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New province records and interesting observations of Lepidoptera in 2023 are mentioned. Some older data are also listed. The whole list is arranged in alphabetical order. Systematics and nomenclature follow the Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium (De Prins & Steeman 2024). Several new species for the Belgian fauna are mentioned: Musotima nitidalis (Walker, 1866), Opogona omoscopa (Meyrick, 1893), Parapoynx polydectalis (Walker, 1859), and Ypsolopha asperella (Linnaeus, 1761). Three species were removed from the Belgian list: Aporophyla lutulenta (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Eupithecia distinctaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1848, and Lamoria anella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2019, several swellings caused by mistletoe (Viscum album L.) were collected in the south of the Province of Luxembourg to demonstrate a possible presence of Synanthedon loranthi (Králícek, 1966). Some galls were collected both on apple (Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.). As a coincidental find, a caterpillar of Celypha woodiana (Barrett, 1882) (Tortricidae) was also found. This species has not been observed in Belgium for many decades and the correct identification of the only previous find is doubtful. Moreover, the specimen in question can no longer be traced, making the bred moth from the Luxembourg province the first verifiable observation from Belgium. The biology of the species is discussed here as well as its currently known distribution in Europe. Another Tortricidae, Archips podana (Scopoli, 1763), was also found on mistletoe; this species is also discussed as well as a parasitic wasp that parasitises the caterpillar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important records of new species for the Belgian fauna are given. The new species for the Belgian fauna are: 1. Alucita desmodactyla Zeller, 1847 (Alucitidae), 1 specimen at Bomal (LX) on 16.vii.2022, détermination by gen. det. and confirmed by Imre Fazekas. 2. Hypatopa segnella (Zeller, 1873) (Blastobasidae), 1 specimen at Nismes (NA) on 09.vii.2022. 3. Coleophora curictae Baldizzone, 2016 (Coleophoridae), 4 specimens at Lamorteau (LX) on 29.vi.2019, détermination by DNAresearch. 4. Coleophora partitella Zeller, 1849 (Coleophoridae), 1 specimen at Torgny (LX) on 27.vi.2021 confirmation by gen. det. 5. Chrysocrambus linetella (Fabricius, 1781) (Crambidae), 1 specimen at Torgny (LX) on 27.vi.2021, confirmation by gen. det. 6. Dolicharthria punctalis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Crambidae), 1 specimen at Torgny (LX) on 27.vi.2021, 1 specimen at Athus (LX) on 24.vii.2021 and 1 specimen at Torgny (LX) on 25.vi.2022. 7. Agonopterix astrantiae (Heinemann, 1870) (Depressariidae), 1 specimen at Lamorteau (LX) on 01.viii.2020, confirmation by gen. det. and 1 specimen at Virton (LX) on 06.viii.2020, détermination by gen. det. and confirmation by DNA-research. 8. Elachista pomerana Frey, 1870 (Elachistidae), 1 specimen at Kinrooi (LI) on 13.vi.2020, détermination by gen. det. and confirmation by DNA-research. 9. Elachista berndtiella Traugott-Olsen, 1985 (Elachistidae), 2 specimens at Furfooz (NA) on 04.ix.2022, détermination by gen. det. and confirmed by Lauri Kaila. 10. Elachista elsaella Traugott-Olsen, 1988 (Elachistidae), 1 specimen at Nismes (NA) on 21.v.1982, détermination by gen. det. and confirmed by Lauri Kaila. 11. Elachista occidentalis Frey, 1882 (Elachistidae), 1 specimen at Lamorteau (LX) on 06.vii.2019 and 1 specimen at Torgny (LX) on 27.vi.2021, détermination by gen. det. and confirmation by DNA-research. 12. Stigmella svenssoni (Johansson, 1971) (Nepticulidae), 1 specimen at De Panne (WV) on 21.viii.2021, détermination by gen. det. and confirmation by DNA-research. 13. Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Notodontidae), 1 specimen at Arlon (LX) on 31.vii.2021. 14. Reisseronia tarnierella (Bruand, 1850) (Psychidae), 2 specimens at Stockay (LG) on 24.iv.2021, confirmation by gen. det. 15. Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke, 1832) (Pyralidae), 1 specimen at Koksijde (WV) on 22.viii.2021. 16. Tenaga rhenania (Petersen, 1962) (Tineidae), 7 specimens at Aywaille (LG) on 21.vi.2020, confirmation by genitalia morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New province records and interesting observations of Lepidoptera in 2022 are mentioned. The whole list is arranged in alphabetical order. Systematics and nomenclature follow the Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium (De Prins & Steeman 2022). Several new species to the Belgian fauna are mentioned: Eupithecia ultimara Boisduval, 1840, Gelechia cuneatella Douglas, 1852 and Pammene herrichiana (Heinemann, 1854). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On August 1, 2019, the first specimen of Hellula undalis (Fabricius, 1781) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (old world webworm) for Belgium was photographed in Muizen (Province Antwerp), leg. G. Verbeylen. Further observations were not made until 2022, when three observations were suddenly made in that year; these are discussed along with crop damage and biology. This species is mentioned here for the first time for the Belgian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectoedemia heringella (Mariani, 1939) and Stigmella suberivora (Stainton, 1869) (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae) were recorded as new for Belgium from the Belgian coast. Six leafmines, some of which still contained living caterpillars of Ectoedemia heringella were collected on 27.xii.2018 in Oostduinkerke (West Flanders). On 25.x.2020, 27 abandoned mines and one dead larva of Stigmella suberivora were found in Knokke-Heist (West Flanders). The identification was confirmed by DNA barcodes. The biology and distribution of both species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2022, an adult of Stomopteryx flavipalpella (Jäckh, 1959) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was found in a light trap in Genk (Belgium, Limburg). This species is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In autumn 2021 several caterpillars, exuviae, and feeding signs of Synanthedon theryi Le Cerf, 1916 (Sesiidae) were found in the bark and trunks of big Tamarix gallica L. and T. tetrandra Pall. ex M.Bieb. (Tamaricaceae) trees on the northern French coast and on the Belgian coast. This article concerns the first Belgian observations of this clearwing moth and the Northernmost record from Europe. These observations are described in detail, as well as the biology of this species. In 2022 this species was also observed in Sardinia for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 11 November 2021 in Lokeren in the province of East Flanders, the first specimen of Borkhausenia nefrax Hodges, 1974 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) for Belgium was identified on external characteristics. Its distribution, biology, and characteristics are discussed. This species is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 18 June 2022, the first specimen of Bohemannia auriciliella (De Joannis, 1908) (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae) (golden-fringed pigmy) for Belgium was photographed at Ten Aard in the province of Antwerp. Its biology, characteristics and distribution are briefly discussed. This species is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On September 21, 2022, the first specimen of Scythris sinensis (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Scythrididae) for Belgium was photographed in Ruisbroek in the Province of Antwerp. Hostplants are Chenopodium album L. (white goosefoot) and Atriplex patula L. (spear saltbush) (Amaranthaceae). This species is mentioned here for the first time for the Belgian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2021, six pheromone traps were hung in the south of the Province of Luxembourg to check for the presence of Paranthrene insolitus Le Cerf, 1914. The species was found in four of the six traps. The bionomics of the species are discussed here, as well as the currently known distribution in Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity in the Nature Reserve ‘Holzwarche’ in Rocherath is discussed and the important reports of rare and new species for the Belgian fauna are communicated. The new species for Belgium are Epermenia aequidentellus (E. Hofmann, 1867), 1 ex. at Rocherath (LG) on 09.viii.2019, confirmed by genitalia determination and by DNA research, Ochromolopis ictella (Hübner, 1813), 1 ex. at Rocherath (LG) on 13.vii.2018 and Bryotropha boreella (Douglas, 1851), 1 ex. at Arlon (LX) on 17.vi.2017, 1 ex. at Rocherath (LG) on 23.vii.2020 with further specimens at Rocherath (LG) on 08.viii.2020 confirmed by determination of genitalia morphology and by DNA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 8 August 2020 3 male specimens of Elachista stabilella (Stainton, 1851) (Elachistidae) were trapped at light in Zwin, Knokke (West Flanders), leg. Stijn Baeten, Dan Slootmaekers, Regis Nossent, Eef Thoen and Joris Elst. On 20 September 2020, another specimen was collected and photographed in the Heurnemeersen at Oudenaarde (East Flanders), leg. Davy De Groote. These are the first records of this species for the Belgian fauna. Information about its biology and distribution in Europe is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On May 24, 2022, the first specimen of Digitivalva perlepidella (Stainton, 1849) (Lepidoptera: Glyphipterigidae) for Belgium was photographed at Merelbeke in the province of East Flanders. The host plant is Pentanema conyzae (Griess.) D.Gut.Larr., Santos-Vicente, Anderb., E.Rico & M.M.Mart.Ort. (ploughman’s spikenard) (Asteraceae). This Lepidoptera species is mentioned here for the first time for the Belgian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On October 29, 2022, Eudonia angustea (Curtis, 1827) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (narrow-winged grey) was recognized for the first time in a photo on observations.be. We thought this was the first example for Belgium, but on checking old photos in observations.be it transpired that the species had been observed before but not recognized. The very first sighting of this species occurred on September 10, 2016 in Ostend (West Flanders). This species is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 31.i.1988, two specimens of Poecilocrypticus formicophilus Gebien, 1928 (Tenebrionidae) were discovered in Warsage (Liège) in dry mushrooms on an old oak stump. This little darkling beetle is indigenous to South America and it is reported since 1978, as a species introduced to North America. It is usually found in or around nests of fire ants (Solenopsis sp.). It is the first observation of this species in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]