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A fundamental prerequisite for understanding and protecting biodiversity is the construction of a high-quality faunal database. The primary objective of this study was to address knowledge gaps in the biodiversity of the family Psychodidae in Estonia. Faunistic data on 45 species of moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Estonia are presented, including 30 new country-records. Sixteen species are considered important for nature conservation. An updated checklist of the family, comprising 71 species, is provided for the Baltic countries. Habitus photographs of selected Estonian species are also included.

Epidermoptidae (Acariformes: Astigmata) are permanent ectoparasites of birds; representatives of some genera have evolved phoretic associations with louse flies (Hippoboscidae). Moreover, mites of some genera hyperparasitise their phoretic carriers, using them for oviposition and in some cases for feeding. In the course of research focused on bird migrations and avian ectoparasites carried out in Eastern Slovakia in 2022 and 2023, we collected 76 hippoboscid flies of 7 species from 71 birds of 20 species; of these flies, 6 individuals (8 %) were parasitised by epidermoptid mites. Promyialges italicus Faradonbeh et al., 2019 was found on the wings of Ornithomya avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758) and O. biloba Dufour, 1827, both from barn swallow, Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758. Myialges anchora Sergent and Trouessart, 1907 was found on the abdomens of louse flies of three species: Ornithoica turdi (Olivier in Latreille, 1811), Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, and O. avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758) from the three different avian hosts: Lanius collurio Linnaeus, 1758, Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758, respectively. Promyialges italicus has been recorded on a host other than Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart in Webb and Berthelot, 1839) for the first time. Neither species of this mite has been reported in Slovakia.

An understudied ecosystem such as a rural area can hold many surprises. In this paper we report the results of a collection at a rural site in eastern Slovakia using a single Malaise trap over a five-month period. From May to September 2023, 70 species of the Diptera family Phoridae were found there, 19 of which represent new species for the Slovak fauna (one sp. of the genus Aenigmatias and 18 spp. of the genus Megaselia). The species richness of the Phoridae fauna in Slovakia has thus increased by almost 9% to 229 species. It is very likely that more intensive research will yield many more interesting records and greatly increase our knowledge of Slovakia’s biodiversity.

The hippoboscids play important roles in ecosystem functioning and can serve as indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health. These bloodsucking ectoparasites are important from a public health perspective, as they can serve as vectors of various endoparasitic pathogens in animals and humans, although our understanding is still limited in this case. The current study provides information on the host species and distribution, which can contribute to the understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these important arthropods with a potential impact on both animal and human health. We present an ecological parasite-host interaction network of louse flies and deer keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) collected from various sites in Slovakia from this time. A total of 123 new samples of eight hippoboscid fly species were captured on 17 species, including 15 birds and two mammals. New host-parasite interactions were recorded for the first time.

This paper attempts to fill the gaps in knowledge about the biodiversity of some winter-active fly families from snowfields and caves in Vârghiș, Romania. A total of 15 fly species were recorded from caves and 9 species from snowfields. Exechiopsis (Exechiopsis) pseudindecisa Lastovka et Matile, 1974 and Rymosia placida Winnertz, 1863 from caves and Mycetophila mitis (Johannsen, 1912) (all Mycetophilidae) from snow represent the first records for Romania. Habitus photographs of these three species are provided.

The checklist of louse flies or keds from the family Hippoboscidae in Romania with 14 species is given. Among them, six species have been newly recorded from Romania, from Natura 2000 site “Dunele Marine de la Agigea” Natural Reserve; namely: Icosta minor (Bigot in Thomson, 1858), Ornithoica turdi (Olivier in Latreille, 1812), Ornithomya chloropus Bergroth, 1901, Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, Ornithophila gestroi (Rondani, 1878), and Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864). Out of the total, seven species are autochthonous, while the other seven are probably non-native species, either spreading invasively or only occasionally being imported to Romania or migrating to the country along with their hosts. Three new host-parasite associations have been reported for the first time. Specifically, the eastern olivaceous warbler Iduna pallida (Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833) represents new host species for I. minor and O. turdi, while the willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758) represents a new host species for O. gestroi.

The identity and distribution of a neglected fungus gnat species, Rymosia tolleti Burghele-Balacesco, 1965, in Europe is reviewed based on examination of newly collected specimens as well as available museum mate-rials. Rymosia tolleti is widespread but rather rare in Central Europe, with confirmed records from Romania, Slo-vakia, Germany, and France. All the specimens with known collection details originate from cave environments. Detailed photographs of the male terminalia are provided for the first time, along with two unique DNA barcodes for the species.

Ptychoptera xanthopleura Dvořák, Oboňa & Manko, sp. nov. from Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Ptychoptera staryi Dvořák, Oboňa & Manko, sp. nov. from Bulgaria are described. P. xanthopleura sp. nov. differs from the other member of the lacustris group mainly by having almost completely yellow pleurae, and by the shape of the epandrium and gonocoxites. The diagnostics of P. staryi sp. nov. and P. incognita Török, Kolcsár & Keresztes, 2015 based on male genitalia are provided.

The rare European species Atrichobrunettia (Mirousiella) graeca Ježek et Goutner, 1993 and the invasive species Clogmia albipunctata (Williston, 1893) (both Diptera: Psychodidae) are newly recorded from “Dunele Marine de la Agigea” Nature Reserve from Romania. The updated checklist of non-Phlebotomine species of the family Psychodidae for Romania with 53 species is given.

This paper attempts to fill the knowledge gaps in biodiversity of non-biting moth flies in the Caucasus (especially in Abkhazia) and create a suitable basis for subsequent (not only) ecological studies. In total, records of 65 Psychodidae (Sycoracinae - one sp., Psychodinae 64 spp., altogether 33 genera) species/subspecies are presented based on specimens collected mainly in Abkhazia, with some additional data from Armenia, Georgia, and Russia (12 new records). The Psychodidae fauna of Abkhazia now comprises 57 species, 31 of which are newly listed here. The Caucasus region (including the territory of Abkhazia presented here) should be considered the most biologically rich and most endangered region in the world, with an exceptional richness of endemic and endangered species also from the point of view of psychodids biodiversity. Sixteen extremely rare species in this family (probably Caucasus or highland endemics) which need to be given increased attention, whether from the point of view of island ecology or biodiversity protection, have been herein confirmed.

The available keys for European Hippoboscidae are outdated and do not cover all species currently known from Europe. Therefore, identification keys to the eleven genera and 31 species of the European hippoboscids are provided here. Ornithomya comosa (Austen, 1930) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is recorded for the first time from the territory of Slovakia based on one female found on a sand martin, Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758). The list of keds and louse flies recorded from the territory of Slovakia is increased to 20 species. New host records for Slovakia are presented.

Abstract Background Invasive mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are quickly spreading around the world. The presence of these alien species is concerning for both their impact on the native biodiversity and their high vector competence. The surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species is one of the most important steps in vector-borne disease control and prevention. Methods In 2020, the monitoring of AIM species was conducted in five areas (Bratislava, Zvolen, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Košice) of Slovakia. The sites were located at points of entry (border crossings with Austria and Hungary) and in the urban and rural zones of cities and their surroundings. Ovitraps were used at the majority of sites as a standard method of monitoring. The collected specimens were identified morphologically, with subsequent molecular identification by conventional PCR (cox1) and Sanger sequencing. The phylogenetic relatedness of the obtained sequences was inferred by the maximum likelihood (ML) method. The nucleotide heterogeneity of the Slovak sequences was analysed by the index of disparity. Results A bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus, was found and confirmed by molecular methods in three geographically distant areas of Slovakia—Bratislava, Zvolen and Prešov. The presence of AIM species is also likely in Košice; however, the material was not subjected to molecular identification. The nucleotide sequences of some Slovak strains confirm their significant heterogeneity. They were placed in several clusters on the ML phylogenetic tree. Moreover, Ae. j. japonicus was discovered in regions of Slovakia that are not close to a point of entry, where the mosquitoes could find favourable habitats in dendrothelms in city parks or forests. Conclusion Despite being a first record of the Ae. j. japonicus in Slovakia, our study indicates that the established populations already exist across the country, underlining the urgent need for intensified surveillance of AIM species as well as mosquito-borne pathogens. Graphical Abstract

Records of 46 Psychodidae (Sycoracinae 1, Trichomyiinae 1, Psychodinae 44) species/subspecies are presented in this paper based on specimens collected by sweep-netting in Azerbaijan and Georgia in 2019. Nine species are recorded for the first time since their original description; 12 species are new for Transcaucasia; 22 species are new for Azerbaijan; and 17 species are new for Georgia. Saraiella ressli montana Ježek, 1990 is proposed as a synonym of S. ressli Wagner, 1983, syn. nov. Knowledge of some aspects of the ecology and biogeography of selected (especially rare) species has been expanded and a clear pattern was found in species richness, rare species, and new records in relation to land use, habitat diversity, and preservation of the environment surrounding the sampling site.

Psychodid specimens from one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots – the Caucasus region – were sorted from samples collected during field work in 2019. Pneumia fuehzulii sp. nov. (from two localities in Azerbaijan) and Thornburghiella salihi sp. nov. (from one locality in Azerbaijan and four sites in Georgia) are described from this material. Differential diagnoses are given and some morphological characters illustrated. Sijaricia Krek, 1999, syn. nov. of Thornburghiella Vaillant, 1982 is proposed and T. erinacea (Krek, 1971) comb. nov. from Ulomyia Walker, 1856 is suggested.

We have studied the fauna of several Diptera families caught with beer traps. In this paper, 36 species from 12 Diptera families are reported: four species of Anisopodidae, one species of Bibionidae, one species of Clusiidae, two species of Dryomyzidae, 11 species of Lauxaniidae, five species of Limoniidae, one species of Megamerinidae, three species of Pallopteridae, one species of Piophilidae, one species of Platystomatidae, four species of Sciomyzidae, and two species of Ulidiidae. From these species, three are new for Russia (Calliopum splendidum, Homoneura biumbrata, Sapromyza schnabli, all Lauxaniidae), two new for European Russia (Sylvicola fuscatoides (Anisopodidae), Myennis sibirica (Ulidiidae)). For the Republic of Mordovia and the Mordovia State Nature Reserve, the families Anisopodidae, Clusiidae, Megamerinidae, Pallopteridae, Piophilidae, Platystomatidae, Ulidiidae, and all Lauxaniidae species published in this list are recorded for the first time. Two species from the family Limoniidae (Achyrolimonia neonebulosa and Discobola parvispinula) and three species from the family Sciomyzidae (Euthycera chaerophylli, Tetanocera ferruginea and T. freyi) are recorded for the first time for the territory of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve. Beer traps can be recommended as one of the successful methods for future surveys of Diptera in the area of interest.

Current taxonomical keys are essential for better biodiversity knowledge. Moreover, accurate identification of groups of organisms known to act as disease vectors is vital in today’s world of change and the spread of zoonotic disease threats. This is especially relevant to bats and their parasites, given the events of recent years. The available keys of European Nycteribiidae (Diptera) are outdated and do not cover all the species currently known from Europe. Therefore, a summary key of 16 European species is provided in this paper. Based on published data from Europe, a total of 173 host–parasite interactions were observed between 16 European bat fly species and 31 host species (bats). The highest number of associations with different host species and the lowest specialization was observed in Penicillidia (P.) dufourii dufourii, followed by Nycteribia (N.) kolenatii, N. (N.) schmidlii and Phthiridium biarticulatum; most of the other species also had low specialization. Most species are oligoxenous, parasitizing on several families, and three species are stenoxenosus. Only one nycteribiid species, Basilia daganiae, was linked with only one host (Pipistrellus kuhlii). Myotis myotis has 12 associations with different bat fly species, followed by Plecotus auritus and Myotis daubentonii with 12 associations. A relatively high number of bat species were associated with only one bat fly species. In addition, we performed a bipartite analysis complemented by network indices and host specificity at the species and whole network levels, yielding new information in terms of ecology and the host–parasite relationships related to these groups of potential vectors (Nycteribiidae) and sources of zoonoses (bats). The parasite–host network composed of 16 nycteribiid species and 31 bat host species was characterized by a low network level specialization, low modularity, and low nestedness. Our findings also suggest a high probability of associated Nycteribiidae in bat taxa with a similar roosting ecology and phylogenetic relationship.

Two new species of the genus Molophilus Curtis, 1833 are described, Molophilus (Molophilus) rohaceki sp. nov. (Italy: Calabria) and M. (M.) soldani sp. nov. (Azerbaijan), and their male terminalia are illustrated.

The list of all known locality and host records from the literature on louse flies from Slovakia are summarized, with the addition of new collection data. New locality data are provided for five species. Three species are added to the Slovakian list: Icosta minor (Bigot in Thomson, 1858), which was erroneously cited for Moravia instead of Slovakia in the previous checklist, and Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864) and Ornithomya chloropus (Bergroth, 1901), which were overlooked from the last checklist. As a result, the louse fly fauna of Slovakia increases to 19 species: 12 autochtonous species and seven rare, non-native species only occasionally imported to Slovakia or migrating to the country with their hosts. This is by far the largest regional fauna of Hippoboscidae in Central Europe, and matches the richest southern European faunas. In total, 78 host-parasite associations concerning 46 bird-host species from eight orders and nine species of mammals, including humans, have been found from a literature review in Slovakia. Two host-parasite associations are reported from Slovakia for the first time: Ornithomya avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758) on Prunella modularis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Prunellidae) and Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965 on Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Hominidae).

All credible and available published records for 17 species of moth flies known so far from Armenia (Phlebotominae 11 species, Psychodinae 6 species) and Azerbaijan (Phlebotominae 18 species) are summarized. The first records of 18 species of Psychodinae (tribes Mormiini, Paramormiini, Psychodini, Pericomaini) from Armenia and 6 new faunistic records (tribes Psychodini, Pericomaini) for the fauna of Azerbaijan are listed. The checklist of recent moth flies from Armenia includes now 35 species, and from Azerbaijan, 24 species.

All important published records for 11 moth fly species known so far from Ukraine are reviewed (Phlebotominae 10 species, Psychodinae 1 species). Occurrences of two problematic taxa, Phlebotomus (Adlerius) brevis Theodor & Mesghali, 1964 and P. (Larroussius) major major Annandale, 1910, and some synonymies are discussed. Threticus negrobovi Vaillant, 1972 must be deleted for Ukraine (misstatement). First records of 34 species of Psychodinae (tribes Mormiini, Paramormiini, Psychodini, Pericomaini) and one of Sycoracinae from Ukraine are also listed.

Three moss (Pleurosium spp., Polytrichum spp., Rhytidiadelphus spp.) and two lichen taxa (Hypogymnia physodes L., Pseudevernia furfuracea L.), were exposed for four weeks in six petrol stations, two consecutive years (2015-2016), in urban area of the Prešov city (Slovakia), to assess accumulation of selected airborne elements Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Significantly highest (P < 0.01) ability to accumulate Zn, Ni, Co and Fe was found in Pleurosium spp.; Pseudevernia furfuracea was determined the best accumulator of Hg, whereas Rhytidiadelphus spp. was found as the least suitable for this purpose. No significant differences in heavy metal accumulation between moss and lichen taxonomic group were found. Samples of conifer (used as a moss/lichen bag holder) showed significantly lower content of heavy metals compared to mosses and lichens. Major content of heavy metals trapped in the air around petrol stations, did not originate from the petrol combustion, but predominantly from the car body, which is mechanically disrupted during fuelling.

The scarce European dance fly Chelifera aperticauda Collin, 1927 (Diptera: Empididae: Hemer­odromiinae) is recorded for the first time from Slovakia. One male was found in the Pieniny Mts. The distribution and habitats of this species are reviewed and briefly discussed.

New and additional faunistic records for 13 species of Dolichopodidae were given from Azerbaijan and Georgia. The species richness of Azerbaijan increased to 92 taxa as Sybistroma transcaucasica (Stackelberg, 1941) and Thinophilus quadrimaculatus Becker, 1902 are the new records for the Azerbaijan territory. Campsicnemus marginatus Loew, 1857, Sybistroma transcaucasica (Stackelberg, 1941) and Tachytrechus hamatus Loew, 1871 are recorded for the first time in Georgia and the species diversity increased to 74 taxa. and additional faunistic records for 13 species of Dolichopodidae were given from Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The loss of bees is a relatively well-known worldwide phenomenon. Many papers examine the direct influence of different factors on global bees lost. However, a look at this problem with the intentions of host-parasite-environment interactions is rare. This paper post tries to prove possible connections among bees, their parasites and landscape structure. During the research at 27 suitable sites across Slovakia, Nosema spp. spores were detected in two samples (7.41 % of examined apiaries) and Varroa destructor in a total of 41 % of samples (mean prevalence of 0.57). Significant differences were found in mites infestation in altitudes up to 500 m and over 500 m, and at sites with different ES. Considering the landscape structure, Varroa infestation was significantly positively influenced by the presence of discontinuous urban fabrics.

Ukraine is on the invasion front of spotted-wing Drosophila suzuki (Matsumura, 1931) spreading in Europe. Despite this globally important pest was confirmed only on the southernmost tip of its territory, recently published species distribution models expect its occurrence also in other Ukrainian regions. Therefore, we conducted two-year monitoring (2018-2019) during the whole fruit ripening season; samples were collected on the whole Ukrainian territory; standard bait traps and active capture by an insect net were employed. Individuals of the species were recorded only at the end of the vegetation season (August–October) and only in the westernmost part of Ukraine (Transcarpathian region); in the region predicted by recent ecological niche modeling. The late occurrence of D. suzuki probably reflects the presence of suitable food/fruit for the larvae at the end of the growing season. Our results confirm the importance of monitoring of this pest, together with the investigation of factors that may affect its invasion.

Abstract  Rapid solidification processing (with a cooling rate in the interval 105–106 K s−1) was used to prepare deeply undercooled cryolite–alumina melts. These samples were analyzed by XRD, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. Besides cryolite, the amorphous phase and a low amount of ι-Al2O3 were detected. Annealing of the quenched sample revealed the transformation of metastable amorphous phases into different products depending on the annealing conditions. The results obtained showed that all of the elements (Na, Al, O, and F) are probably present in the amorphous parts of the quenched samples. Graphical Abstract   [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of Diptera families Empididae and Hybotidae from 25 selected sites in Slovakia is presented. The checklist comprises 91 taxa (51 species of family Empididae and 40 species of family Hybotidae) including the first records of Platypalpus eximius (Oldenberg, 1924) and P. optivus (Collin, 1926) from family Hybotidae, and Hilara lugubris (Zetterstedt, 1819), H. sturmii Wiedemann in Meigen, 1822 and Rhamphomyia (Holoclera) caliginosa Collin, 1926 from family Empididae.