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New adventive species for the Novosibirsk Region are reported: Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., Galium aparine L., Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sw., Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth., Lamium maculatum (L.) L., Lysimachia verticillaris Spreng., Malva moschata L., Phalaris canariensis L., Viscaria vulgaris Röhl. New localities of rare adventive species Alcea rosea L., Berberis vulgaris L., Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch., Scutellaria altissima L., Sedum acre L., Thladiantha dubia Bunge were noted. For each species, its range is given, the distribution in the regions of Siberia is indicated., Сообщается о новых для Новосибирской области адвентивных видах: Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., Galiumaparine L., Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sw., Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth., Lamium maculatum (L.) L., Lysimachia verticillaris Spreng., Malva moschata L., Phalaris canariensis L., Viscaria vulgaris Röhl. Отмечены новыеместонахождения редко встречающихся видов: Alcea rosea L., Berberis vulgaris L., Parthenocissus quinquefolia(L.) Planch., Scutellaria altissima L., Sedum acre L., Thladiantha dubia Bunge. Для каждого вида приводится его ареал, указывается распространение по регионам Сибири.

The article contains new information about the locations of rare and spreading species of flowering plants in Western Siberia and Southern Ural (Kurgan Region, Chelyabinsk Region, Tomsk Region, and Republic of Altai). Among them, four species (Bidens frondosa L., Lappula intermedia (Ledeb.) Popov, Melica altissima L., Verbascum lychnitis L.) are reported as new for the Tomsk Region, three species (Aquilegia vulgaris L., Dianthus barbatus L., Lepidium sativumL.) are new for Republic of Altai, two species (Hibiscus trionum L., Solanum physalifolium Rusby) are new for the Chelyabinsk Region. For seven more species (Achillea ptarmica L., Chaenorhinum minus (L.) Lange, Chenopodium acerifolium Andrz., Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen., Impatiens parviflora DC., Najas major All., Oberna cserei(Baumg.) Ikonn.) new locations are cited., В статье приведены новые сведения о местонахождениях в разных районах Западной Сибири и Южного Урала (Курганская область, Челябинская область, Томская область, Республика Алтай) редких и расселяющихся видов цветковых растений. В том числе 4 вида (Bidens frondosa L., Lappula intermedia (Ledeb.) Popov, Melica altissima L., Verbascum lychnitis L.) – новые для Томской области, 3 вида (Aquilegia vulgaris L., Dianthus barbatus L., Lepidium sativum L.) – новые для Республики Алтай, 2 вида (Hibiscus trionum L., Solanum physalifoliumRusby) – новые для Челябинской области. Еще для 7 видов (Achillea ptarmica L., Chaenorhinum minus (L.) Lange, Chenopodium acerifoliumAndrz., Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen., Impatiens parviflora DC., Najas major All., Oberna cserei (Baumg.) Ikonn.) указаны новыеместонахождения.

The univoltine leaf beetle Chrysolina fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) is native to in the Palearctic Region from eastern Siberia to western Europe.First North American records are presented for C. fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), as confirmed by vouchered specimens from Canada: Nova Scotia. Additional citizen science records from USA: Vermont are also discussed. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish C. fastuosa from other North American Chrysomelidae and a species distribution model to assess its potential spread in North America is presented. This insect is expected to cause some feeding damage to above-ground parts of ornamental and invasive Lamiaceae, especially species of Galeopsis L. The species distribution model and the range of its host plant Galeopsis tetrahit, suggest the north-eastern US and south-eastern Canada, from the Atlantic coast to the west end of Lake Superior provide the most suitable conditions for this species. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 70 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae.

In the past decade, several platygastroid biological control agents were found to be adventive in North America and Europe while under evaluation in quarantine. The scope and relative risk of this phenomenon is not fully known, but it is clearly a trend with implications for classical biological control. As a means of assessing the issue, and providing a global baseline, we implemented a data-mining approach with DNA sequences in the Barcode of Life Database, which yielded 201 platygastroid BINs with intercontinental and island distributions. At least fifty-five BINs displayed exact COI barcode matches across continents, with many more BINs being inconclusive due to sequence length variation. These intercontinental and island BINs include biocontrol agents known to be adventive and many species identified only to genus. We provide 2,500 identifications for platygastroid BOLD BINs, 88% to genus, to encourage additional research on this distributional phenomenon. The intercontinental BOLD BINs were compared to literature records and GBIF occurrences of cosmopolitan species to identify gaps and discordance across data sources. A small COI barcode dataset from localities in Florida and Germany, including topotypical specimens, revealed more intercontinental matches. To assess the scale of intercontinental distributions for host taxa, and to examine the scale for a broader range of taxa, we analyzed COI sequences in BOLD for the entirety of Insecta. The discovery that adventive parasitoids are following their invasive hosts has important implications for biosecurity and biological control and may lead to an increased emphasis on early detection.

This paper presents the chromosome numbers (2n) for 13 alien species (from the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Solanaceae) in the Novosibirsk Region. For Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. (2n = 22) and Sisymbrium altissimum L. (2n = 14), chromosome numbers were determined for the first time on the material from Russia; for Betonica officinalis L. (2n = 16) – from Asian Russia; for Stachys annua (L.) L. (2n = 34) – from West Siberia. Chromosome numbers on the material from the Novosibirsk Region were revealed for the first time for Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. (2n = 24), Inula helenium L. (2n = 20), Sonchus oleraceus L. (2n = 18), Medicago sativa subsp. varia(Martyn) Arcang. (2n = 32), Rumex obtusifolius L. (2n = 20) and Solanum nigrum L. (2n = 48). For all the species studied, brief notes on their general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region are provided, along with literature data on chromosome numbers from other regions of Russia., Приводятся числа хромосом (2n) для 13 адвентивных видов из семейств Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Solanaceae на материале из Новосибирской области. Впервые для России приводится число хромосом для Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. (2n = 22), Sisymbrium altissimum L. (2n = 14), для Азиатской части России – Betonica officinalis L. (2n = 16), для Западной Сибири – Stachys annua (L.) L. (2n = 34), для Новосибирской области – Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. (2n = 24), Inula helenium L. (2n = 20), Sonchus oleraceus L. (2n = 18), Medicago sativa subsp. varia (Martyn) Arcang. (2n = 32), Rumex obtusifolius L. (2n = 20), Solanum nigrum L. (2n = 48). Для всех исследованных видов приводятся краткие сведения по общему распространению и расселению в Новосибирской области, литературные данные по числам хромосом с территории России.

There were found 2 new species in the Tyumen Region. Localities of Leuzea repens (L.) D. J. N. Hind were found during inventory of herbarium collections of the Institute of Biology of the Tyumen State University, Atoction armeria(L.) Raf. – during field research in 2021 year. There were given labels for each taxon, habitat information and distribution in Russia., Приводятся сведения о находках двух новых для флоры Тюменской области видов растений. Местонахождения Leuzea repens (L.) D. J. N. Hind выявлены при инвентаризации гербарных фондов Института биологии Тюменского государственного университета, Atoction armeria(L.) Raf. – в ходе полевых исследований 2021 года. Для каждого вида приведены данные этикеток, сведения об ареале и распространении на территории России.

Thirty species of Curculionoidea (28 Curculionidae and one each of Brentidae and Nemonychidae) are reported as new records from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, most of them from the island of Newfoundland. As well, 13 species of Curculionidae and one of Brentidae previously recorded from Newfoundland are newly reported from Labrador, and one Curculionidae previously recorded from Labrador is newly reported from Newfoundland. The Palearctic species, Orthochaetes setiger ([Beck]), is herein reported as a new Canadian and North American record, with specimens documented from Newfoundland and British Columbia. Additions to the primary key for North American weevils are provided to help identify this genus among the North American fauna. Of the species of Curculionoidea previously recorded from the province in published literature, there is uncertain evidence for the occurrence of 14 species in the province as a whole or in the Labrador portion. Seven species are hereby removed from the faunal list for the province. One of those, Trachodes hispidus (Linnaeus), is also removed from the Canadian faunal list. The 134 species of Curculionoidea recorded from NL are listed and a brief synopsis of the fauna provided.

Morphological boundaries between South American species of Euphrasia L. are controversial, rendering determination of specimens an arduous task. In this context, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Euphrasia in South America is here provided for the first time. This study, based upon a classical morphological study of ca. 400 herbarium specimens, supports the recognition of eight species and one subspecies distributed in the Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. From among native species, six belong to section Trifidae Benth. and one to the monotypic section Paradoxae Pugsley, endemic to Juan Fernández Islands; one adventive species, E. officinalis L., belongs to the section Euphrasia. The previously misunderstood presence of E. cockayniana Petrie is here untangled, and, consequently, the species is excluded from South America. A key to all Euphrasia taxa in South America, plus morphological descriptions, nomenclature items, geographical distribution and maps, habitat notes, illustrations, photographs, and discussion notes are included for the nine taxa. Eleven names are here synonymized, and lectotypes are designated for E. andicola Benth., E. debilis Wettst., E. flavicans Phil., E. intricata Phil., and E. philippii Wettst. Euphrasia andicola is reported for the first time for Argentina. This collaborative effort will represent a baseline for further investigations on Euphrasia in South America.

Information on the record of Phyllactinia moricola, a new in Ukraine alien powdery mildew fungus, is reported. The teleomorph of the fungus was collected in October–December 2020 on Morus alba in Odesa. The description and illustrations of the studied material are provided. The disease caused by this species can significantly reduce the ornamental properties of mulberry, a popular plant that is often used in greenery in the settlements of Ukraine. It is noted that the fungus can spread to Southern Europe, where it may cause significant damage to horticulture and silk production.

First North American records are presented for Cryptocephalus moraei (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cryptocephalinae) and Psylliodes dulcamarae (Koch, 1803) (Coleoptera: Galerucinae: Alticini), as confirmed by morphology and DNA barcoding. Additional information is presented about phenology and host use for C. moraei, the first European Cryptocephalinae to be found elsewhere as conclusively adventive. Cryptocephalus moraei is expected to have no ecological impact on its host, the adventive Hypericum perforatum Linnaeus (Hypericaceae). However, P. dulcamarae, the second recently discovered flea beetle associated with the adventive Solanum dulcamara Linnaeus (Solanaceae), probably does harm that host. Both species are hypothesised to have arrived from Europe with woody plant material imported with soil during 1960–1965. A literature review of introduced Chrysomelidae found that Canada and the United States of America are together home to 68–78 species of adventive Chrysomelidae. All non-Bruchinae species among these are both native to Europe and occur either in Canada or both Canada and United States of America, except for intentionally introduced biological control agents and two species that feed on Eucalyptus L’Héritier de Brutelle (Myrtaceae). This suggests a dominant role of accidental introductions of cool-climate European species in recent unplanned additions to the fauna of leaf-feeding Chrysomelidae in North America.

Following the introduction of cattle, exotic dung beetles (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae) were imported into the Antipodes (Australia and New Zealand) and North America (primarily the United States) to accelerate the degradation of cattle dung on pastures. The history of dung beetle introductions between the two regions is similar but has not previously been assessed: this is important as new introductions are continuing in the regions. Here, we review these introduction programs, report on their current status, and discuss methodological advances. In doing so, we examine the accidental introduction of exotic (i.e., adventive) species and the contribution of both deliberately introduced and adventive species to endemic dung beetle faunas. Further, we provide a list of pest and parasite species whose populations can be reduced by dung beetle activity. We also identify a combined total of 37 introduced and 47 adventive dung beetle species that have become established in the Antipodes and North America, with exotic species dominating dung beetle assemblages from pasture habitats. Climatic and edaphic matches, the size of founding populations, abiotic and biotic stressors, and the time of year when releases are made are all critical determinants that affect the success of dung beetle introduction programs. Finally, we discuss opportunities, plus the risks and challenges associated with dung beetle introductions. We hope that this review will aid in the success of future introduction programs, either to enhance ecosystem services in areas that they are needed, or potentially to reestablish native species in regions where they have been extirpated.

Information is given about the finding of Hieracium pilosella L. in the Issyk River valley on the northern slope of the Zailiysky Alatau ridge. The habitat of the species, the composition of the plant community with its participation are described, the data on the population density of the species, the ratio of generative and vegetative individuals are provided. The appearance of this adventive species in the immediate vicinity of Almaty in the last decade is most likely due to the increasing recreational load on this territory.

Phymastichus coffea LaSalle (Hymenoptera:Eulophidae) is an adult endoparasitoid of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae:Scolytinae), which has been introduced in many coffee producing countries as a biological control agent. To determine the effectiveness of P. coffea against H. hampei and environmental safety for release in Hawaii, we investigated the host selection and parasitism response of adult females to 43 different species of Coleoptera, including 23 Scolytinae (six Hypothenemus species and 17 others), and four additional Curculionidae. Non-target testing included Hawaiian endemic, exotic and beneficial coleopteran species. Using a no-choice laboratory bioassay, we demonstrated that P. coffea was only able to parasitize the target host H. hampei and four other adventive species of Hypothenemus: H. obscurus, H. seriatus, H. birmanus and H. crudiae. Hypothenemus hampei had the highest parasitism rate and shortest parasitoid development time of the five parasitized Hypothenemus spp. Parasitism and parasitoid emergence decreased with decreasing phylogenetic relatedness of the Hypothenemus spp. to H. hampei, and the most distantly related species, H. eruditus, was not parasitized. These results suggest that the risk of harmful non-target impacts is low because there are no native species of Hypothenemus in Hawaii, and P. coffea could be safely introduced for classical biological control of H. hampei in Hawaii.

Changes in forest cover in the center of the East European Plain (Central Russian Upland) from the end of the 19th century to the end of 20th century have been assessed. Over that period, forest cover has increased in the northern part of the studied territory and declined in the southern part. After the end of the 1990s and beginning of 2000s, increases in forest cover occurred within the subzones of mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forest, while in the southern regions it has hardly manifested at all. The fallow land overgrowth rate, without any anthropogenic interference, has been determined for the Central Russian Upland (from 10 to 50% of fallow area has been covered by forest vegetation over a period of 10 years), decreasing gradually in from west-northwest to east-southeast. Special attention is paid to the forests that grew on nonforested lands over a period of 150 years. This process occurs everywhere in the northern part of the Upland and along the river valleys in the southern part. The forest structure of newly formed forests is studied as well (deciduous, mixed, pine, and spruce). In the southern parts of the Central Russian Upland, the newly grown forests are mostly pine plantations. The analysis of the field data suggests that, in the Central Russian Upland, within the broadleaved forests subzone, fallows are usually overgrown with birch (Betula pendula), or, less frequently, with aspen (Populus tremula). On the western and southwestern slopes, the overgrowth occurs with broadleaved (Querqus robur and Acer platanoides), small-leaved (Populus tremula), and steppe species (Prunus spinosa, Malus praecox, and Pyrus pyraster). In the south, overgrown fallows are dominated by steppe or adventive species (Acer negundo).

Biological pollution of natural phytocenoses by adventive plant species poses is a serious threat to endemic species and species with narrower ecological amplitude in ecosystems around the world. This study presents the results of a study of the composition and distribution of adventive plant species in natural, semi-natural and anthropogenic transformed phytocenoses of Volyn’ Polissya, Ukraine. To clarify the effect of drainage melioration on non-native flora species distribution, a botanical study was carried out during the 2003–2019 vegetation seasons on the territory of four drainage systems. The adventive flora of this unique region of Europe was studied in detail for the first time. In total, 279 non-native plant species were found. They belong to 110 genera and 32 families. The results of studying the systematic, bioecological, range-distributional and phytogenetic structure of adventive species found within agricultural lands and adjacent territories are presented. It was found that 161 species are associated with agricultural production. Of these, 90 species were found directly within the agricultural land, another 71 species were found growing in the adjacent territories. It was found that a significant increase in the number of adventive species on the territory of Volyn’ Polissya is associated with drainage melioration carried out in the 1960–1990s, significant changes in the structure and forms of agro-industrial production, and climatic changes in recent decades. The expansion of agricultural land in this area over the past 50–60 years has led to an increase in the number of adventive species by more than 60%. On the territory of drainage systems used for agricultural activities, more than 40% of the total species composition of the adventive flora of Volyn’ Polissya is represented. The majority of these species originate from arid and sub arid regions of the planet. The transformer plants, Solidago canadensis L. and Phalacroloma annuum (L.) Dumort pose a potential threat to phytocenoses of the described region, as well as the whole of Europe. Of particular interest are the species that in the future may pose a serious threat to natural phyto-diversity and have negative practical consequences for the structure of agricultural landscapes. These are Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. In general, modern agro ecosystems are characterized by instability and low ability to resist non-native species. The strongly weedy character of cultivated fields and the presence of abandoned uncultivated lands have caused the rapid spread of adventive vegetation. In order to further optimize the structure of agrolandscapes, it is advisable to monitor and regulate not only expansionary invasive species, which is especially important for preventing biological pollution, but also species whose status has not yet been determined.

In the Dnipro area, Veronica arguteserrata is a new adventitious species of Asian origin from the family Plantaginaceae Juss., growing in the same ecological conditions – in shaded areas with moderate anthropogenic impact due to trampling, on loose soils and on parchment plots. The species is ephemeral: begins to grow in the second half of April, blooms in mid-May, bears fruit at the end of the same month, turns yellow in June and dies. We used 160 plants to study the morphological and ecological variability of Veronica arguteserrata. For analysis, we measured plant height, root length, length of the first and second internodes, length and width of leaf blade, number of peduncles, number of flowers, width and length of bract, corolla diameter, length and width of the fruits, number of seeds in the nest and number of fruits on the plant. The average values of all components were determined, the errors and population density, the number of individuals per 0.01 m2 were determined. Using a grid of 20 × 10 cm, divided into eight squares 5 × 5 cm, calculated the density of plants in tenfold repetition. The accuracy of density estimation, calculated as the ratio of error of the arithmetic mean to the arithmetic mean and expressed as a percentage, was 3.8–6.3%. The accuracy of assessment of other traits ranged from 2.2 to 7.5%, which is quite acceptable for field research. Analysis of the data showed that Veronica arguteserrata in the study area forms a fairly dense density of grasses, in which almost no other species are immersed. With increasing density, there is a tendency to increase the length of the first internode and reduce the area of the leaf blade, the number of peduncles, flowers and fruits on individuals. Within the parks, the plants were mowed at the end of the growing season. Probably due to mowing, as well as a slightly greater impact of trampling, the density of park populations is lower than on the highway near buildings. Synecological analysis showed that in the conditions of Dnipro area Veronica arguteserrata is a xeromesophyte, mesotroph, sciogeliophyte and ruderant. In the studied phytocenoses with increasing population of Veronica arguteserrata there is a tendency to decrease plant height, length of the second internode, length and width of the leaf blade, number of peduncles and flowers, length and width of bracts, peduncle length, corolla diameter and corolla diameter increase and box length. The highest variability was observed in the following signs from the vegetative sphere of Veronica arguteserrata plants: root length, leaf blade length, in the generative sphere: the number of flowers and of fruit on the plant. It is these features that make the largest share in the morphological variability of the studied species and determine its overall ecological and morphological plasticity. As a result of analysis of variance, the influence of population density on morphometric characteristics of plants was statistically proved. The population density has the greatest influence on the following features of the vegetative sphere: the length of the first internode and the length of the leaf blade; in the generative sphere: the diameter of the corolla and the length of the bract. Thus, the variability of these traits can be considered as a mechanism of intra-population morphological adaptations of the new adventitious species Veronica arguteserrata in the Dnipro area. The new adventitious species needs further monitoring studies to assess the level of impact on the ecosystems of Dnipro area.

The results of floristic studies on plankton in the Barents Sea performed from 2007 to 2018 are discussed in the paper. The findings of 16 species new to the indigenous flora were documented and their distribution in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters was analyzed. We also calculated statistical indicators (indices) that characterize the regularity and quantitative expression of their presence in certain sectors of the sea. The data obtained demonstrate the intensity and direction of invasion of Atlantic algal flora. The most intense and regular invasion is directed eastward from the southwestern border of the Barents Sea to its central part. No less stable, but a less intense vector of influence of Atlantic flora was found in the northwestern Barents Sea directed southward to the central and eastern parts of the sea. These processes are characterized from the historical aspect as the activation of florogenesis coincident in time and, most likely, caused by the current climatic situation in the region, mainly by the increased advection of Atlantic water. At least one adventive species has been discovered to be currently integrated into the succession system of the Barents Sea phytoplankton in the position of seasonal dominant.

Results of studying the biology of the East Asian seed beetle Megabruchidius dorsalis (Fahreus, 1839) (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in the laboratory and field conditions of Kharkiv Region are presented. Mainly the fourth instar larvae and adult beetles hibernate in beans on the ground, in beans on trees and in shelters. Overwintered beetles appear in the first decade of May and do not need maturation feeding. The beans of honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) are an important factor in stimulating the start of oviposition. The beetles start oviposition only 8‒11 days after emergence if only the seeds are proposed as a substrate, but if the beans are present, the beetles begin to mate and lay eggs in two days. Fertility of females in the laboratory is 110±40 eggs. Egg mortality under natural conditions is 50–93%. Megabruchidius dorsalis did not colonize the seeds of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.). The beetle inhabited 10–40 % of seeds of vigna (Vigna sesquipedalis Fruw) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), but the 1st instar larvae died. Most of the growing season the beetles use the seeds of Gleditsia of previous years as a fodder substrate both in the native range and in the Kharkiv Region. Only in the second half of August they inhabit the seeds of the current year's crop. In the Kharkiv Region, M. dorsalis has three generations per year like in its native range in Sagamihara (Japan). The development duration of one generation in the laboratory is 37 days at 27 oC and 41 days at 25 oC.

All 2,145 species of Coleoptera from 88 families known to occur in Mordovia State Nature Reserve, Russia, are listed, along with their author(s) and year of description using the most recent classification framework. Adventive species for European Russia are indicated. There are 31 adventive species in the reserve, comprising 1.44% of the total beetle fauna.

An Oriental species of whiteflies, Aleuroclava aucubae (Kuwana, 1911), was collected for the first time from the territory of Russia (the Black Sea Coast of Russian Caucasus, Sochi National Park). The species was found to form dense colonies of ultimolarvae (pseudopupae) on leaves of Ficus carica and Ulmus glabra. Some of the ultimolarvae were infected by the fungus Conoideocrella luteorostrata (Zimmermann, 1901) Johnson et al., 2009. A morphological description of the pseudopupa of A. aucubae, with the original figure and photos are provided.

Psix striaticeps(Dodd) is an egg-parasitoid wasp previously known only from the Old World. We report this species from twelve counties in Florida, which are the first records in the Western Hemisphere. It was collected in yellow cylinder traps and reared from the eggs of three stink bug species:Nezara viridulaL.,Chinavia marginata(Palisot de Beauvois), andPiezodorus guildinii(Westwood). A COI barcode analysis found a 100% match between the Floridian population and a specimen from South Africa. The prospects of usingPs. striaticepsas a biological control agent against exotic stink bugs are discussed.

The study was aimed to analyze the complexes of phyllophagous insect species with different ways of feeding on woody plants of certain genera. In 2017–2019, the research was carried out in street, park, and forest park plantations of Kharkiv on the material of woody plants of 13 genera: Tilia, Acer, Quercus, Ulmus, Populus, Aesculus, Robinia, Fraxinus, Betula, Sorbus, Salix, Alnus and Corylus. A total of 159 species of phyllophagous insects from 94 genera of 27 families of six orders were identified there. Representatives of Lepidoptera constitute 50.3% by the number of species, 50 and 51.9% by the number of genera and families, respectively, and Coleoptera – 35.8% of species, 28.7 and 22.2% of genera and families, respectively. The identified species of phyllophagous insects were divided into four groups based on the lifestyle and structure of the feeding apparatus of larvae: chewers, miners, galleries, and suckers. It was found that chewers and miners represent the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera, gallers – Hymenoptera and Diptera, suckers – Homoptera and Hemiptera. The suckers dominate by the number of species. The adventive species were found among the lepidopterous miners: Cameraria ohridella (Deschka & Dimic, 1986); Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens, 1859); Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963) and Parectopa robiniella (Clemens, 1863), as well as among the dipterous gallers, Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman, 1847) was revealed. More than 30 similar species of phyllophagous insects were identified at typical forest plants, the most of them at the hazel (Corylus) and oak (Quercus) – 77 and 73 species (48.4 and 45.9% of all identified species), respectively. The similarity of the complexes of chewers from leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) at plants of certain genera is less than that of lepidopterous chewers, which is due to the biological characteristics of these insects. Thus, the polyphagia of lepidopterous chewers is explained by the limited ability of caterpillars to migrate in search of food at high population densities and severe defoliation of preferred plant species. Unlike lepidopterous caterpillars, the adults of leaf beetles are able to fly long distances in search of preferred plant species.

The article deals with the results of the structural-comparative analysis of taxonomic, ecological and geographical structure of watercourses flora of the Kiliya Danube Delta. The list of the aquatic plants consists of 41 species from 27 genera, 21 families, 16 orders, 4 classes and 3 divisions. The analysis of the taxonomic composition of the main taxonomic units and the relationship between them showed that the Magnoliophyta division predominates (90.2%) there and the class Liliopsida dominates (83.8%) within the former. The first three leading families include Potamogetonaceae, Lemnaceae and Hydrocharitaceae, which make up 36.6% of the total flora. The flora consists of six adventive species, one of them is archeophyte (Acorus calamus L.) and five are kenophytes (Azolla caroliniana Willd., Azolla filiculoides Lamark., Elodea canadensis Michx., Sagittaria latifolia Willd., Vallisneria spiralis L.). Rare plants, which are protected throughout Ukraine in watercourses, are represented by three species: Salvinia natans (L.) All., Nymphoides peltata (S.G.Gmel.) Kuntze and Trara natans L. s.l. Regional rare species, which are protected only in the Odessa region. include five additional species: Lemna gibba L. (vulnerable), Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla (insufficiently studied), Najas marina L. (insufficiently studied), Potamogeton gramineus L. (insufficiently studied), Typha grossheimii Pobed. (insufficiently studied). The investigated ecological structure is represented by three ecotypes, among which the largest number of hydrophytes comprises 23 species (56.1%). It is dominated by an eco group of biofilms on the water surface (22%). The ratio of ecotypes of hydrophytes, helophytes, hygrohelophytes is 4: 2: 1. In the chorological spectrum of zonal geographical groups, the largest number of species belongs to the plurizonal group – 18 species (44%). Among the regional groups, a circumpolar distribution that is characteristic of 18 species (44%) predominates. By the nature of the distribution of species in oceanic or inland waters, the largest number of species belongs to the group indifferent to continentality and oceanicity. A similar spectrum is characteristic of the aquatic flora of Ukraine and other flora of the different Eurasia temperate zone region

Впервые cоставлен конспект адвентивной флоры Новосибирской области, насчитывающий 305 видов. 34 из них проявляют себя в качестве инвазивных. Показаны экологическая приуроченность видов, распространение по административным районам, отмечены способ заноса и степень натурализации на территории области. Критически обработаны коллекции Центрального сибирского ботанического сада, расширено представление о распространении 74 видов, 19 из которых являются редко встречающимися в области чужеземными видами.

The aim of the research was to study the composition and the characteristics of the synanthropic flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains. The territory is located in the north-west of the Altai mountains (See Fig. 1). It is represented by the Kolyvan Ridge and a part of the adjacent Pre-Altai Plain with low stony arrays along the Alei river, the Loktevka river, the Belaya river and the Charysh River (within geographical coordinates 50°45'-51°45'N, 81°35,-82°46'E). About 300 years ago, on this territory there were discovered deposits of non-ferrous metals and ornamental stones. The start of mining originated from the beginning of deforestation and plowing of the adjacent steppe territories. Besides agricultural use, touristic and recreational use of the territory is being intensively developed nowadays. However, the western lowlands of the Altai mountains are the main areas for keeping the biological diversity of the Altai-Sayan region, especially the steppe biome. Therefore, synanthropic plants of this region need to be studied due to the anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems that creates a problem today. We have been studying the synanthropic flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains since 1996. This research includes the results of our field studies published earlier [Maslova OM, 2003] and recently (the herbarium is kept at ALTB and KUZ), as well as data of other researchers [Ebel AL, 2012; Silant’eva MM, 2013; Kopitina TM, Terehina TA and Nekrasova NV, 2003; Kleshcheva E, Korolyuk A and Lashchinsky N, 2005; Usik NA, 2014]. In the synanthropic flora, we included species which are adventive on the studied area and apophytes encountered in disturbed habitats. We analyzed systematic and typological structure of the synanthropic flora to identify its characteristics. The flora of the western lowlands was tested according to hemerobility [Kunick W, 1974; Klotz S, 1984; Frank D and Klotz S, 1990; Pestryakov BN, Cherosov MM and Ishbirdin AR, 2011] and hemeroby [Zverev AA, Sheremetova SA and Sheremetov RT, 2018] scales in the app IBIS (version 7.2). We established that the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains is represented by 1105 species, 455 genera and 109 families of vascular plants. The synanthropic fraction of the flora embraces 272 species, 173 genera and 41 families. Families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Lamiaceae are prevalent while Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae are losing their leading positions, traditional for the natural flora (See Table 1). Such genera as Chenopodium (8 species); Potentilla (7); Centaurea, Artemisia, Cirsium, Rumex (6 species each); Cuscuta, Plantago and Trifolium (including Amoria) (5 species each) are equally represented. The arealological analysis was carried out on the basis of the modern settlement of species; 11 types of areas were identified in the synanthropic fraction (See Table 2). Among alien species, Holarctic species hold the first place while Palearctic species prevail among apophytes. Ecological analysis was executed for the synanthropic fraction as a whole and its individual parts (apophytes and alien species) for two factors: the relation of plants to the conditions of moistening (See Table 3) and the stony substrate. In the synanthropic flora, xeromesophytes and mesophytes are prevalent. According to the stony factor of the substrate, two ecological groups were revealed: optional petrophytes (29.4%) and non-petrophytes (70.6%). There were 6 floristic complexes identified in the eco-coenotic structure of the synanthropic flora: ruderal, steppe, meadow, valley, shrub and forest. 105 adventive species and 44 apophytes are attributed to the ruderal complex. These are plants that are widespread in the anthropogenic habitats. Among them are apophytes, such as Amaranthus retroflexus L., Arctium lappa L., Carduus crispus L., Chelidonium majus L., Chenopodium album L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Cynoglossum officinale L., Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, Dracocephalum thymiflorum L., Lactuca serriola L., Polygonum aviculare L., Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn., Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. et Schult., Sisymbrium loeselii L., and Spergularia rubra (L.) J. Presl et C. Presl. Some apophytes (123) are also found in natural (or intact) communities. The steppe complex includes 34 species encountered in common (Lappula consanguinea (Fisch. et C.A. Mey.) Guerke, Orobanche cumana Wallr., Sisymbriumpolymorphum (Murray) Roth) and stony steppes (Artemisiafrigida Willd., Erysimum cheiranthoides L., Potentilla bifurca L., Teloxys aristata (L.) Moq.). The meadow complex comprises 22 species from dry (Achillea millefolium L., Amoria repens (L.) C. Presl, Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub, Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth, Medicago falcata L., Trifolium pratense L.) and saline (Cirsium esculentum (Siev.) C.A. Mey., Melilotus dentatus (Waldst. et Kit.) Pers., Polygonum patulum M. Bieb.) meadows. The valley complex contains 23 species (Calystegiasepium (L.) R. Br., Cirsium setosum (Willd.) Besser, Lycopus europaeus L., Potentilla anserina L.). The shrub complex (34 species) is extremely heterogeneous (Cuscuta lupuliformis Krock., Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love, Galium vaillantii DC. et DC., Sonchus arvensis L., Artemisia glauca Pall. ex Willd.). The forest complex (10 species) is represented by the plants of forest meadows and forest edges (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop., Dactylis glomerata L., Leucanthemum vulgare Lam., Prunella vulgaris L., Rumex acetosella L.). From the synanthropic flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains, 31 species are included in the Black Book of Siberian flora. On the whole, the adventive species in the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains rise up to 11.6%. To compare, the part of the alien species in the flora of Altai Region is 13.7%, in the Altai Republic - 10.6%, in Kemerovo Region - 11% and in the Baikal Siberia - 13%. In regional floras of Eastern Europe the part of alien species reaches 2025%. The low level of urbanization and the absence of large transport routes restrains the spread of synanthropic plants. On the contrary, the increasing use of the territory for recreational and touristic purposes leads to the intensification of the anthropogenic flora transformation. We found out that to analyze the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains, any scale of hemerobility and hemeroby is not suitable, specifically the scales of hemerobility developed for East Germany (DHEM), the Northern Volga region (IHEM) and the Yakutia (YA_HEM). This fact arises from a low compliance of these scales (IHEM - 58.5%; YA_HEM - 46.6%; DHEM - 47.2%) to the floristic list of the area being subject of studies. A high compliance was proved by using the hemeroby scale developed for the south of Siberia whose data amount to 91.9% of the studied flora. The integral disturbance index was calculated using the IBIS program. For the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains, it is equal to 3.5 (9 grades in the scale); its apophytic fraction is 3.3. In the composition of the synanthropic fraction of the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains, the proportion of highly tolerant species (gradations 8-9) significantly increases (See Table 4). We can conclude that the modern composition of the synanthropic flora includes 105 alien species and 167 apophyte species. In the spectrum of the leading families of the synanthropic flora, we revealed significant modifications as compared with the data of the overall flora complex. The analysis of typological elements established that synanthropic plants are mainly species widespread in large areas (Holarctic, Palearctic, West Palaearctic, cosmopolites); most of them are xeromesophytes and mesophytes; two thirds of them are non-petrophytes. Eco-cenotic analysis data show that 55% of aboriginal apophytes that migrate to anthropogenic habitats belong to the steppe and shrub complexes. The part of alien species (11.6%), as well as the results of the analysis on the hemeroby scale, indicate a low degree of transformation of the flora of the western lowlands of the Altai mountains. The paper contains 1 Figure, 4 Tables and 62 References.

The flora of two towns and two settlements in the northern taiga and forest-tundra of Northwest Siberia (Russia) are considered. Urban species lists are limited (61–119 vascular plant species) and mainly consist of native species with a predominance of perennial herbs. Various urban functional zones (industrial, residential, recreational, vegetable patches) differ by species composition, and this difference increases in the course of city development. In the industrial zone, vegetation composition is closer to the native flora, because of the low number of adventive species. Maximal diversity is due to decorative plants, cultivars and southern weed distribution, and is typical to residential neighborhoods. Species diversity increases mainly because of woody plants introduction. Alien species are represented generally by a small number of individuals. The severe climate and poor soils limit their abilities to spread in the Far North. Urbanization forces the reduction of aboriginal biodiversity, but in northern areas where native species have the adaptive advantage, this effect is minimal. Changes in flora since 1995 were analyzed in the town of Novy Urengoy (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia). Plant diversity increased by about 20 % in all functional zones, although some alien and natural species were not recorded in 2018.

The bark beetle, Ernoporus parvulus (Eggers, 1943) was collected from Pinellas County, Florida, USA representing the first North American record of the genus. Two species previously described from the Caribbean were examined and are synonymous: Ernoporus minutus (Bright & Torres, 2006) syn. nov. and E. exquisitus (Bright, 2019) syn. nov. This beetle is likely an overlooked exotic from Africa, known only from sea hibiscus, Talipariti tiliaceum (L.) Fryxell (Malvaceae). There is no evidence that this is a threat to commercial or ornamental Hibiscus and related species.

The present survey includes forty-three plant species with present-day medicinal applications that can be related to the Doctrine of Signatures (DoS). The main uses are for jaundice (33.3%), kidney stones (20%), and as an aphrodisiac (8%). Ten Doctrine of Signature uses (22.2%) are endemic (to Israel and Jordan), while none of these plant species are endemic to the region at all, their DoS uses are endemic. Summing up of all these data reveals that 73.2% of all uses found in present-day Israel could be considered as related to Muslim traditional medicine. About one quarter (24.4%) of the DoS uses are also common to Europe, and some (8.8%) to India. The two adventive species with DoS uses serve as evidence that the DoS practice is not necessarily based solely on its historical background but is still evolving locally in accordance with changes in the local flora. The current broad geographic distribution of many of the doctrine’s uses may serve as indirect evidence of its current prevalence, and not just as a vestigial presentation of ancient beliefs.

Plant-pollinator interactions represent a crucial ecosystem function threatened by anthropogenic landscape changes. Disturbances that reduce plant diversity are associated with floral resource and pollinator declines. Establishing wildflower plantings is a major conservation strategy targeting pollinators, the success of which depends on long-term persistence of seeded floral communities. However, most pollinator-oriented seeding projects are monitored for a few years, making it difficult to evaluate the longevity of such interventions. Selecting plant species to provide pollinators diverse arrays of floral resources throughout their activity season is often limited by budgetary constraints and other conservation priorities. To evaluate the long-term persistence of prairie vegetation seeded to support pollinators, we sowed wildflower seed mixes into plots on a degraded reclaimed strip-mine landscape in central Ohio, USA. We examined how pollinator habitat quality, measured as floral abundance and diversity, changed over 10 years (2009-2019) in the absence of management, over the course of the blooming season within each year, and across three seed mixes containing different numbers and combinations of flowering plant species. Seeded species floral abundance declined by more than 75% over the study, with the largest decline occurring between the fifth and seventh summers. Native and non-native adventive flowering plants quickly colonized the plots and represented >50% of floral community abundances on average. Floral richness remained relatively constant throughout the study, with a small peak one year after plot establishment. Plots seeded with High-Diversity Mixes averaged two or three more species per plot compared with a Low-Diversity Mix, despite having been seeded with twice as many plant species. Within years, the abundance and diversity of seeded species were lowest early in the blooming season and increased monotonically from June to August. Adventive species exhibited the opposite trend, such that complementary abundance patterns of seeded and adventive species blooms resulted in a relatively constant floral abundance across the growing season. Seeded plant communities followed classic successional patterns in which annual species quickly established and flowered but were replaced by perennial species after the first few summers. Long-term data on establishment and persistence of flower species can guide species selection for future-oriented pollinator habitat restorations.

В статье приводится краткий анализ синантропной флоры особо охраняемой природной территории федерального значения «Ботанический сад Южного федерального университета». Синантропная флора насчитывает 394 вида семенных растений из 76 семейств и 249 родов. Во флоре представлены как апофитные (235 таксонов), т ак и а двентивные ( 159 таксонов) виды. Коэффициент синантропизации флоры составляет 48,8%., The article provides a brief analysis of the synanthropic flora of a specially protected natural area of federal significance «The Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University». The synanthropic flora includes 394 species of seed plants from 76 families and 249 genera. The flora includes both apophytic (235 taxa) and adventive (159 taxa) species. The coefficient of synanthropization flora is 48.8%.

Specimens of an ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus monographus (Fabricius), were found infesting oak trees in California. This is the first record of this species established in North America. Based on collection information, this species most likely has been established in the Napa County area for several years. A modified key to Xyleborus in North America, and diagnosis of the species is provided.

Originally from eastern Asia, the giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Smith), was accidentally introduced into the United States in the 1990s. It is considered an adventive (not native and usually not established) species and is present in most states in the eastern US. Although these bees can be found on various plants, they typically prefer plants that have been introduced from their native area. Some have observed that when collecting pollen or nectar, Megachile sculpturalis will damage local flora, making it unusable to future bee visitors. However, evidence has shown that, although an adventive species, Megachile sculpturalis is thought to be a pollinator of a native and federally threatened plant, the Apios Pricenana.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1258 Also available on the Featured Creatures website: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEES/Giant_resin.html

Larvae, pupae and imagoes of Megabruchidius dorsalis have been found in October 2018 as a result of examination of the beans of the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) in the arboretum of the Dokuchaiev Kharkiv National Agrarian University. The seed beetles colonized in 52% of the beans harvested in the current year and in 81% of the beans harvested in the previous years.

Processes of plant regeneration and restoration of destroyed ecosystems, naturally occurring, in such areas are very slow. Considering sand pits as a man-made form of relief necessitates a comprehensive study of the features of sand pits vegetation, which helps stop the movement of sandy slopes, stabilize sands, and land reclamation. We have studied the slopes of the northern and southern exposition in some sand quarries (Zvenigorodsky, Dzerzhinsky, Ramensky (GOK), Lytkarinsky, Lyzlovo). Geobotanical descriptions, performed according to a standard method on the experimental areas of 5×5 square meters, are the basis of our work. The article shows that all the 93 species which we have found in the surveyed area were species of vascular plants. In this case the number of species is not only determined by the smooth running development of the landscape (taking into account the fact that the interference was rude and had a man-made factors), but by other factors such as steep slopes, light, moisture, and richness of the soil. The projective cover of sand pits constitutes 20-30 % which, in general, is a typical characteristic of sandy terrain [3]. Plants overwhelming majority in the spectrum of life forms according to K. Raunkiaer, are Hemicryptophytes, which is typical for the phytocoenosis of the Central Russia. It can be noted that the Chamaephytes are absent in most quarries, except for Dzerzhinsky. According to the classification of life forms by I.G. Serebryakov, sand slopes are dominated by herbaceous perennial polycarpics, among which long and short rhizome plants and tap rooted plants are in majority. Meadow plants are dominant in ecological-coenotic group. This group consists of fully developed plants, only, under conditions of good lighting. The rate of adventive species is low.

This paper presents an evaluation of full-area floristic investigation of floodplain forests in Soutok forest district (Židlochovice Forest State Enterprise) based on an individual forest stand inventory. The study area encompasses 5103 ha of forests, where 1186 segments were inventoried, and 71 223 single records about presence of vascular plant species were done. We found 761 taxa (species, subspecies and hybrids), out of which 655 were herbs, 106 woody plants, 156 were endangered species and 177 adventive species. The average area of a segment was 4.3 ha. The mean number of species per segment was 64.42 in a range of 4–180.

The paper summarizes new and literature data on the species composition, trophic relationships, and population dynamics of phyllophagous lepidopterans dominant on woody plants in St. Petersburg and its environs (Russia). Most of these species have concealed larvae (e.g., leaf miners and leaf rollers), and some of them are invasive. The data were accumulated during approximately a hundred years of observations and field collections. Concealed species form the dominant group within the studied complex of phyllophagous moths in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Province (27 species from 13 families). Changes in the composition of dominant pests of the dog rose, bird cherry, elm, poplar, and other woody plants have been recorded. Outbreaks of some species, such as Phyllonorycter salicicolella (Gracillariidae), Archips rosana (Tortricidae), Leucoma salicis, Lymantria monacha, and Orgyia antiqua (Erebidae), were recorded during the XX century but since about 1980 the population density of these species has remained at a very low level. Another group of species, which includes Phyllonorycter populifoliella (Gracillariidae), Batrachedra praeangusta (Batrachedridae), Acleris bergmanniana, and Epinotia abbreviana (Tortricidae), demonstrated a sharp increase in population density in the 1990–2000s, a phenomenon which had not been observed before. The possible causes of such population dynamics are discussed. The dominant species of phyllophagous micro-lepidopterans, including some recent invaders (e.g., Cameraria ohridella and Phyllonorycter issikii, Gracillariidae) and adventive species (e.g., Ph. populifoliella and Ph. acerifoliella, Gracillariidae) pose a serious threat to woody plants in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Province.

The distribution and phytocenotic association of Parthenocissus vitacea and Vinca minor on the territory of the Bryansk oblast has been studied. An assessment of the distribution of invasive species is performed on a grid basis. Vinca minor is registered in 19 cells on the territory of the oblast, which is 4.9% of the total number of cells and 11.9% of the surveyed cells; Parthenocissus vitacea is registered in 50 cells, which is 12.8% of the total number of cells and 31.2% of the surveyed cells. The invasive status of Parthenocissus vitacea and Vinca minor is category 3: an adventive species whose invasions into natural and seminatural habitats in the region at the moment are rare and, as a rule, confined to the outskirts of populated areas, abandoned parks, and old plantings. The indices of successful invasion in forest communities is the formation of syntaxonomically valid variants of the communities of Corylo avellanae-Pinetum sylvestris Bulokhov et Solomeshch 2003 with depleted cenoflora. Invasive species change the phytosphere and reliably decrease the indices of α and β diversity, the structural indices of communities. The invasion of Parthenocissus vitacea and Vinca minor is successful due to active vegetative reproduction, allelopathic effects on native species, and decreasing illumination of the ground cover. The introduction of invasive species into complex pine forests blocks demutational changes of endogenous succession during the restoration of broad-leaved forests: they simplify the structure of communities and reduce the intensity of the mosaic. Parthenocissus vitacea and Vinca minor can exhibit signs of an edificator, a community builder, and a violent and transformer type. There has been only one case of a radical transformation of the natural community, registered on the territory of the Lyubin Khutor nature monument (Novozybkovskii district, Bryansk oblast).

The results show the effect of water extracts from dry biomass of adventive plant species with high invasive activity from Belarus on the growth of seedlings of test plants. High correlation between the effect of biologically active substances released from the seeds of Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden on various test plants and plant species is discussed. The strong stimulating effect of water extracts on plant species from Cruciferae family is shown. Plant species from Poaceae family are mainly characterized by a neutral reaction to the biologically active substances emitted from H. sosnowskyi seeds. It has been found that water extracts at the concentrations from 0.01 to 0.001 % have a stimulatory effect on the growth and development of test plants, while an inhibitory effect was observed at the concentrations in the range from 1 to 10 %.

The presence of 267 vascular plants species from 190 genera, 63 families, 26 orders, 4 classes (Equisetopsida, Polypodiopsida, Pinopsida, Angiospermae) and 3 divisions (Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Spermatophyta) was established for Kuznetsov Mountain. The absolute majority of species belong to Spermatophyta (258 species, 96,7%), Angiospermae (257 species, 96,3%), Dicotyledones (228 species, 85,4%). Vascular spore plants are represented by 9 species belonging to 6 genera ( Equisetum , Matteuccia , Athyrium , Cystopteris , Dryopteris , Pteridium ), 5 families (Equisetaceae, Onocleaceae, Woodsiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae), 2 classes (Equisetopsida, Polypodiopsida) and 2 divisions (Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta). The leading families according the species diversity are Compositae (44 species, 16,5%), Leguminosae (22 species, 8,2%) and Rosaceae (18 species, 6,7%). The leading families according the number of genera are Compositae (29 genera, 15,3%), Rosaceae (14 genera, 7,4%) and Labiatae (13 genera, 6,8%). The largest number of species is concentrated in the genera Trifolium (7 species), Viola , Campanula , Galium and Carex (4 species each). According to the climamorphic system of K. Raunkiaer, hemicryptophytes predominate in the flora (148 species, 55,4%). According to the biomorph system I.G. Serebryakov and T.I. Serebryakova - perennial polycarpic short-stemmed, long-rooted, and rod-root grasses (47,0%) predominate. 76,8% of the species are vegetatively still and immobile.

Composition of insect species pollinating Sorbus aucuparia and Aronia mitschurinii in Moscow Region, Russia was studied. It was collected 39 species – representatives of 4 orders and 21 families. The hypothesis that these two plants with same inflorescences and blossoming simultaneously are visited by the same insect species was not proved: 18 species were captured only on S. aucuparia and 16 species only on A. mitschurinii. Insects demonstrated selectivity towards aboriginal (Sorbus) and adventive (Aronia) plants. Only five species were registered on both plants: Bombus ruderarius Müller, 1776, Andrena haemorrhoa (Fabricius, 1781), Bellardia viarum obineauDesvoidy, 1830, Anthrenus scrophulariae Linnaeus, 1758 and Anaspis frontalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Sorbus aucuparia was more attractive for Diptera from the families Calliphoridae and Milichiidae, and Aronia mitschurinii – for Anthomyiidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. Selectivity was discovered at species level also: Andrena ruficrus Nylander, 1848 and Myopa polystigma Rondani, 1857 visited Aronia mitschurinii only and Andrena subopaca Nylander, 1848 and Myopa testacea (Linnaeus, 1767) – Sorbus aucuparia. The majority of collected insect species are polyphagous. Additional data on other plants visited by the same insects during the period of bloom of Sorbus and Aronia are given, including those from the genera Malus, Spiraea, Pyrus, Prunus, Rosa, Rubus, Cerasus Crataegus, Barbarea and Taraxacum.

The bryocorine mirid Tenthecoris tillandsiae Henry (Hemiptera: Miridae) was described as a new species in 2016. Although the type locality is Charleston, South Carolina, the species is considered adventive in the United States and native to Latin America. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides [L.] L.; Bromeliaceae) is the plant bug's only known host. Tenthecoris tillandsiae was found in three counties of the greater Charleston area in clumps of Spanish moss that grew on ten species of woody plants, especially Darlington oak (Quercus hemisphaericaW. Bartram exWilld.; Fagaceae) and live oak (Q. virginiana Mill.). Nymphs and adults fed on strands of the moss, on which they left dark spots of excrement. Overwintered eggs hatched in mid- to late April, with first-generation adults appearing by early May. Two additional generations were produced; nymphs were present into October, and an adult female was found as late as mid-December. Tenthecoris tillandsiae sometimes was syntopic with a native plant bug (Phytocoris tillandsiae Johnston) that specializes on Spanish moss. Pathways of entry that might have allowed T. tillandsiae to enter the southeastern United States from South America (where Spanish moss originated), Central America, or Mexico are discussed. This immigrant mirid is suggested to be a benign addition to the arthropod community associated with Spanish moss, a plant not only symbolic of the South, but also one known to help conserve insect biodiversity.

The following paper is a result of many-year-observations of the railways flora in the Middle Volga Region. Observations were carried out on the territory of several entities with different configurations of the railway network and the intensity of its operation. The cited data characterize the foreign component as a two-level dynamic system consisting of a core and a fluctuating outer belt. The core is represented by American and Eurasian invasive species that are firmly established in the natural plant communities and capable of prolonged growth in one place. External fluctuating belt consists of naturalized alien species and permanently or occasionally presents in the composition of ruderal vegetation, capable of changing their numbers, depending on the living conditions and the operation of the railways. Structurally alien flora is formed under the influence of extreme living conditions that is reflected in the predominance of annual herbaceous plants xerophytic spectrum, as well as the cosmopolitan weed. The taxonomic structure shows impoverishment of the species composition, low values of the species occupancy rate, but at the same time the generic fillability of the families shows relatively high indices. In general, foreign component flora characterized by considerable resistance to extreme environmental conditions, is capable of long-term existence in a certain area, with a tendency to settling in adjacent territories characterizing similar habitat conditions.

Nematus spiraeae Zaddach, a European sawfly that feeds on Aruncus diocus (Walter) Fernald (Rosaceae), was discovered in Quebec. This probable introduction is the first report of N. spiraeae in North America and the first record of a sawfly feeding on Aruncus in North America. A diagnosis and some life history notes are given for N. spiraeae.

The representatives of the genusCercyonLeach occurring in the Greater Antilles are reviewed. Ten species are recorded, of which five are described here as new:C. gimmelisp. n.(Dominican Republic),C. armatipenissp. n.(Dominican Republic),C. tainosp. n.(Dominican Republic),C. sklodowskaesp. n.(Jamaica) andC. spiniventrissp. n.(Dominican Republic). Diagnoses and detailed distributional data are also provided forC. floridanusHorn, 1890 (distributed in southeastern United States of America and Cayman Islands),C. insularisChevrolat, 1863 (endemic to the Antilles)C. praetextatus(Say, 1825) (widely distributed in the New World incl. Greater Antilles),C. quisquilius(Linnaeus, 1761) (an adventive species of Paleartic origin) andC. nigriceps(Marshall, 1802) (an adventive species probably of Oriental origin).Cercyon armatipenis, C. gimmeli, C. tainoform a group of closely related species only distinguishable by male genitalia and DNA sequences. A key to the Great AntilleanCercyonis provided and important diagnostic characters are illustrated. The larvae ofC. insularisandC. tainowere associated with adults using COI barcode sequences, illustrated and diagnosed. Full occurrence data, additional images and COI barcode sequences were submitted to open access on-line depositories in an effort to provide access to complete data.

We undertook stratified random sampling of vegetation, soil chemical fertility and subsurface soil temperature at 38 sites on 15 geothermal fields in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, central North Island, New Zealand, to develop a quantitative classification of geothermal vegetation types and to identify the main environmental drivers of vegetation composition. We implemented this with the fuzzy classification framework of noise clustering. Gradients in composition were derived using Detrended Correspondence Analysis ordination and related to soil physical and chemical parameters using correlation. Of 166 plant species recorded, only seven native species were present in > 20% of plots and only four adventive species in > 5% of plots. Subsurface soil temperatures ranged from ambient (7 °C) to near-boiling (98.5 °C). Classification identified 16 vegetation associations, almost all dominated by indigenous species and unique to geothermal fields. Subsurface soil temperature was the main factor controlling veg...

In the summer of 2010, two male specimens of the neotropical orchid bee genus Eufriesea Cockerell were collected in the Guadalupe Mountains of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, USA. We tentatively identified them as E. coerulescens (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau) because of the uncertainty surrounding the limits of this taxon and hypothesized that they were members of a persistent bee population, rather than long-distance transient vagrants. The goals of this paper are to clarify the identity of these specimens, assess the species limits of E. coerulescens, and to evaluate suitability of habitats in the USA for this adventive species. Herein, we revise the species in the coerulescens group using morphological features of both sexes and confirm that the specimens of Eufriesea from the USA are E. coerulescens. We recognize the following six species in the coerulescens group: E. coerulescens, E. micheneri Ayala & Engel, E. simillima (Moure & Michener), which is reinstated from synonym with E. coerulescens, and three new species from Mexico (E. barthelli Gonzalez & Griswold, sp. n., E. engeli Gonzalez & Griswold, sp. n., and E. oliveri Gonzalez & Griswold, sp. n.). To facilitate the identification of these taxa, we present a fully illustrated account of the species, comparative diagnoses, descriptions, and an updated key to all Mexican species of Eufriesea. Our analyses using species distribution modelling show an absence of suitable habitat for E. coerulescens in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, thus favoring the long-distance dispersal hypothesis. The analyses also suggest high suitability of habitats across the Caribbean and some areas in Florida, as well as in other regions in Mexico and Central America. We discuss the implications of these results and compare them with the predicted distribution available for the other two known adventive orchid bee species in the USA.

Arytainilla spartiophila (Foerster) is native to central and western Europe and a specialist herbivore on Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius [L.] Link; Fabaceae). This psyllid has been released for biological control and become established in exotic habitats where Scotch broom is invasive (Australia, New Zealand). Accidentally introduced into North America, it is known in the Pacific Northwest from California, Oregon, and Washington, and in Canada from British Columbia. Virginia has remained the only eastern North American record. Based on fieldwork in 2015 and 2016, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are added to the psyllid's known eastern distribution. Its syntopy with Arytaina genistae (Latreille) at a site in western North Carolina represents the first eastern North American locale where both immigrant Palearctic psyllids of Scotch broom have been found. Adults (mainly males) of this univoltine species appeared in mid-April, numbers declined by mid- to late May when populations became...

New U.S. records are given for two immigrant Old World insects established on mimosa, Albizia julibrissin (Fabaceae), based on collections from 2013 to 2015. The psyllid Acizzia jamatonica is newly reported from Arkansas (11 counties), Louisiana (3 parishes), and Oklahoma (3 counties); the westernmost collection site (95°34′) was in Oklahoma. New state records for the bruchine chrysomelid Bruchidius terrenus are Arkansas (2 counties), Kansas (1 county), Louisiana (3 parishes), Oklahoma (6 counties), and Texas (4 counties); it was taken as far west as 98°00′ in Kansas. Although the foci of introduction for both species are unknown, they might have entered the United States at southeastern ports (coastal, inland, or both) with the shipment of infested mimosa nursery stock from Asia. Following establishment, their spread north and west probably involved natural dispersal and movement of infested host plants (jump dispersal) within the United States.

Diaphania costata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a leaffolder on Apocynaceae in the Neotropics and the southeastern United States. Adult moths photographed or captured at light in the United States have been commonly misidentified, and the species’ Nearctic distribution has been poorly documented. We provide diagnostic characters for larval and adult stages, compare it to related Old World taxa, and describe the damage to ornamental Vinca L. The species is not restricted to Texas but occurs as far east as the Atlantic Coast and as far north as Virginia. Specimens collected in daily surveys over many years indicate that the range of D. costata spread naturally from Louisiana and Texas from the 1980s into the 2000s.