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In this paper, we present new faunistic data of the spider fauna from the Sharr Mountains (Kosovo), one of the least investigated areas in the Balkans. Previously only 27 species of spiders were known from the Kosovo part of the Sharr Mountains but with this investigation, the number has increased to 74. Pictures of rare and interesting species are provided. We also include a new record from the North Macedonian part of the Sharr Mountains. In total we report fifty species, eight of which are first records for Sharr Mountains, twenty-eight are first records for Kosovo, and one species is reported for the first time for North Macedonia. Species recorded for the first time from the Sharr Mountains belong to the following genera: Histopona, Clubiona, Zelotes, Ceratinella, Mughiphantes, Robertus and Ozyptila. We also provide a checklist of spider species for the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo.

Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in the southern end of the Republic of North Macedonia. A total of 36 species were recorded, of which 22 and 8 were recorded for the first time for Kožuf and Baba mountains, respectively. Limnephilus flavicornis (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first time from the country from Kožuf Mountain. In addition, new localities of several rare and endemic caddisfly species were found. The results of this study highlight Kožuf and Baba mountains as refugium for caddisfly species of conservation importance.

We analyzed the municipal waste composition in three localities in southern Kosovo during 2004 and 2017. The results show that most of the municipal waste is composed by biodegradable components and at a lesser degree by cardboard, glass, plastic, metals etc. The presence and increase of hazardous waste in municipal containers was observed in all investigated localities. This study showed that there is no significant change in municipal waste composition in 2017 compared to 2004. This investigation through a case study in Prizren Municipality is a contribution to the municipal waste management in Kosovo. It highlights the importance of including the registration of individual and organized cardboard, metal and plastic operators into the municipal waste management system, in order to know the exact amount of waste produced per capita. It also emphasizes the importance of organizing separate containers for hazardous waste due to possible significant environmental and health problems.

In this paper we describe Potamophylax qafshtamaensis sp. n., a new species of the Potamophylax winneguthi species group, from Qafështamë National Park in Albania. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax tagas species cluster and is most close to Potamophylax hajlos Oláh, 2012 and Potamophylax alsos Oláh, 2014. Potamophylax qafshtamaensis sp. n. differs from all known species of the P. tagas species cluster by its unique shape of aedeagus. It also differs from its most similar congeners mainly in exhibiting differently shaped inferior appendages and parameres in males, as well as setose sternite IX and the dorsal unsetose plate of the anal tube in female.The new species is microendemic of Qafështamë National Park and is the fifth known species of the Potamophylax tagas species cluster, which is distributed in Albania and Macedonia.

During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers all over the Dragash Municipality in order to assess the impact of inhabited areas in these freshwater ecosystems, considering the fact that there is no sewage treatment and waste management is dysfunctional in many parts of this Municipality. On the basis of the habitat structure evaluation, basic physical and chemical analysis and Family Biotic Index according to Hilsenhoff and EPT Index (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera Trichoptera), this study shows that the freshwater ecosystems in the Dragash Municipality are heavily polluted and impacted by human activities in their midstream and downstream segments. The main sources that deteriorate their natural ecological conditions in these segments are: load of all kinds of waste directly into the rivers and streams, industrial discharge into the freshwater ecosystems and the direct sewage discharge into the rivers and streams all over the municipality. This study also shows that the freshwater ecosystems of the area in their upper reaches are home to very interesting and rare composition of aquatic fauna. Several species and many potential ones which live only in this area and nowhere in Kosovo or abroad, or their distribution elsewhere is very limited, have been found.

The morphology of all postembryonic stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid, & Ibrahimi n. sp. from Greece, Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia was examined. Morphological data were supplemented by a molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and compared with samples of the nominate species Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859, as well as with other species and subspecies in this group: Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865, Rhyacophila denticulata McLachlan 1879, Rhyacophila sociata Navás 1916, Rhyacophila kykladica Malicky & Sipahiler 1993, Rhyacophila fasciata delici Kucinic & Valladolid 2020, and Rhyacophila fasciata viteceki Valladolid & Kucinic 2020. Our results revealed morphological differences between the nominate species and R. macedonica, as well as genetic differences among the taxa in the Rhyacophila fasciata Group, so we propose R. macedonica as a new species of the Group. Based on the new molecular data, we also elevate R. f. delici to the status of a distinct species, R. delici (status promotus).

In this contribution, we report new records of the invasive moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) from Albania and Kosovo. Previously, it has been reported from all over the European continent, including all Balkan countries. During this investigation it has been observed at two sites in Albania, located in Kukës and Kavajë municipalities. From Kosovo we report four new sites where this species was observed, belonging to Klinë, Pejë and Prishtinë municipalities., U ovom priopćenju donosimo nove nalaze invazivne vrste šimširovog moljca Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) iz Albanije i Kosova. Dosad je bio zabilježen širom cijele Europe, uključujući sve zemlje Balkana. Tijekom ovog istraživanja zabilježen je na dva lokaliteta u Albaniji, na području općina Kukës i Kavajë. Na Kosovu donosimo četiri nova lokaliteta gdje je zabilježena ova vrsta, a koja se nalaze u općinama Klina, Peć i Priština.

The caddisfly species Rhyacophila pubescens Pictet, 1834 is reported from R. North Macedonia for the first time. Our investigations showed the presence of this species at only one locality at Osogovo Mountain, above the Sasa mine. R. pubescens is commonly distributed in Central Europe but has been rarely found in the southeastern parts of the continent. This record marks the southernmost occurrence of this species in the Balkan Peninsula and increases the number of Rhyacophila species of R. North Macedonia to seventeen. The results obtained in our study a) provide information on the distribution of R. pubescens in the Balkan Peninsula; b) comment on the ecological preferences of the species and c) serve as a valuable source of information for further biodiversity and population studies.

In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philopotamoides species group from the Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains in Kosovo, based on morphological (male adults) and molecular (sequencing of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)) characteristics. The new species is morphologically closest to Rhyacophila schmidinarica Urbanič, Krušnik & Malicky, 2000, and also closely resembling Rhyacophila hirticornis McLachlan, 1879. R. siparantum sp. nov. differs from both its most similar congeners primarily by the shape of the segment X, which is in lateral view short apically and with a pronounced lateral hump on the posterior edge. This difference, combined with other characters related to the shape of the second segment of inferior appendages, spine pattern of parameres and size of ventral teeth on segments VI and VII, make R. siparantum sp. nov. easily distinguishable from both most similar congeners. Phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships were reconstructed using two methods of phylogenetic inference, and two species delimitation methods. All this supports Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov. as a distinct taxon. The adults of Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov. were found during the period May – August, nearby a small rheocrene spring inside a forested area. The new species is most probably a microendemic of the Bjeshkët e Nemuna, a mountainous massive known for several other endemic species of caddisflies. Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov. is the seventeenth known species of the genus Rhyacophila Pictet, 1834 from Kosovo.

Caddisfly specimens were collected with entomological net and ultraviolet light trap during 2016 and 2017 at eight localities in North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia. During this investigation we found 13 species. Here we report first record of Chaetopteroides kosovarorum from North Macedonia, as well as new localities for this species in Kosovo and Serbia. This species belongs to an extremely rare genus, inhabiting only few mountainous areas in the Balkans, and until recently has been reported only from its type locality in Kosovo.Beside this, several other rare species were recorded during this investigation such as: Rhyacophila obtusa and Drusus botosaneanui.

Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo from May to October 2013. This mountainous area which is known for many endemic and rare species of plants and animals is still not enough explored in terms of caddisfly fauna.A diverse fauna consisting of 11 families and 43 species was found. Three species found during this investigation are first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Limnephilus lunatus, Micropterna lateralis and Plectrocnemia geniculata. The stenoendemic species Chaetopteroides kosovarorum is found for the second time in Kosovo. Several other rare species were recorded during this investigation. The most interesting finding is species Plectrocnemia geniculata, which is very widespread in Opojë Region and at the same time this represents one of the rarest occurrences of this species in the Balkans.This study contributes to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of the Sharr Mountains and adds to the list of known caddisfly species from Kosovo.

During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, RepublicofNorth Macedonia. In total we found 15 species, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: Potamophylax fules Oláh and Ibrahimi, 2013 and ChaetopteryxgonospinaMarinkovic-Gospodnetic, 1966. Potamophylax fules belongs to the nigricornis group and is scarcely distributed in Kosovo, Montenegro, Rumania and now Macedonia. Chaetopteryx gonospina has a disjunct distribution in Balkans and Pyrenees. Finding of these two species contributes to the knowledge of their distribution patterns and shows that Balkan Peninsula has still poorly investigated areas.

Noctuid fauna of Kosovo is poorly known with only few registered records until now. Noctuid specimens were collected in seven different localities in Kosovo during 2019 (April to July). We found thirty five species. The distribution of species per families is a follows: 8 subfamilies, 9 tribes, 7 subtribe, 26 genus and 9 subgenus. Five of the found species are recorded for the first time from Kosovo: Hecateracappa(Hübner, 1809), Simyranervosa(Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Aegle semicana (Esper, 1798), Hecaterabicolorata(Hufnagel, 1766) and Mythimna (Hyphilare) congrua(Hübner, 1817).

The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several microscale endemics, many of which were discovered during the recent years. The genus Potamophylax Wallengren, 1891 likely originated and diversified in Europe, with the Balkan Peninsula being one of the most important diversity hotspots. In this paper, we describe the new species Potamophylax coronavirus sp. n. from Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in the Republic of Kosovo. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax winneguthi species group and is morphologically most similar to Potamophylax juliani Kumanski, 1999, currently known only from Bulgaria and Potamophylax winneguthi Klapalek, 1902, known from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The male of the new species differs from its most similar congeners mainly in exhibiting: (1) elongated subrectangular superior appendages in lateral view; (2) hardly acuminate, almost rounded apex of intermediate appendages; (3) differently shaped, irregular and higher inferior appendages; (4) narrow spinate area, roughly rectangular in dorsal view, slightly wider at the base and (5) different paramere shape and/or spine pattern. The new species also differs by its considerably smaller size and association with open, high altitude eucrenal zones. The uncorrected interspecific pairwise distance between P. coronavirus and other species of the P. winneguthi species group is on par with those amongst other recognised species in the group, as well as with the yet ambiguously identified taxa from the Sharr, Rila and Bajgorë Mountains. The new species is most probably a microendemic of Bjeshkët e Nemuna, thus highlighting further this area as an important hotspot of caddisfly biodiversity in Europe.

We sporadically collected stoneflies on Berisha Mountain in Kosovo during 2017 and 2018. During this investigation we found 12 species belonging to the following families: Leuctridae, Nemouridae and Perlidae. Five species were recorded for the first time from Kosovo: Nemoura anas, N. asceta, N. peristeri, N. vinconi and Protonemura beaumonti. This work contributes to the knowledge of the stonefly fauna of Kosovo and highlights it as one of the least explored countries in Europe., Tijekom 2017. i 2018. na planini Berisha na Kosovu povremeno su prikupljani obalčari. Pronađeno je 12 vrsta koje pripadaju sljedećim porodicama: Leuctridae, Nemouridae i Perlidae. Pet vrsta zabilježeno je po prvi puta za Kosovo: Nemoura anas, N. asceta, N. peristeri, N. vinconi i Protonemura beaumonti. Ovaj rad doprinos je poznavanju faune obalčara Kosova, kao jedne od najmanje istraženih zemalja Europe.

The caddisfly fauna of the Karadak Mountains in the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia was previously completely unknown. We collected adult caddisfly specimens occasionally, from September 2016 to June 2017, in sixteen localities in this area. During this investigation we found 18 species belonging to the following families: Limnephilidae, Rhyacophilidae, Philopotamidae, Uenoidae and Leptoceridae. The autumnal Limnephilid species Chaetopteryx gonospina was found in one locality only, in Dëbëlldeh village in southern Kosovo, representing the first record for Kosovo. Rhyacophila fischeri, Rhyacophilidae, was found in Tanushë village in northeastern Macedonia, the first record from Macedonia. This paper is a contribution to knowledge of the distribution of Trichoptera from Kosovo and Macedonia., Fauna tulara planina Karadak s graničnog područja između Kosova i Makedonije bila je prethodno potpuno nepoznata. Nasumično smo prikupljali odrasle jedinke od rujna 2016. do lipnja 2017. na 16 lokaliteta na tom području. Tijekom ovog istraživanja pronašli smo 18 vrsta iz sljedećih porodica: Limnephilidae, Rhyacophilidae, Philopotamidae, Uenoidae i Leptoceridae. Jesenska vrsta iz porodice Limnephilidae, Chaetopteryx gonospina pronađena je samo na jednom lokalitetu, u selu Dëbëlldeh na južnom Kosovu, i to je njen prvi nalaz za Kosovo. Rhyacophila fischeri, porodica Rhyacophilidae, pronađena je u selu Tanushë u sjeveroistočnoj Makedoniji i to je njen prvi nalaz za Makedoniju. Ovaj rad je doprinos poznavanju rasprostranjenosti tulara na Kosovu i Makedoniji.

The knowledge about distribution, ecology and species composition of caddisflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete. The ongoing investigations of the last years highlight this area as an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity. Polycentropus ierapetra slovenica has been considered a narrow range endemic of Slovenia and surrounding areas. Rhyacophila aurata, a species known from many parts of Europe, according to the current knowledge, is absent from a large part of the Balkan Peninsula. In this paper, we present records of these two rare taxa of Trichoptera from the Republic of Kosovo with exact distribution data, based on sampling carried out randomly during 2014 and 2017. Polycentropus ierapetra slovenica was found in several streams in Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains and Karadak Mountains. Rhyacophila aurata was found during this investigation at a single locality in Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains. The unexpected finding of these two taxa in Kosovo greatly enlarges their known distribution area and makes a contribution towards the better knowledge of distributional patterns of these rare taxa of caddisflies in this part of Europe.

Adult caddisflies were collected with entomological nets and ultraviolet light traps during August and September 2018 in Leqinat Lake, Drelaj Lake and five adjacent streams in Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Kosovo. Within the current study we found three first records for the caddisfly fauna of Kosovo: Limnephilus flavospinosus, Limnephilus flavicornis and Oligotricha striata. The genus Oligotricha is reported for the first time from Kosovo. We also found few rare species which have been reported only from few localities in the Balkan Peninsula such as: Plectrocnemia mojkovacensis, Rhyacophila balcanica and Drusus tenellus., Odrasli tulari prikupljani su pomoću entomološke mrežice i UV svjetlosnih zamki tijekom kolovoza i rujna 2018. na jezerima Leqinat i Drelaj te pet obližnjih potoka, na području Bjeshkët e Nemuna na Kosovu. Tijekom istraživanja zabilježili smo tri prva nalaza za faunu tulara Kosova: Limnephilus flavospinosus, Limnephilus flavicornis i Oligotricha striata. Po prvi puta za Kosovo je zabilježen rod Oligotricha. Također smo našli neke rijetke vrste zabilježenih na samo nekoliko lokaliteta na Balkanu, npr.: Plectrocnemia mojkovacensis, Rhyacophila balcanica i Drusus tenellus.

We collected adult caddisfly specimens with entomological nets and ultraviolet light traps monthly from May to November 2012 in Brezne Lake situated in Dragash Municipality. During this investigation we found the Leptocerid species Triaenodes bicolor for the first time in Kosovo; it is also the first record for Ecoregion 6, Hellenic Western Balkans. Additionally, this is the first record of the genus Triaenodes from Kosovo. In total seven males and three females of this species were found. Triaenodes bicolor is present all over the European continent but has been rarely sampled in southeastern Europe. Other taxa sympatric with Triaenodes bicolor in the investigated locality are: Hydropsyche instabilis, Hydropsyche spp., Plectrocnemia conspersa, Plectrocnemia spp., Micropterna nycterobia, Micropterna sequax, Limnephilus vittatus, Limnephilus auricula and Thremma anomalum., Odrasli oblici tulara su sakupljeni entomološkom mrežom i ultraljubičastom svjetlosnom klopkom od svibnja do studenog 2012. godine na jezeru Brezna u Općini Dragaš. Tijekom ovog istraživanja, vrsta iz porodice Leptoceridae Triaenodes bicolor nađena je po prvi puta na Kosovu i u Ekoregiji 6 (helenski zapadni Balkan). Istovremeno, ovo je prvi nalaz roda Triaenodes s Kosova. Ukupno je nađeno sedam mužjaka i tri ženke ove vrste. Vrsta Triaenodes bicolor rasprostranjena je na cijelom europskom kontinentu, ali je rijetko zabilježena u jugoistočnoj Europi. Ostale simpatrične vrste uz vrstu Triaenodes bicolor na istraživanom lokalitetu su: Hydropsyche instabilis, Hydropsyche spp., Plectrocnemia conspersa, Plectrocnemia spp., Micropterna nycterobia, Micropterna sequax, Limnephilus vittatus, Limnephilus auricula i Thremma anomalum.

New faunistic data on Trichoptera from Kosovo based on sampling carried out during the autumn of 2013 and first half of 2014 are presented. Limnephilus bipunctatus was found in a small stream in Kaqandoll village located in northern Kosovo and in Shtuticë village located in central Kosovo. Two male specimens of Limnephilus decipiens were found at Gurrat e Hasan Agës Springs and Bistrica e Lloqanit River, an alpine area in the Lloqan mountains, which belong to the Bjeshkët e Nemuna mountains. A single male specimen of Limnephilus stigma was found in Klinë, located in central Kosovo. All three species are rare in Kosovo. A preliminary checklist of eight species of Limnephilus from Kosovo is provided along with biogeographical and ecological notes. This paper is a further contribution to the faunistic list of Trichoptera of Kosovo, one of the least explored countries in Europe.

The Balkan endemic caddistly species Drusus osogovicus Kumanski, 1980, previously known only from the Bulgarian part of the transboundary Osogovo Mountain, is reported from the Republic of North Macedonia for the first time. The species is recorded at four localities in the country: two localities in the North-Macedonian part of Osogovo Mountain and two localities in the Karadak (Skopska Crna Gora) Mountain. In addition to the morphology-based taxonomic analyses of male and female genitalia, the identification is confirmed on the basis of DNA barcoding (partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene). The distribution of the species is restricted to low-temperature (6-9 degrees C) mountain springs, streams and rivers at altitudes of 1380-1608 m. The emergence period of D. osogovicus is identified as May - July, suggesting one-year life cycle of this species.