugo verticillata is discussed. Additional nomenclature notes and comments on some neglected herbarium records distributed in the indexed Bulgarian herbaria were included to the text.
]]>Author(s): Dimitar Bechev, Svetlozara Kazandzhieva
Abstract: A new species of Mycetophilidae (Diptera), tentatively placed in Dziedzickia Johannsen, is herein described as D. longistyla sp. nov. (Malaysia: Sarawak). The species described herein differs from the two previously known Oriental species included in Dziedzickia in having simple antenae, laterotergite with long setae and extended, apically pointed gonostyle. A brief discussion of the relationships among some genera of Gnoristinae is also presented.
]]>Author(s): Margarita Georgieva, Ilia Gjonov, Veselin Ivanov, Sevdalin Belilov, Yonko Dodev, Lyubomira Georgieva, Plamen Mirchev, Georgi Georgiev
Abstract: During the period 2020-2023, strong damage caused by singing cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) were registered on ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in the field protective forest belts (FPFBs) in South Dobrudzha, northeastern Bulgaria. Bioacoustic studies have shown that the sounds are of Cicada orni. Many exuvia of the species were also found on the trunks and branches of ash trees. On the upper shoots and petioles, numerous oviposition holes were observed, which lead to leaf fall and drying of branch tips. In different FPFBs, tree crown damage ranges from a moderate (25-60% defoliation) to a severe (over 60% defoliation) degree. The attacks were stronger on Fraxinus excelsior and F. americana compared to F. angustifolia. The cicadas affect both old trees and young ash saplings. In young plantations, other tree species (Sophora japonica, Gleditsia triacanthos) were also affected. Imaginal activity of Cicada orni was recorded in July and August, and the peak of egg hatching occurred from early August to mid-September. The high number of Cicada orni necessitates the development of measures to control the pest in the FPFBs.
]]>Author(s): Olavi Kurina, Anna Dénes, Libor Dvořák, Kateřina Dvořáková, Jozef Oboňa, Jindřich Roháček, Peter Manko
Abstract: This paper attempts to fill the gaps in knowledge about the biodiversity of some winter-active fly families from snowfields and caves in VârghiÈ™, Romania. A total of 15 fly species were recorded from caves and 9 species from snowfields. Exechiopsis (Exechiopsis) pseudindecisa Lastovka et Matile, 1974 and Rymosia placida Winnertz, 1863 from caves and Mycetophila mitis (Johannsen, 1912) (all Mycetophilidae) from snow represent the first records for Romania. Habitus photographs of these three species are provided.
]]>Author(s): Boyan Zlatkov, Ognyan Sivilov
Abstract: Two rare steppe species, Ceratoxanthis rakosyella Wieser et Huemer, 2000 and Thiodia irinae Budashkin, 1990, are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. They are found in endangered habitats in Northern Bulgaria. The species demonstrate peculiar genital morphology, which is discussed and illustrated. The moths, their habitats in Bulgaria and distribution are illustrated as well.
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