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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.

A long tradition of separate Nearctic and Palaearctic taxonomic studies of the diverse aleocharine rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) has obscured the recognition of Holarctic species and detection of adventive species in both regions. Recently, integrated study of the two regions through detailed morphological comparisons and development of an authoritatively identified DNA barcode reference library has revealed the degree to which these two aleocharine faunas are interconnected, both naturally and through human activity. Here this approach is adopted to recognize new species, reveal Holarctic species, and recognize adventive species in both North America and Europe. The following new species are described: Isoglossa triangularis Klimaszewski, Brunke & Pentinsaari, sp. nov. from British Columbia; Gnypeta impressicollis Klimaszewski, Brunke & Pentinsaari, sp. nov., from Ontario, Maryland and North Carolina; Aloconota pseudogregaria Klimaszewski, Brunke & Pentinsaari, sp. nov., from Ontario and Virginia; and Philhygra pseudolaevicollis Klimaszewski, Brunke & Pentinsaari, sp. nov. from eastern Canada. Dasygnypeta velata and Philhygra angusticauda are revealed to be Holarctic species, resulting in the following synonymies: Dasygnypeta velata (Erichson, 1839) = Gnypeta minuta Klimaszewski & Webster, 2008, syn. nov. and Philhygra angusticauda (Bernhauer, 1909) = Atheta (Philhygra) pinegensis Muona, 1983, syn. nov. The Nearctic species Hylota ochracea (and genus Hylota), Thecturota tenuissima, and Trichiusa robustula are newly reported from the Palaearctic region as adventive, resulting in the following synonymies: Hylota ochracea Casey, 1906 = Stichoglossa (Dexiogyia) forticornis Strand, 1939, syn. nov.; Thecturota tenuissima Casey, 1893 = Atheta marchii Dodero, 1922, syn. nov.; and Trichiusa robustula Casey, 1893 = T. immigrata Lohse, 1984, syn. nov. The Palaearctic species Amarochara forticornis, Anomognathus cuspidatus, Oligota pumilio, and Parocyusa rubicunda are newly confirmed from the Nearctic region as adventive, resulting in the following synonymies: Parocyusa rubicunda (Erichson, 1837) = Chilopora americana Casey, 1906, syn. nov. and Anomognathus cuspidatus (Erichson, 1839) = Thectura americana Casey, 1893, syn. nov. The genus Dasygnypeta, sensu nov. is newly reported from North America, Paradilacra is newly reported from eastern North America, and Haploglossa is newly reported from Canada, resulting in the following synonymy: Paradilacra densissima (Bernhauer, 1909) = Gnypeta saccharina Klimaszewski & Webster, 2008, syn. nov. Native Cyphea wallisi is newly reported from across Canada and C. curtula is removed from the Nearctic fauna. The status of both Gyrophaena affinis and Homalota plana is uncertain but these species are no longer considered to be adventive in North America. Three new combinations are proposed: Dasygnypeta baranowskii (Klimaszewski, 2020) and D. nigrella (LeConte, 1863) (both from Gnypeta) and Mocyta scopula (Casey, 1893) (from Acrotona). Dolosota Casey, 1910, syn. nov. (type species Eurypronota scopula Casey), currently a subgenus of Acrotona, is therefore synonymized with Mocyta Mulsant & Rey, 1874. Additionally, four new Canadian records and 18 new provincial and state records are reported.

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.

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.

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.

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

Camera traps (CT) were used in 2018 to assess the current state of the Przewalski’s horse (PH) population. Przewalski’s horses were introduced into the Ukrainian Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) in 1998. Up to 720 km2 (of the 2 600 km2 total CEZ area) were investigated between February and November 2018, however the assessment reported here was made between May–July when PH are more settled with regards to the territory used. Totally 137 PH were recorded in the Ukrainian part of the CEZ: 47 stallions, 66 mares (adult & fillies) and 24 foals (10 males, 4 females and 10 of unidentified gender). At least four more PH (stallion, 2 mares, 1 foal) are noted at a remote site in the Belarus CEZ (V. Dombrovsky, or. rep.). All foals were born April-July 2018. There were 13 harem herds with foals (3–16 individuals in total in each), four small non-breeding groups (2-3 individuals), ca. 6 stallion groups (2–6 individuals), and at least one solitary stallion. Harem and non-breeding herds generally kept to ca. 18 sites, stallion groups normally roamed. Two-three groups lived on territories which including both Ukrainian and Belorussian parts of the CEZ. During 2007–2010 PH crossed the river Prypiat and finally founded a local reproducing sub-population. Almost all PH are from the 2nd and higher generations, only two mares had a brand mark which identified the original introduced population. One herd (Ilintsy) includes a domesticate breed mare (in autumn she moved to a neighbouring group, in Stechanka, where in 2019 gave birth to a hybrid foal sired by the Ilintsy stallion). At least, two males (solitary stallion and colt) had signs of hybridization (i.e. PH and domesticated horse). Underestimation of the total PH population in our study is likely as not all appropriate sites were investigated. The total herd, as identified here, of PH grew seven-fold between 1998 and 2018. However, the rate of population increase between 2009–2018 was in 1.5 times less than that 1998–2008 previously reported. This reduced population growth rate was likely due to the changing age structure of the herd, the initial herd contained only older (more productive) mature mares, over time numbers of younger (less productive) mares increased. The present demographic indices and reproductive potential do not indicate any negative tendencies in the population development, and evidence the further fitness to the local conditions. PH are native to open steppe landscapes and our study confirms their preference to meadows in the CEZ. However, we observed that PH do not avoid forests. Reforestation of meadows and predominance of woodlands in the CEZ are obstacles for comprehensive monitoring of PH, and may contribute to an underestimation of the population size as direct visual observations do not work well in the woodlands. CT studies offer a solution to this problem. Фотопастки (ФП) використано у 2018 р. для оцінки поточного стану популяції коней Пржевальського (КП), інтродукованих до Чорнобильської зони відчуження (ЧЗВ) у 1998 р. Обстежено до 720 з 2600 км2 загальної площі у період з лютого до листопада, проте представлена тут оцінка зроблено для травня-липня, коли КП найбільш осілі. На український частині ЧЗВ нараховано 137 КП: 47 жеребців, 66 кобил (дорослих і незрілих), і 24 лоша (10 самців, 4 самки, і 10 невизначеної статі). Щонайменше 4 ще (жеребець, 2 кобили і 1 лоша) відмічені на віддаленій ділянці Білорусі (усн. повід. В. Домбровського). Всі лошати народилися у квітні–липні. Було 13 гаремних табунів з лошатами (по 3–16 особин в кожному), 4 малих нерепродуктивних табуни (2–3 ос.), близько 6 жеребцевих груп (2–6 ос.) і щонайменше один звичайно одинокий жеребець. Гаремні і нерепродуктивні табуни трималися на 18 ділянках. Жеребцові групи звичайно кочували. Дві-три групи жили на ділянках, що включають і українську, і білоруську частини. У 2007–2010 роках КП переткнули р. Прип’ять і остаточно сформували місцеву субпопуляцію. Майже всі КП відносяться до другого і вище покоління, лише дві кобили мають тавро отримане до інтродукції. Один табун у Іллінцях мав домашню кобилу (восени вона перейшла до сусідньої групи у Стечанці, де у 2019 р. принесла лоша від жеребця з Іллінців). Щонайменше 2 самця (один дорослий негаремний і один нестатевозрілий) мали ознаки гібридизації з домашнім конем. У даному досліджені можливе деяке заниження загальної оцінки поголів’я, оскільки не всі придатні ділянки були обстежені. Як визначене, поголів’я КП зросло у 7 разів з 1998 по 2018 рік. Проте, приріст у 2009–2018 роках був у 1,5 рази менший за той, про який повідомлялося у 1998–2008 роках. Таке уповільнення росту можливо стало результатом зміни вікової структури популяції. У первинній групі було більше зрілих і більш плодовитих кобил, тоді як з часом частка молодших і менш продуктивних кобил збільшилася. Теперішні демографічні показники та репродуктивний потенціал не мають ознак негативного розвитку популяції, і вказують на подальше пристосування КП до місцевих умов. КП є представниками відкритих степових комплексів, і наші дослідження підтверджують їх перевагу до луків ЧЗВ. Проте, ми виявили, що КП не уникають і лісів. Лісовідновлення і перевага лісових земель є головними перепонами для всебічного моніторингу КП, і можуть викликати заниження оцінок розміру популяції, оскільки можливості для прямих спостережень у лісі обмежені. ФП дозволяють вирішити цю проблему.

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 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.

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 anthropophytisation processes pose a real threat to the phytodiversity on the territory of Ukraine. To study the interpopulation variability and to analyze the factors leading to the excessive increase in quantity of the adventive species individuals in the conditions of anthropogenic transformation, we took as a model the invasion species on the territory of Ukraine: Solidago canadensis L. and Solidago gigantean Ait. According to the study of the morphological signs variability in local populations S. canadensis and S. gigantea in different ecological conditions, we have revealed that the morphometric signs (length of the ramet, number of leaves, length of inflorescences, number of flowers in the inflorescences) of the S. canadensis ramets are characterized by medium and high intrapopulations variability (V = 11.46-68.67 %), and S. gigantea ramets are characterized by insignificant and high levels of intrapopulation variability (V = 7.01-90.04 %), which correlates with unfavourable conditions of anthropogenically transformed habitats. According to the study results, we have discovered that the depressive vitality type, and, correspondingly, the low vitality level is common for the local populations of S. canadensis for ruderal biotopes of anthropogenic herb stands, ruderal biotopes of fallows on sand, highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations and fruit and nut tree orchards. Such a vitality type of S. canadensis populations is probably explained by the high level of digression of the above-mentioned biotopes. The local population of the ruderalized thickets of bushes is characterized by the comparatively high value of the vitality index, which is due to the favorable edaphic conditions. On the other hand, the local populations of S. gigantea of ruderal biotopes of anthropogenic herb stands, ruderal biotopes of fallows on sand, highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations, fruit and nut tree orchards and ruderalized thickets of bushes are characterized by a prosperous vitality type and, accordingly, a high level of vitality.

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).

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

Synopsis of adventive species of Coleoptera (Insecta) recorded from Canada. Part 5: Chrysomeloidea (Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, and Megalopodidae)

[∗Holarctic species, †adventive species, ‡species of uncertain distribution status—adventive in Canada or Holarctic, species without marks are native; numbers in brackets indicate number of species per taxon]

The article presents the results of study of floristic structure and productivity of the dry meadows preserved in the ravine and gully system in the Zmiiv District of the Kharkiv Region. The research was carried out at the model sites with floral composition and features of use typical for the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. It was established that the total phytocenosis productivity depends on the phytomass fluctuations of two main groups of plants, forbs and grasses. The flora of the studied meadows includes at least 87 vascular plant species. The ten main families altogether number 70 species (80.5 % of the species composition). The families Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl (23 species, 26.4 %), Fabaceae Lindl. (11 species, 12.6 %) and Poaceae Barnhart (8 species, 9.2 %) are presented best. This ratio of families is characteristic of herbaceous phytocenoses of the Holarctic floristic realm. The Poaceae family plays the leading role in the formation of meadow phytocenoses, since its members often dominate the main meadow formations. Analysis of the flora ecomorph spectrum revealed prevalence of a xerophilous group that includes meadow, meadow-steppe and steppe species. The obtained data indicate a rather significant xerophytization of the study area, which is typical for the growing conditions of the dry meadows located on the watersheds with atmospheric type of humidification only. Perennial herbaceous meadow-steppe and some ruderal species prevailed in the life form spectrum (77.0 %), which is characteristic of the meadow flora of the Kharkiv Region. Annual segetal weeds, introduced from neighboring fields, contribute significantly to the meadow flora (17.2 %), in particular, such adventive species as Ambrosia artemisifolia L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., and Cyclachaen axanthifolia (Nutt.) Fresen. The research of phytocenose productivity showed that the Poaceae proportion in the meadows with high productivity is usually about 35‒40 %. In the meadows with low productivity, it can exceed 50 % that is explained by the leading role of the family Poaceae in the formation of meadow phytocenoses under high xerophytization of the vegetation cover.

As part of ongoing surveys for native bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) across the Hawaiian Islands, we undertook targeted sampling at Pu’u Wa’awa’a Experimental Forest Unit, North Kona, on the northwestern part of Hawai‘i Island during February to April of 2018 and 2019. This is one of the few areas containing remaining native dry forest on the leeward, dry side of the island. Our sampling revealed the presence of seven species of bark beetles not previously recorded from Pu’u Wa’awa’a. These included two native and endemic Hawaiian species belonging to the genus Xyleborus Eichhoff (tribe Xyleborini). The other five species are the exotic Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867), or the coffee berry borer, belonging to the tribe Cryphalini, which is a serious pest of coffee in the Hawaiian Islands, and four widespread adventive species belonging to the tribe Xyleborini, including Xyleborus ferrugineus (Fabricius, 1801), whose frass has been demonstrated to be able to contain a fungus that is a causative agent of the plant disease Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death which currently poses a threat to native ʻōhiʻa lehua trees. These records are presented and discussed in detail, and the newly recorded species are illustrated in colour photographs., Fragmenta Entomologica, Vol. 51 No. 2 (2019)

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 %.

Long-term observations of the rates and pattern of changes in flora and vegetation contribute to understanding of one of the most important contemporary global problems, the eutrophication of water bodies. In this study, using classical floristic methods, we attempt to determine (for a period of almost 80 years) the nature and possible causes of changes in the floristic composition of the lakes of karst origin, Velikoe and Parovoe (Pustinskaya lake-river system, the right bank of Nizhny Novgorod oblast). The paper shows that over a long period of observations a significant transformation of the vegetation cover has occurred in the lakes. The process was accompanied by the disappearance of a number of native species and appearance of others, including adventitious ones (for example, Elodea canadensis Michx., Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Stapf, Bidens frondosa L. and Epilobium adenocaulon Hausskn.). The weak saturation of the flora with adventive species indicates that the reservoirs are subject to moderate anthropogenic transformation. This is also indicated by the presence of characteristic indicator species, for example, Najas minor All., Glyceria fluitans (L.) R. Br., Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. and Stratiotes aloides L. in the plant communities. In addition, the studied water bodies are subject to a further increase in the degree of eutrophication. This can be judged by scattered records of Potamogeton trichoides Cham. et Schlecht., the disappearance of a number of species (such as Elatine alsinastrum L. and Callitriche hermaphroditica L.), as well as the presence of a significant number of macrophyte indicators of the eutrophic state of water bodies. We suggest that a gradual increase in the trophicity of the studied water bodies is due to a combination of anthropogenic impact (water withdrawal for economic needs, recreational load), natural and climatic features of the region (alternation of high and low water periods) and the natural succession processes associated with the current fundamental changes in the conditions of the runoff formation in the Volga River basin. As a result of studies conducted by authors in 2014–2015, it has been shown that in general the taxonomic and ecological structures of the flora of both lakes are quite diverse and traditional for the territory and the European part of Russia. Meanwhile, the flora of these two reservoirs insignificantly differs in taxonomic composition, which is due to their individual morphometric characteristics, the physical and chemical properties of the aquatic environment, and the nature of the anthropogenic load. At the same time, the equilibrium balance of coastal and aquatic plants in the flora of Lake Parovoe (in contrast to Lake Velikoe) indicates a degree of successional stability of its floristic complex.

Stenopelmus rufinasus, a North American weevil introduced to Europe along with the invasive aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides, has been recorded from Poland for the first time. Its locality is a natural oxbow lake of the River Odra in Wrocław, the only city in Poland where A. filiculoides has been repeatedly recorded over the last dozen years. The diagnostic characters of this weevil species, its biology, current distribution in Europe and its prospects in Poland are discussed.

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.

Tree ferns are a remarkable group among the lycophytes and ferns. Geographical isolation is suggested as one of the main reasons for local endemism of tree ferns and the island of Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the best demonstration sites to observe this phenomenon. Despite its small size, Sri Lanka has a rich diversity and one of the highest levels of endemism of tree ferns in Asia. Their diversity here is considered as an unique and important gene pool in the world. The present eco-spatial survey is to study the diversity and ecology of tree ferns in Sri Lanka. The study identified nine tree fern species including one new record of an adventive species. The species are Cyathea hookeri, C. sinuata, C. sledgei, C. srilankensis, C. walkerae, C. crinita, C. gigantea, C. australis and Dicksonia antarctica. Of these, the first five species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis are exotic and naturalised in forest clearings in Piduruthalagala forest. Cyathea hookeri, C. sinuata, C. sledgei and C. srilankensis are confined to limited populations in lowland rainforests (62-550 m). Cyathea walkerae is distributed in a wide elevational range throughout the wet zone (30-2,300 m), whereas C. crinita shows a restricted distribution pattern at a high altitude range (1,800-2,400 m). In this study C. gigantea was recorded additionally from lowland rain forests, though it was previously reported to be confined to submontane and montane ecosystems. The results of this study provide baseline information on the distributional ecology of Sri Lankan Cyathea species. It will be useful to assess their current conservation status and to formulate conservation guidelines for these remarkable and spectacular ferns so characteristic to Sri Lanka.

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.

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.

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.

Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), is an invasive weed from southern China that is invasive in the Gulf states of the southeastern USA. One significant factor that contributes to the success of this weed has been the lack of herbivore species attacking it in the invaded range. However, the leafminer species Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was discovered feeding on Chinese tallowtree in Florida in 2008 and has now been found throughout much of the plant's invaded range. We monitored the seasonal abundance of C. triadicae populations and their associated parasitoids over 2 yr in Florida. Populations of C. triadicae peaked in Jun and Jul in 2013 and 2014. Parasitism averaged about 3.3% of larvae and pupae, with a peak of 12%. The most abundant parasitoid species was Goniozus sp. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (76% of all parasitoid individuals reared) and, second, Brasema sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) (18% of parasitoids). Due to specific niche requirements and the apparent exploitation of leaf mines by these parasitoid species, it is doubtful they will attack species being considered for biological control of Chinese tallowtree.

Two hundred and sixty-two adventive aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) have been previously reported in North America north of Mexico. We update this to include 25 previously unrecorded species, and include information on the location and date of first discovery, biogeographic origin, and economically important North American hosts for these species. The number of adventive species introduced per year has decreased overall since 1930.We discuss aphids intercepted at United States ports of entry and identified by the Systematic Entomology Laboratory from 2000–2016 and comment on how the composition of species intercepted may affect the adventive species that become established.

A new species of the phyline plant bug genus Rubrocuneocoris Schuh (Hetereroptera: Miridae) is described from Hawaii. Although known only from the Oahu and Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands, it is considered an adventive species originating from elsewhere in eastern Asia or the Indo-Pacific Region. A diagnosis, description, habitus images, and illustrations of male genitalia are provided to help distinguish this new species from the other 13 previously known species of the genus.

Three species of adventive beetles, Arthrolips fasciata (Erichson, 1842) from the family Corylophidae, Silvanoprus cephalotes (Reitter, 1876) and Psammoecus trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858 from the family Silvanidae, are recorded from the Caucasian region and from Russia for the first time. Psammoecus trimaculatus is the first recorded from Europe, and A. fasciata and S. cephalotes are first recorded from Eastern Europe.

This study demonstrates the power of DNA barcoding to detect overlooked and newly arrived taxa. Sixty-three species of Coleoptera representing 25 families are studied based on DNA barcode data and morphological analysis of the barcoded specimens. Three of the species involve synonymies or previous taxonomic confusion in North America, while the first Canadian records are published for 60 species. Forty-two species are adventive in North America, and 40 of these adventive species originate from the Palaearctic region. Three genera are recorded from the Nearctic region for the first time:CoelostomaBrullé, 1835 (Hydrophilidae),ScydmoraphesReitter, 1891 (Staphylinidae), andLythrariaBedel, 1897 (Chrysomelidae). Two new synonymies are established:Mycetoporus triangulatusCampbell, 1991 (Staphylinidae) is a junior synonym ofMycetoporus reicheiPandellé, 1869,syn. nov.whileBledius philadelphicusFall, 1919 (Staphylinidae) is a junior synonym ofBledius gallicus(Gravenhorst, 1806),syn. nov.The previously suggested move ofCtenicera tigrina(Fall, 1901) to the genusPseudanostirusDolin, 1964 (Elateridae) is formalized, resulting inPseudanostirus tigrinus(Fall, 1901),comb. nov.

Based on the results of field research, inventory of CWU herbarium collections and study of scientific sources it was carried out the sozological assessment of rare plant species as a part of the higher aquatic flora of the Kharkiv region according to generally accepted criteria of rarity. It has been found that four species (Salvinia natans (L.) All., Trapa natans L., Utricularia intermedia Hayne, U. minor L.) are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, the first two of which are in the Annex I of Bern Convention. The European Red List of Vascular Plants includes three species (Potamogeton acutifolius Link, P. rutilus Wolfg., Trapa natans), which have the conservation status “Near Threatened”. 27 plant species are in the Red List of Aquatic Macrophytes of Ukraine and 22 species are included in the Regional Red List of the Kharkiv region. It has been revealed that populations of six rare species (Batrachium aquatile (L.) Dumort., Potamogeton obtusifolius Mert. et Koch, P. rutilus Wolfg., Scirpus triqueter L., Vallisneria spiralis L., Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimmer) are on the border of the range. By the uniqueness for the region, one species (Salvinia natans) is considered as rare for Europe, 26 species are rare at the state level and 10 species are rare at the regional level. For 22 species there are known from one to five locations in the region. By the size of the habitat area, the most of cenopopulations of species occupy small areas (for 27 species it is less than 5 hectares). At present the location of 6 species has not been confirmed (Ceratophyllum tanaiticum Sapjeg., Potamogeton gramineus L., P. obtusifolius Mert.et W.D.J.Koch, P. praelongus Wulfen, P. sarmaticus Mäemets, Trapa natans). It has been established that populations of only 8 species are represented quite fully at the natural reserve areas of the region. On the basis of autphytosozological analysis we propose to include 22 species of vascular plants in the Regional Red List of the Kharkiv region and to exclude from it two species: Utricularia intermedia, which is in the Red Book of Ukraine and has the conservation status at the state level, and Vallisneria spiralis L., which is considered as adventive species.

The terrestrial isopod fauna of Maryland is inferred using the taxonomic literature, internet-based citizen science projects, and original collecting. Twenty-two species are either known or are likely to occur in the state. This includes 17 mostly-European adventive species that comprise the vast majority of records. Of the five expected native species, three occur in or near marine or estuarine littoral habitats and each has yet to be recorded or recorded from only a single locality. This situation likely reflects the long history of systematic work on the European fauna and the availability of keys for the identification of these taxa, which contrasts with the limited taxonomic work on native species. A taxonomic key, illustrations, and brief descriptions of species known or expected to occur in Maryland are provided.

Two species of Cryptophlebia: C. nota Kawabe and C. ombrodelta (Lower), are reported from Korea for the first time. This is in fact the first record of Cryptophlebia from Korea, as the previous Korean records of the genus were based on one species, Cryptophlebia hematoma Diakonoff, currently assigned to Thaumatotibia Zacher. Photos of the superficial and genital features are provided for the two Korean species of Cryptophlebia and their distribution and host plants are summarized. Cryptophlebia ombrodelta is recognized as an adventive species in Korea and a potential pest on leguminoseous crops.

Based on institutional collections, database records, literature and new field collections, 247 breeding host associations were found in New Zealand for the four species of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. The endemic Sigmothrips aotearoana bred only on indigenous plants (21 species). The three adventive species, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, Hercinothrips bicinctus and Parthenothrips dracaenae, bred on indigenous plants in native ecosystems and on other plants in and outside native ecosystems; 165, 52 and 9 species, respectively. Of the 172 plant genera, only 17 hosted more than one species. Several plant families and orders hosted only one thrips species; notably, S. aotearoana on Orchidaceae and Loganiaceae; Hercinothrips bicinctus on Compositae (Asteraceae) and Solanales; Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis on Cornales, Ericales, Fagales, Malvales, Poales, Pinales, Rosales and Vitales. The robustness and usefulness of the patterns of host plant associations for predicting plant species at risk could b...