Search

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is a host for several mite and insect pests, but the species of plant-parasitic psyllid Spanioneura fonscolombii has been observed in Romania for the first time in 2017. Subsequent research has shown that the species is much more spread, our data confirming its presence in western, eastern, and southern Romania. This is also the most south-eastern record of the species in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milesia crabroniformis was recorded for the first time in Romania, in Iron Gates Natural Park, in Iuți, Vodița, and Ilovița valleys. In the first case, the species was identified on the edge of a dirt road parallel to a small watercourse in a region covered with mostly oak forests and rocky areas. We captured an individual on the flowering vegetation situated between the road and the watercourse. These first records of M. crabroniformis are important because it is a southern, Mediterranean species, like many other species that are present in this protected area with a high conservation value. Anyway, M. crabroniformis is probably rare in this region, which probably represents its northern distribution range limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isophya posthumoidalis is a rare species native to Central Europe that is only found in a very small area of Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Since Bazyluk's description in 1971, it has been regarded as endemic to the Eastern Bieszczady mountains. In 1976, we discovered this species in Zakarpattia Province (Transcarpathia, Ukraine), but the records were not published, because there were no males available. Due to the analysis of a male's acoustical signals in 2022, further confirmation was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sabanejewia romanica was recorded for the first time on the territory of Serbia in three direct tributaries of the Danube River (Rečka River, Slatinska River and Zamna River). This is the first record of the species outside Romania, the westernmost point of its occurrence and the first verified record of the species from the right tributaries of the Danube River. Genetic characterisation of the Serbian specimens showed that they are the most related to the Romanian S. romanica, with a high recorded net evolutionary divergence between them. Further studies with included populations from the whole geographical range of S. romanica should provide an accurate picture of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relations within the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global phenomenon of biological invasion is a prevailing and important subject of research, with major negative social and economic consequences, representing a real threat for the native biodiversity of invaded countries. The main elements that favour the entering and spreading of invasive insect pest species into new territories are the intensive trade of goods between different regions, tourism and the on-going climate changes which are predicted to become more severe. Early detection and monitoring of the invasive organisms are essential steps of the foundation of an appropriate and efficient management. The problem of alien invasive species, especially those of agricultural importance, has been an on-going concern for the community of researchers at the Research and Development Institute for Plant Protection in Bucharest, Romania, who have made it the subject of numerous studies and research papers published and incorporated in national and international journals and projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garella musculana (Erschov, 1874) is an important walnut pest originating in Central Asia. It was found in 2008 in Ukraine, and more recently in Turkey and Bulgaria. The Asian walnut moth was observed in Romania during studies conducted in Albesti and Arsa province between 2018 and 2020. G. musculana was observed on both saplings and 50‐year‐old walnut (Juglans regia) trees in Romania. This paper presents the first record for Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omyomymar andriescui sp. n. from Romania is described and illustrated. This is the first record of Omyomymar Schauff, 1983 in Europe. The taxonomic characters of this species, its habitat and distribution are detailed and commented. The key to the species of this genus is modified from Lin & Chiappini (1996), to include the new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very rare Uropodina mite species; Uroobovella hungarica Hirschmann & Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1962 was discovered in several parts (e.g. Transylvania, Oltenia) of Romania. A new description is given accompanied with several characters not investigated earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In September 2011 we identified a killed specimen of Eryx jaculus on the road between the towns of Turnu Magurele and Corabia, in southern Romania. This seems to be the first record of the species north of the Danube. Although surprising, the identification of E. jaculus in the area is interpreted in the light of the presence of other species of herpetofauna in the Danube floodplain with similar ecological requirements, reaching here their northern distribution limit. Survival of the species appears to be favoured by the existence of some protected areas in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit a new rabbit breed, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) is currently in forming in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania. According to the Standards 2003 for the judgment of the exhibition rabbit acknowledged by European Association, regarding the body weight, the Rabbit of Cluj fits in the medium size breeds, with a minimum of 3.50 kg and a maximum of 5.50 kg limit. Yet, there is no other breed that rake together the Chinchilla color pattern with a New Zealand White show phenotype. Because for commercial meat production, the New Zealand White appears to be the principal breed, the genetic improvement of the Rabbit of Cluj will follow the same means of the commercial rabbits (prolificacy, milk yield, maternal instinct, weaned kits, number of valorified young's/doe, growth rate, forage capitalization, slaughter indicators, advantageousness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One species of Asellota (Asellus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758) and four Amphipods (Gammarus balcanicus Schäferna, 1922, Gammarus leopoliensis Jaźdźewksi & Konopacka, 1989 Niphargus elegans Garbini, 1894 and Niphargus puteanus baloghi Dudich, 1940) are presented. The occurrence of the Gammarus leopoliensis is the first record from Romania. With 18 figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although occupying a vast area, the distribution range of Saga pedo is f ragmented and populations are small, severely threatened by habitat destruction and pollution. In Romania, the species is known to occur in xeric and semi-xeric meadows from Dobrogea, Eastern Moldavia, Transylvania and Banat. During a short trip in late June 2014, we found three nymphs of Saga pedo at Berca Mud Volcanoes, the first record of the species in the historical region of Muntenia (Southern Romania). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]