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During a study on soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) and their natural enemies in Serbia, the parasitoid Coccophagus shillongensis Hayat and Singh 1989 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), a new species for Serbia, was recorded. Originates from India, from where it was incidentally introduced to Europe and first recorded for in Greece in 2017. Since then, there are no other data on this parasitoid. During our research in 2016–2018, the species was registered in the area of Belgrade at eight localities. It was eclosed from six species of soft scales, five of which were new hosts. In addition to adult females, it also parasitizes instar nymphs, which was not known until now. The finding of males of this species in Serbia represents the first record outside India.

During autumn 2018 and 2019, presence of numerous Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae on cultivated and ornamental plants was recorded in Zemun area, both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, larvae were registered on Solanum lycopersicum L., Capparis spinosa L., Amaryllis paradisicola Snijman, Hosta sp., Ipomea sp., Canna indica L., Convolvulus tricolor L., Achimenes erecta (Lam.) H. P. Fuchs and Pelargonium x domesticum. Indoors, larvae were registered on the following vegetables, Brassica oleracea L. and Capsicum annuum L., and on ornamental plants Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst, Pelargonium x domesticum and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. On infested plants, larvae mostly fed on leaves, rarely on flowers, causing perforation of the leaf surface and reduction of the photosynthetic area. In case of high infestation level, feeding of the larvae led to complete defoliation which resulted in decay of plants. Considering the fact that this particular species was fairly unknown to the public and had small populations until a few years ago, and due to the recent records of severe damages caused by larvae, it is necessary to point out the potential threat of this species represents in Serbia. Tokom jeseni 2018. i 2019. godine, na području Zemuna, na otvorenom polju i u zaštićenom prostoru, na većem broju gajenih i ukrasnih biljaka, utvrđeno je prisustvo brojnih gusenica Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Na otvorenom polju, od gajenih biljaka gusenice su naseljavale paradajz (Solanum lycopersicum L.), od začinskih, kapar (Capparis spinosa L.), a od ukrasnih, amarilis (Amaryllis paradisicola Snijman), hostu (Hosta sp.), ipomeu (Ipomea sp.), kanu (Canna indica L.), ladolež (Convolvulus tricolor L.), magični cvet (Achimenes erecta (Lam.) H. P. Fuchs) i muškatlu (Pelargonium x domesticum). U zaštićenom prostoru, registrovane su na gajenim biljkama kupusa (Brassica oleracea L.) i paprike (Capsicum annuum L.), kao i na ukrasnim biljkama kohlerije (Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst.), muškatle i ukrasnog hibiskusa (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). Na napadnutim biljkama, gusenice su se hranile uglavnom listovima, ređe cvetovima, praveći manje ili veće izgrizine a pri jačem napadu su prouzrokovale golobrst, što je imalo za posledicu propadanje biljaka. Imajući u vidu da je ova vrsta u Srbiji do sada bila malobrojna i nepoznata široj javnosti a da su u skorije vreme ispoljena značajnija oštećenja na većem broju gajenih i ukrasnih biljaka, potrebno je ukazati na potencijalnu opasnost od ove štetočine u našoj zemlji.

Choreutis nemorana (Hübner, 1799), the fig-tree skeletonizer moth, is a widespread species in the Mediterranean region, which has rapidly expanded its distribution area northwards and eastwards during the last 15 years. This paper reports the localities in Serbia where the C. nemorana was recorded during 2019-2020, literature data and own observations on its developmental stages, morphological characteristics, biology and symptoms of damage in the figs.

Small spruce bud scale, Physokermes hemicryphus (Dalman) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is a Holarctic, oligophagous species developing on plants of the genera Picea and Abies (Pinaceae). It is a serious pest of Picea abies in Serbia, which causes drying and falling of needles, branches and even drying of entire plants. A study of the bionomy of Ph. hemicryphus was carried out at five locations in Serbia in 2016 and 2017. Ph. hemicryphus was found to develop one generation annually and to overwinter as second-instar larvae on spruce branches. Adults emerge at the beginning of April and oviposition takes place at the beginning of May. Larvae hatch in the second half of May; during summer they feed on spruce needles and moult into second-instar larvae in September. Scale populations are controlled by a number of natural enemies. Five species of parasitoid wasps were reared: Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Metaphycus unicolor Hoffer, Microterys lunatus (Dalman), Pseudorhopus testaceus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Pachyneuron muscarum (L.) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), as well as five predatory species: Anthribus nebulosus Forster (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Exochomus quadripustulatus L., Scymnus abietis Paykull, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The most efficient parasitoid of Ph. hemicryphus was P. testaceus, reducing scale populations up to 28.97%, while the most efficient predator was A. nebulosus with an efficacy of up to 51.72%. Physokermes hemicryphus (Dalman) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), mala smrčina štitasta vaš, je holarktička, oligofagna vrsta koja se razvija na biljkama iz rodova Picea i Abies (Pinaceae). Na napadnutim biljkama vaš obrazuje brojne kolonije prouzrokujući fiziološko slabljenje, sušenje i opadanje četina, grana, pa čak i cele biljke. Zbog obilnog lučenja medne rose, na koju se naseljavaju gljive čađavice, procesi fotosinteze i transpiracije su smanjeni, kao i estetska vrednost biljaka, zbog čega Ph. hemicryphus predstavlja značajnu štetočinu smrče. Proučavanje bionomije Ph. hemicryphus obavljeno je tokom 2016. i 2017. godine, na pet lokaliteta na teritoriji Srbije. Utvrđeno je da Ph. hemicryphus razvija jednu generaciju godišnje i da prezimljava kao larva drugog stupnja na granama smrče. Imago se javlja početkom aprila, a ovipozicija je početkom maja. Larve se pile u drugoj polovini maja, tokom leta se hrane na četinama smrče, a u septembru obrazuju larve drugog stupnja koje prezimljavaju. Brojnost populacija ove štetočine reguliše veći broj prirodnih neprijatelja. Odgajeno je pet vrsta parazitoidnih osica: Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Metaphycus unicolor Hoffer, Microterys lunatus (Dalman), Pseudorhopus testaceus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) i Pachyneuron muscarum (L.) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), kao i pet vrsta predatora: Anthribus nebulosus Forster (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Exochomus quadripustulatus L., Scymnus abietis Paykull, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) i Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Najefikasniji parazitoid Ph. hemicryphus je P. testaceus, koji je redukovao brojnost populacija vaši do 28,97%, dok je najefikasniji predator A. nebulosus sa efikasnošću do 51,72%.

Aonidia lauri (Bouche) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a serious pest of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) in urban parts of the City of Podgorica (Montenegro). Severe infestation causes chlorotic spots and necrotic rings around feeding spots, drying and dieback of leaves and buds. In addition, plants become physiologically weak and lose in aesthetic quality, while continuous infestation in urban areas often leads to partial or complete drying of plants. This study of the biology of A. lauri on L. nobilis was carried out at three locations in Podgorica ('Stara Varoš', 'Centar' and 'Preko Morače'), Montenegro, in 2010 and 2011. A. lauri developed three generations annually and overwintered on laurel leaves and branches as the second-instar nymph-larval stage. An extended period of larval development ensures a continuous presence of all development stages on plants, which leads to overlapping of generations. Sporadic predatory ladybirds, Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), whose larvae and adults feed on scales, were detected inside A. lauri colonies. Aonidia lauri (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) je na području Podgorice veoma opasna štetočina lovora (Laurus nobilis L.). Visok stepen infestacije biljaka izaziva pojavu hlorotičníh pega i nekrotičnih polja oko mesta ishrane, sušenja lišća i pupoljaka. Pored toga, biljke fiziološki slabe, gube estetsku vrednost, a kontinuirani napad u gradskim uslovima često dovodi do njihovog delimičnig ili potpunog sušenja. U više lokacija na teritoriji Podgorice, na uzorkovanim biljkama lovora intenzitet napada je ocenjen sa 4, odnosno svi delovi biljke su bili naseljeni brojnim jedinkama koje su formirale guste kolonije. Biologija i štetnost Aonidia lauri proučavana je u 2010. i 2011. godini, na L. nobilis. Utvrđeno je da vrsta ima tri generacije godišnje i da prezimljava u drugom larvenom stupnju na listovima i granama lovora. Imaga prve generacije registrovana su krajem marta i početkom aprila, druge generacije krajem juna i početkom jula i treće, tokom septembra. A. lauri je viviparna vrsta. Razvučen period pojave larvi obezbeđuje stalno prisustvo svih razvojnih stadijuma na biljkama, što dovodi do preklapanja generacija. U kolonijama A. lauri, registrovani su pojedinačni primerci predatorske bubamare Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) (Coccinellidae) čiji su se larve i imaga hranili vašima.

Our research of the genus Ceutorhynchus associated with oilseed rape was conducted in northern parts of Serbia (Stari Žednik, Subotica). A specific assemblage of eight weevil species was found. The most numerous were stem weevils Ceutorhynchus napi with 81% of all trapped specimens, followed by C. pallidactylus with 18%. The remaining six weevil specimens were C. obstrictus, C.erysimi, C. minutus, C. picitarsis, C. sulcicollis and C. typhae, comprising 1% of all trapped insects. Stem weevils C. napi and C. pallidactylus began to immigrate into the oilseed rape fields in autumn, as early as November 10 (BBCH 17-18). The maximum flight was recorded at the beginning of oilseed rape stem elongation (BBCH 22-25) on March 23. A new generation of C. pallidactylus emerged from oilseed rape fields in June (BBCH 76-88), while individual specimens occurred during the autumn. The majority of C. napi emerged in March next year, sporadically until May 7. As a consequence of C. napi dominance insecticide treatment should be performed earlier than usual, i.e. when C. pallidactilus is the primary target. Istraživanje rilaša roda Ceutorhynchus koji se nalaze na uljanoj repici je bilo na severu Srbije. Našli smo specifičan skup od osam vrsta rilaša koji se sastojao od dominantne vrste veliki repičin rilaš, Ceutorhynchus napi, koji je imao učešće od 81% od ukupno sakupljenih jedinki i od subdominantnog rilaša C. pallidactylus sa učešćem od 18%. Preostalih šest vrsta rilaša je sadržao 1% ukupnog broja i to su bile vrste: C. obstrictus, C. erysimi, C. minutus, C. picitarsis, C. sulcicollis i C. typhae. Obe najbrojnije vrste, C. napi and C. pallidactylus, su rilaši stabla uljane repice i počinju da naseljavaju repicu već u jesen, počevši od 10. novembra (BBCH 17-18). Maksimalni let je registrovan 23. marta na početku izduživanja stabla (BBCH 22-25). Nova generacija C. pallidactylus eklodira tokom juna sa polja uljane repice (BBCH 76-88), ali se pojedinačni primerci pojavljuju i tokom jeseni. Većina odraslih C. napi eklodira naredne godine u martu, a sporadično sve do 7. maja. Posledica dominantnosti C. napi je potreba ranije primene insekticida nego kada je C. pallidactillus glavna meta.

The Brassica pod midge (Dasineura brassicae Winn.) is an important pest in oilseed rape (Brasica napus L.). It develops two generations per year and overwinters in the larval stage in cocoons in soil. Immigration of the first generation adults lasted from the beginning of April until the end of May. Larvae developed in pods from mid-April to mid-June, causing pod deformation and cracking, which resulted in premature falling out of seeds and yield reduction. Pod damage amounted to 11.6%. The emergence of the second generation adults was detected at the end of May and in the first ten days of June. D. brassicae was found to lay eggs in healthy pods and no correlation was found with the cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis Paykull. Mušica kupusne ljuske, D. brassicae (Winn.) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), je značajna štetočina uljane repice (Brasica napus L.). Tokom 2011. godine, na uljanoj repici, na lokalitetu Stari Žednik, kao i 2011/12. godine, na ozimoj pšenici koja je u plodoredu sa uljanom repicom, praćena je biologija i štetnost ove vrste. U toku godine D. brassicae razvija dve generacije, a prezimljava kao larva u kokonu u zemljištu. Imigracija imaga prve generacije je dosta razvučena i traje od početka aprila do kraja maja. Dug period imigracije uslovio je prisustvo larvi u ljuskama od sredine aprila do sredine juna. Infestirane mahune se deformišu i pucaju, semenke ispadaju, što ima za posledicu smanjenje prinosa uljane repice. Oštećenost ljuski iznosi 11,6%. Eklozija imaga druge generacije je registrovana krajem maja i u prvoj dekadi juna. Tokom istraživanja utvrđeno je D. brassicae polaže jaja u zdrave mahune i da nema korelacije sa Ceutorhynchus assimilis Payk.

During two years of research on the epigeic fauna in agroecosystems of northern Serbia, which was conducted as a part of SEE-ERA NET PLUS project no. 51, 5488 spider specimens were collected at three fields with oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera), turnip rape (Brassica rapa x chinensis) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) as subsequent crop at Stari Žednik (Vojvodina). A total of 62 species from 15 families were identified. Pardosa agrestis and Xysticus kochi were the dominant species in the studied fields. Spider families with significant presence were Lycosidae, Linyphiidae, Thomisidae, Gnaphosidae, Theridiidae and Philodromidae. Seven species are new to the spider fauna of Serbia. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

Spruce bud scale, Physokermes piceae, develops on the genus Picea. Large colonies of this species are constantly present on Picea abies in green areas in the Belgrade territory, causing the drying of needles, branches and whole plants. Therefore, Ph. piceae is a significant spruce pest. Spruce scales attract many entomophagous insects able to reduce pest population. Parasitoid wasps Coccophagus lycimnia (Walk) (Aphelinidae) and Microterys lunatus (Dalm.) (Encyrtidae) were reared. Predators Exochomus quadripustulatus L., Scymnus abietis Paykull (Coccinellidae) and Anthribus nebulosus Forster (Anthribidae) were determined. Both species of ladybird were confirmed as predators of Ph. piceae for the first time in Serbia, while S. abietis is a new species for the fauna of Serbia. The most effective natural enemy of Ph. piceae was A. nebulosus, reducing populations by 68-80%.

Unaspis euonymi (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) is a very dangerous pest of Euonymus spp. Numerous scale colonies and a high level of plant infestation provoke drying of leaves, branches and whole plants. As a result these plants have been less and less used in urban environment in the last few years. The biology and harmfulness of U. euonymi were studied on Euonymus plant, in several locations in the territory of Belgrade during 2004 and 2005. The species has three generations and over winters as mature female on trunks and branches of Euonymus. Due to a prolonged oviposition period, the generations are overlapping so that all developmental stages are continually present on plants. The level of infestation was examined on three plant species, Euonymus japonica, E. europea and E. fortunei, and E. japonica was the most frequently attacked plant was. Unaspis euonymi (Comstock) (Homoptera:Diaspididae) je na području Beograda veoma opasna štetočina kurike, tj. biljaka iz roda Euonymus. Brojne kolonije vaši i visok stepen infestacije biljaka dovode do zastoja u porastu, sušenja lišća, pupoljaka, grana i celih biljaka, zbog čega se poslednjih godina Euonymus spp. sve manje koristi u ozelenjavanju urbanih površina. U više lokacija na teritoriji Beograda, biologija i štetnost U. euonymi proučavana je u 2004. i 2005. godini, na biljkama iz roda Euonymus. Utvrđeno je da vrsta ima tri generacije godišnje i da prezimljava u stadijumu polno zrele ženke na stablu i granama kurike. Razvučen period ovipozicije obezbeđuje stalno prisustvo svih razvojnih stadijuma što dovodi do preklapanja generacija. Praćenjem intenziteta napada na tri biljne vrste, Euonymus japonica, E. europea i E. fortunei, najjači napad je zabeležen na E. japonica, koja je najčešće zastupljena dekorativna biljka u urbanoj sredini.