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This article presents a study of the isolated population of the scarce large blue butterfly, which is facing a significant threat in the meadows of the central part of Slovakia. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of management, the presence of great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis (L.)), and the host ants on the abundance of Phengaris teleius in the Hradné lúky Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Slovakia. The study area was divided into six study plots. The abundance of S. officinalis host plant and ant communities, with emphasis on host ants (Myrmica scabrinodis (Nylander, 1846) and M. rubra (Linnaeus, 1758)), were analysed at each study plot. A generalized linear model (GLM) identified the significant relationships among three variables. Specifically, a relationship was confirmed between the number of P. teleius individuals and the abundance of the host plant S. officinalis, as well as between the number of P. teleius individuals and the current type of management at the specific biotope. The most important conservation recommendations regarding this study have been presented. Implications for insect conservation: Our results indicate that in the protection of P. teleius, it is important to support the abundance of S. officinalis as highly as possible. In addition, we confirm that targeted management with the absence of mowing in the critical phase of the year, especially in the Molinia meadows, is important for maintaining a healthy butterfly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As anthropogenic pressures continue to increase, generalist species tend to be more resilient than specialised species. Specialisation can take various forms, among else dependence on other species through biotic interactions. Some Lycaenid butterflies (gossamer‐winged butterflies: blues, coppers and hairstreaks; Lycaenidae Leach, 1815)) rely on host ants for larval care and survival (myrmecophily). This dependence may pose an additional threat.To investigate whether myrmecophily is associated with the long‐term trends of Lycaenids, we compared 40‐year occupancy trends derived from occupancy‐detection models of ant‐independent, facultative and obligate myrmecophile Lycaenidae in a central European model region.Contrary to our expectations, obligate myrmecophile butterflies did not show more declines compared to ant‐independent ones. Five out of seven obligate myrmecophile butterflies increased, while five out of eight ant‐independent Lycaenids decreased. Trends among facultative butterflies were highly ambiguous. The differences between the groups were not significant.Although obligate myrmecophile butterflies are protected significantly more often under stricter rules, the degree of protection did not affect Lycaenid long‐term trends.European obligate myrmecophile butterflies interact with several ant species within widespread genera (primarily Myrmica Latreille, 1804, also Formica Linnaeus, 1758 and Lasius Fabricius, 1804) potentially protecting the larvae against environmental impacts and thus mitigating the effects of changing conditions on the butterflies. Incomplete understanding of the varying degrees of ant affiliation hinders the identification of specific interactions that may require increased conservation efforts.In our rapidly changing world, monitoring changes in the opportunities and strengths of species interactions is needed to prevent coupled species' extinctions and improve conservation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native seed mixes are widely available to create pollinator habitat. One approach to understand the efficacy of pollinator seed mixes is to compare them to species found in high‐quality natural areas. Using plant species presence data from published lists, we compared weekly blooming richness between 196 seed mixes explicitly designed to support pollinators and 102 prairie remnants from eight states across the Midwest. Remnants had greater forb richness compared to mixes and had at least twice the blooming richness per week. Seed mixes included low proportions of species that bloomed in the spring (0–13% of species), whereas about 28% of remnant forbs bloomed before June. There was a sharp phenological blooming peak for mixes due to the vast majority of species blooming in late July through August, whereas remnants had greater phenological evenness across the growing season. We then investigated all observed early blooming plant species to identify the species best suited to alleviate the dissimilar spring blooming characteristics. We compiled 10 species characteristics that reflected species' feasibility for cultivation and restoration and blooming attributes, identifying a group of underutilized and commercially unavailable species. Pollinator seed mixes should facilitate blooming availability for the duration of the growing season to meet pollinator foraging requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Location Methods Results Main Conclusions Rapid loss in global insect diversity has generated substantial public worry due to their critical ecological roles. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of the global‐scale hotspots in guiding the conservation of diversity at the regional scale. Even worse, little is known about the knowledge of insect distributional dynamics in many understudied regions, such as East and Southeast Asia. Here, to guide for setting regional‐scale conservation priorities for insect diversity, we explore hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) for their distributional dynamics and identify regional hotspots requiring protection.South China (including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macau) and northern Vietnam (17°~26.5° N, 102°~117.5° E).Species distribution models were generated for 194 hawkmoth species based on 3597 occurrence records to predict their distributions. We calculated the spatial patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and identified regional hotspots. Furthermore, the potential assembly mechanisms underlying insect diversity were explored by analysing the rates of speciation, extinction and dispersal between phyloregions.(a) The coastal regions of South China and northern Vietnam represent a regional hotspot of hawkmoths in East and Southeast Asia, with significantly higher α‐diversity than that in inland regions. (b) Dispersal played a more important role than local speciation and extinction in the formation of regional hawkmoth hotspots.In this study, the ‘Out‐of‐the‐tropics model’ can explain the formation of the hawkmoth regional hotspots and the enhanced version of the ‘Pure dispersal model’ can explain the formation of the hotspots in Hainan Island. Compared with the local speciation and extinction, dispersal is the main driving factor that promoted the formation of the regional biodiversity hotspot of hawkmoths in South China. The case of Hainan Island suggests that protection within hotspots needs to account for specific regional macro‐evolutionary dynamics rather than indiscriminate coverage of identified hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, major efforts have been seen toward conservation of insects as potential taxa for understanding changing habitats and the survival of many other organisms, including humans. One of the most widely appreciated and studied groups of insects is the butterflies, which has prompted scientists and conservationists to develop unique strategies to conserve these organisms. The creation of habitats with plants preferred by the local butterfly population has given rise to "butterfly gardens", which has become a popular concept throughout the world. We conducted this study in one of the first established butterfly gardens in the vicinity of a forest patch in northern West Bengal, India. We generated a preliminary database of visitor and reared butterfly species, documented early stages of the butterflies, categorized the roles of different plants in the garden and observed butterfly abundance and diversity in the garden. We also briefly discuss the benefits of these butterfly gardens as refuges for butterflies, as an education center which can focus on bottom-up conservation initiatives, and some of the hurdles that are generally faced by these gardens in a sensitive zone such as a forest fringe in a biodiversity-rich country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The European Alps host many species of dung beetles that feed on domestic and wild ungulate's dung and provide many benefits to agricultural ecosystems. However, it is not clear whether dung beetles will feed on the dung of species introduced for commercial purposes from other geographical areas. Here, we investigated dung beetle feeding preferences by providing them with cow (local) and alpaca (introduced) dung in four pastures along an altitudinal gradient. We found that the number of species and abundance in the alpaca dung equals or exceeds those found in the cow dung. Moreover, some species showed clear preferences for alpaca dung while few preferred cow dung. Overall, our results suggest that dung beetle plasticity in feeding habits allows them to readily exploit the dung of introduced species and that alpaca dung can help maintain dung beetle richness in the studied area. Dung beetles mostly feed on mammal dung. Throughout the European Alps, the dung produced by local domestic ungulates attracts many species of dung beetles, giving rise to rich and diversified communities that play an important role in the Alpine agricultural ecosystem. There is, therefore, understandable concern about the introduction of exotic livestock, such as alpacas (Vicugna pacos (Linnaeus, 1758)), into the region. This research studied dung beetle assemblages in an Alpine valley where both cattle and alpacas are raised. We used standardized pitfall traps baited with alpaca or cow dung along altitudinal transects to assess the "attractiveness" of the two resources to dung beetles. Most species entered both trap types. The average number of species per trap did not vary significantly and the nMDS trap ordination largely overlapped, but the total number of individuals and the average number of individuals per trap were higher in traps baited with alpaca dung. This difference was largely due to the preference of the dominant species Euheptaulacus carinatus (Germar, 1824) for alpaca dung-baited traps. Moreover, both the abundance and specific richness changed with altitude, being greatest in alpaca traps during July at intermediate altitudes. IndVal analyses showed that eight out of nine species (all Aphodiinae) showed a preference for alpaca traps. Since the microclimatic conditions (i.e., temperature) of the two trap types were virtually the same, it is reasonable to consider trophic preferences as the source of the observed differences. Finally, we also sampled the beetles present in the alpaca latrines and cow dung pats deposited on pastures, providing confirmation that dung beetles do indeed visit the dung of both species. Our results emphasize the usefulness of polyphagia and the trophic flexibility of dung beetles, providing evidence that the long history of pastoralism in the Alps has not led local species to adapt to the dung of domestic ungulates. The results also suggest that alpaca breeding could be a sustainable activity since, thanks to the work of dung beetles which feed upon and move the dung into their tunnels (as occurs with cattle dung), there is less need for farmers to remove the dung from pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic map is a structured method for reviewing and categorizing research evidence on a scientific topic, offering a broad overview without requiring quantitative synthesis. Unlike systematic reviews, which focus on answering specific research questions, systematic maps help identify trends, gaps, and patterns in literature. This approach has gained increasing recognition in entomology, particularly for providing unbiased insights in fields such as medical entomology and insect biodiversity conservation. By mapping existing studies, systematic maps aid in guiding policy decisions and research priorities. This study presents a systematic map of research on olive fruit fly [(Bactrocera oleae) (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] control methods, a key pest in olive cultivation. By reviewing literature from the past sixteen years, we aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the various strategies tested for managing B. oleae. The main objectives are to categorize the types of studies, assess their scope, and identify trends or gaps in pest control research. The results offer a clearer understanding of the current state of knowledge and suggest directions for future research. This systematic map will serve as a valuable resource for entomologists and policymakers working on sustainable pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a short tribute to the late Dr. David Lonsdale, who passed away on April 9, 2024. Dr. Lonsdale was a respected consultant, author, and educator specializing in trees, with a significant impact on the field of arboriculture. The tribute highlights his contributions to the study of trees, his ethical nature, and his lasting legacy in the tree community. The document includes personal reflections from colleagues and friends, emphasizing Dr. Lonsdale's modesty, kindness, and profound influence on the profession. [Extracted from the article]

One threat pollinators face in a rapidly changing climate is the decoupling of their activity period from the blooming period of their host plants. Pollinators active in the earliest part of spring may be especially susceptible, as there are few alternative food resources available if they become active before their host plants begin blooming. Thus, urban landscapes, although often associated with decreased insect biodiversity, may buffer pollinators from such food shortages by offering a diversity of both native and exotic plant species that bloom in the late winter and early spring. However, more data are needed to ascertain the degree to which pollinators utilize flowers of spring-blooming exotic species. Here, we surveyed flower-visiting Hymenoptera and Diptera on 26 flowering plant taxa in three urban botanical gardens in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the early spring (March and April). We found that flowers of both native and exotic plants were attractive to Hymenoptera and Diptera, although pollinator visitation rates varied by more than an order of magnitude across plant taxa. Overall, woody plants were more attractive to pollinators compared to herbaceous plants, regardless of whether the plant was native or exotic. Implications for insect conservation: Our results suggest that regardless of native status, urban plants that bloom in the early spring—especially woody species—may be coopted to support pollinators that are especially susceptible to climate change. However, care needs to be taken to select plant species and varieties that pollinators will actually use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic habitat modification is a major contributor to global change. While the modification of natural habitats to agroecosystems attracts most of the attention, little is known about the conversion of one natural ecosystem to another. Dry dipterocarp forest is the key dry forest type across Southeast Asia. Moderate fire disturbance is essential for its regeneration, but humans often prevent fire in these forests. Consequently, dry dipterocarps can change to dry evergreen forests through succession. The consequences of this conversion on food webs are unknown. Using the network approach, we compared the food webs of web-building spiders and their prey in the understory between dry dipterocarp (open canopy, uniform understory) and dry evergreen forests (closed canopy, heterogeneous understory) in north-eastern Thailand. Overall, we collected 560 individual web-building spiders belonging to 37 genera. Further, we collected 1139 prey items from spider webs belonging to 16 arthropod orders. The composition of captured prey and the network structure differed between the forest types. Specifically, the web-building spiders were more specialized and their niches overlapped less in dry dipterocarps than in dry evergreens. The differences in food-web structure were driven mostly by trophic groups turnover rather than interaction rewiring. Implications for insect conservation: The transformation of dry dipterocarp to dry evergreen forests from the prevention of fire disturbance may lead to an altered ecological function of web-building spiders in forest understories. As trophic links and their strength are rewired, habitat modification may also lead to changes in nutrient and energy flow in forest understories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the diversity and endemism of the fauna associated with serpentine ecosystems worldwide. Yet, they are likely of critical importance for the conservation of plant-associated entomofauna such as moths, particularly within biodiversity hotspots. Here, we report new data on the composition of Arctiinae moth assemblages in two serpentine areas in Western Cuba, one of which was surveyed during three consecutive years covering both wet and dry seasons. We surveyed Arctiinae moths using light traps and noninvasive identification of species and performed a census of plants at each station. We recorded 1,369 individuals across 33 species from 37 light-trapping nights/stations in total, representing 33% of Cuban Arctiinae species, among which 27% were endemics. Species abundance distribution was best fitted by the log series distribution at both sites and across years, with endemic species being more likely singletons and doubletons compared to non-endemic ones in the larger and older site. Moth assemblage's diversity differed between the two sites, although no significant trend was detected in species richness and endemism, possibly due to lower sample completeness for species richness at the larger and older site. Arctiinae moth assemblages were stable in richness, composition, and diversity across years. The trend for higher diversity in the larger and older site, hosting a richer plant community, should be investigated further in a range of serpentine areas differing in age, and size, in Cuba. Implications for insect conservation: Our results highlight the gap on the knowledge about Arctiinae moths in the insular Caribbean, which could hinder their inclusion in conservation plans. We also discuss possible habitat-specialist endemic species and hint at the importance of serpentine ecosystems as areas of value for moth conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Harbison's dun skipper subspecies (Euphyes vestris harbisoni) has a geographically limited distribution in southern California, USA and northern Mexico, isolated from the other subspecies. This skipper is a specialist, primarily found in riparian oak woodlands and only feeds on the San Diego sedge as a larva. Several extirpations have been documented, generating concern for its long-term persistence. We conducted visual surveys in 2021 and 2022, and a marking study in 2022, to assess population sizes. Habitat preferences were explored by collecting habitat covariates and analyzing GIS available environmental data. A significant decline in skipper counts occurred during a drought, with abundances remaining small following the drought. Population size estimates from a marking study had low accuracy due to the small population sizes. For this reason, we used the annual maximum count (Max Count) as a robust and efficient metric for monitoring this skipper. No difference was found between used and unused sedge patches using vegetation-based habitat covariates. However, a GIS approach described the historic distribution as woodlands at intermediate elevations, warmer summer temperatures, and intermediate levels of summer evapotranspiration. Implications for insect conservation: The decline in abundance and number of populations justify future conservation efforts, including identifying areas that should be prioritized for future surveys and restoration efforts. Most importantly, this study demonstrates that these woodlands should be managed/protected in their entirety to allow for annual movement of sedge plants and skippers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, spanning 37 years, assessed the diversity of grasshopper communities across much of the Pampas region. Ninety-five sampling sites were established in Buenos Aires and La Pampa provinces. Five zones were defined: Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and West (W). Each site was categorized according to the dominant vegetation. A total of fifty grasshopper species from three families were collected. Acrididae was the most diverse (41 species). Rarefaction analysis indicated that the SE was the zone with the lowest species richness (Q0). The NE, SW, and W showed higher diversity (Q1), while NE was less diverse according to Q2. The PCA revealed varying abundances of species across zones, with some species more abundant in specific areas (e.g., Dichroplus maculipennis and Borellia bruneri in SE). The highest species count (50) was in grassland with grass dominance. The CA showed significant associations between grasshopper species and different grasslands (e.g., Covasacris pallidinota, Dichroplus maculipennis, and Parorphula graminae in Halophilous grassland). Beta diversity highlighted species turnover as key component in the SW, W, and NE, while in the SE it was nestedness. In the NW, turnover and species loss components affected beta diversity. Communities were dominated by a few species, with three or four species representing over 50% of the community. Some abundant species declined or disappeared over time, while others appeared later. These results provide the first quantitative analysis of the grasshopper fauna across much of one of South America's most heavily modified ecosystems, the grasslands of the Argentine Pampas region. Implications for insect conservation: For decades, the Pampas grasslands have been undergoing a significant transformation, with the replacement of grasslands by highly productive agroecosystems. Grasshoppers are among the most abundant insects in grasslands. Therefore, understanding whether this transition to intensive agroecosystems has affected the richness and diversity of grasshoppers is an important question. The results of this study highlight the importance of long-term ecological research (37 years), which has coincided with a period of significant agricultural intensification across the region. This intensification has resulted in a homogenization and fragmentation of natural grasslands, with consequent impacts on associated fauna. The observed trends of this study probably reflect the current state of the grasshopper fauna in the Pampas during the last decades, in an increasingly managed agroecosystem context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solitary oil-collecting bees of the tribes Centridini, Tapinotaspidini, and Tetrapediini inhabit areas from the southern part of the Nearctic Region through the Patagonian in southern South America, including the Caribbean. These bees are morphologically and behaviorally specialized in collecting oils as a reward from specialized floral glandular structures present in oil-producer plants. Oil-producer plants and oil-collecting bees have a mutualistic relationship in which the latter potentially pollinate the formers while collecting oils from their flowers. The main objective of this work is to infer the species richness and the key areas for conservation, research, and sustainable use of oil-collecting bees of the tribes Centridini, Tapinotaspidini, and Tetrapediini in the Americas. We collected occurrence records for 528 species of oil-collecting bees and estimated the species richness for each tribe and genus. In total, we estimated 664 species across the three mentioned tribes. With that baseline information, we created models of the richness and rarity patterns of the entire group of species and each tribe as a criterion to highlight key areas, along with richness and rarity centers for the American oil-collecting bees. We identified several critical areas that can be prioritized for conservation and research projects, including territories in Panama, Costa Rica, the Central and Northern Andes, the Amazon basin, and the biogeographic provinces of Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampean, and Chacoan. Implications for insect conservation: Here we provide crucial information on key diversity areas for oil-collecting bees across the Americas. This information can be used for the conservation, research, and sustainable use of this important group of insect pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hoverflies play essential roles in ecosystems, serving as pollinators and valuable indicators of environmental modifications caused by climate change. Thus, they require an adequate conservation strategy, which in turn necessitates in-depth understanding of the distribution patterns of different species and their responses to climate changes over time. To contribute to this endeavor, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to estimate the potential impact of climate changes on various hoverfly functional groups in Montenegro in the past, present, and future. We evaluated the percentage of gained or lost area for each species (85 in total) and made comparisons among five functional groups. Three models (CNRM-CM5, HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR) were used to analyze past projections, and two more (MPI-ESM-LR, NORESM1-M) were used for future projections, both based on two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 an RCP 8.5) and two time frames (2050 and 2070). Our results show that the current conditions are the most optimal for the majority of the analyzed species. The phytophagous species whose larvae feed on various plant tissues are the functional group that is the most sensitive to future climate changes. The effects of these changes on hoverflies in Montenegro are likely to be intensified by the reduction of natural habitats, in combination with other threats. Our research indicated that both current and projected species richness across all studied functional groups is highest in the north-eastern region of Montenegro. In light of these findings, we propose expanding the boundaries of protected areas to ensure the conservation of hoverflies in Montenegro. Implications for insect conservation: Our findings indicate that climate changes may exert a strong impact on the distribution of all hoverfly functional groups, phytophagous species in particular. Considering that no hoverfly species is protected by the law in Montenegro, the SDM results presented here may contribute to development of effective conservation strategy for their survival, as well as to reevaluate the boundaries of protected areas designated on a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of insects, particularly endangered species such as the Apollo butterfly, is a pressing global concern. Understanding the habitat requirements and factors influencing species occupancy is crucial for designing effective conservation strategies. We focused on investigating the habitat characteristics expected to affect the occupancy of the nationally endangered Apollo butterfly in Southwest Finland. We conducted field surveys and GIS analysis to assess the impact of larval host plant and adult nectar resources, habitat encroachment, elevation, connectivity, and spatial variation on Apollo larval occupancy in rocky outcrop habitats. We found that rocky outcrops with abundant host plants and those less isolated from nectar patches play a significant role in supporting Apollo reproduction, whereas encroachment, specifically increased tree volume, negatively affected occupancy. We additionally observed spatial variation in occupancy across different blocks within the study area. Our findings emphasise the importance of resource availability for Apollo butterflies and highlight the dynamic nature of their habitat requirements. Maintaining a network of intact rocky outcrops with suitable resources is essential for the long-term persistence of the Apollo butterfly population in the region. Implications for insect conservation: Our research underscores the critical need to protect and restore habitats for the Apollo butterfly, particularly by addressing threats such as habitat encroachment and construction projects that pose risks to their breeding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many records from citizen science (CS) are used in scientific research related to biodiversity. Photographs of living species are valuable data from CS that are applicable to a range of ecological studies. The geographical ranges of threatened Brazilian butterflies were estimated based exclusively on data from photographs from CS sources, and these results were compared with estimates obtained without CS data. A total of 37 butterfly taxa (58.7% of all threatened butterflies from the Brazilian Red List) were identified from 335 photographic records taken by 187 citizen scientists from various CS surveyed sources. Comparing the estimates of geographical range with and without CS data, changes (all increases) were obtained for 26 taxa (70.3% of the taxa in this study). The presented results demonstrate the importance of CS to increase knowledge on threatened Brazilian butterflies, especially in data related to their conservation status. The involvement of general public in scientific research should be constantly encouraged, as the simple act of sharing photographs on the internet of a living organism in nature has the potential to contribute accurately and valuably to conservation science. Implications for insect conservation: The use of citizen science data is opportune and useful for many porpouses, as in the case of this study in improving the estimates of the geographical range of threatened species. Such data may lead to a new perspective in the conservation assessments of these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very specific environment of peat bogs determines their highly specialized biota, including subarctic and boreal species. Nowadays we can observe habitat loss due to human activities for many cold adapted species in the temperate zone of Europe. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the consequences of different levels of degradation of peatland biodiversity. We have investigated the effects of small ditches on habitat conditions for ground beetle and butterfly assemblages as compared to intact habitats in large peat bogs. In the sites along small ditches, the humidity is slightly higher than in natural sites, the sphagnum carpet and many specialized plant species are preserved. However, the plant cover was lower. Using pitfall trapping and standardized transect walks we have found that mean species richness and abundance were higher in intact habitats than in degraded sites. We found significant variation in species composition between habitat types for two studied taxonomic groups. Generalized linear mixed-effects models showed that vegetation cover structure was the main determinants of ground beetle and butterfly habitat quality in the studied peat bog sites. Implications for insect conservation: This study suggests that even moderate degradation of peat bogs caused a decrease in abundance and species richness in two taxa with rather different environmental preferences such as carabids and butterflies. These findings are important for understanding the small-scale impact on animal communities in degraded peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountainous regions are biodiversity hotspots with a high rate of endemism. However, these areas are witnessing accelerated warming, that threaten biodiversity and potentially causes habitat shrinkage for many species. Our study focuses on one such species, Andesiops peruvianus, a native mayfly of the mountains regions of South America. Our objectives were to analyze the genetic diversity of the 16 S gene in several populations, to assess their climate niche and potential distribution under future climate change scenarios. For genetic analysis samples were collected and sequenced from different sites across the South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia) and combine with the GenBank database. We identified 17 unique haplotypes based on 16 S gene, grouping them into two mains lineages: northern (Colombia and Ecuador) and southern (Bolivia and Argentina). Niche analysis showed a significant divergence between the northern and the southern lineages, suggesting distinct ecological niches. As future climatic changes were examined, both groups were observed to potentially lose about half of their suitable habitats. Habitat loss is the greatest at lower altitudes, but with some gain at higher altitudes. Isothermality and Annual Mean Temperature played a crucial role in defining habitats suitable for A. peruvianus. These features, coupled with their low thermal tolerance, might render the species particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Implications for insect conservation: This study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies that protect and restore habitats along the altitudinal gradient to facilitate gene flow and enhance the resilience of A. peruvianus and other species to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lord Howe Island is notable for its rich subtropical flora and fauna, however incursions of house mouse (1860s) and black rat (1918) have had catastrophic effects on the biota. These rodents were eliminated in 2019. Repeated surveys of the beetles of Lord Howe Island have provided pre- and post- rodent eradication data. The recovery of a large flightless longhorn beetle, Xylotoles wollastoni, is outlined here. Implications for insect conservation The recovery of a large flightless endemic beetle provides strong support for the positive impacts of rodent eradication on the Lord Howe fauna, and for similar conservation programmes elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its biogeographical importance and high endemism, the freshwater biodiversity in Algeria and the wider arid region of North Africa has been significantly under‐researched and underestimated. Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) are crucial for the maintenance of ecological integrity of hydrosystems and could serve as indicators of changes of North African freshwater biodiversity. This study focuses on mayflies in Algeria, particularly in the Djurdjura Mountains, including the Djurdjura National Park in central‐northern Algeria. The aim is to establish an updated checklist, map the distribution of mayfly species and determine the ecological requirements of their assemblages. Twenty‐four mayfly taxa were identified during the study, including five new, undescribed species. Through multivariate analysis, the study revealed that land‐use practices, altitude and slope orientation significantly influenced mayfly assemblages in the studied streams. This study emphasises the urgent need for conservation action and lays the foundation for future research and conservation efforts that are essential to protecting the integrity of the critical freshwater habitats of the Djurdjura Mountains, which are hotspots for North African endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The expansion of agricultural lands threatens biodiversity maintenance across the tropics. Although some agroforestry systems may be biodiversity-friendly, their conservation value likely depends on the landscape and regional contexts in which they are embedded—a poorly tested hypothesis. Objectives: We assessed the conservation value of shaded cocoa agroforests for bees and social wasps, and evaluated whether such value depends on the remaining forest cover at the landscape and/or regional scales. Methods: Using a paired design, we compared α- (species number) and β-diversity of each taxon between cocoa agroforests and neighbouring rainforests in 30 landscapes from three regions with different deforestation levels from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We assessed whether the species number ratio (cocoa/forest) and β-diversity related to landscape-scale forest cover, and whether such a relationship differed among regions (interacting effect). Results: Cocoa agroforests held more bee and wasp species than forests, and β-diversity between habitats was moderate (bees) to high (wasps). Bees’ species number ratio peaked at the intermediate-deforested region, and β-diversity decreased with increasing forest cover, indicating that both land uses shared more species in more forested landscapes, especially in the high- and intermediate-deforested regions. Yet, for social wasps, β-diversity varied only within regions, with habitats sharing more species in the low-deforested region. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that the conservation value of shaded cocoa agroforests for bees and social wasps depends on local and regional landscape forest cover. With cocoa agroforest being highly permeable matrix which increases with higher forest cover especially for bees in high- and intermediate-deforested regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective conservation of migratory species relies on habitat protection throughout their annual cycle. Although protected areas (PAs) play a central role in conservation, their effectiveness at conserving habitats across the annual cycle of migratory species has rarely been assessed. We developed seasonal ecological niche models for 418 migratory butterfly species across their global distribution to assess whether they were adequately represented in the PAs across their full annual cycle. PA coverage was inadequate in at least one season for 84% of migratory butterflies, adequate for only 17% of species in one season, and inadequate for 45% of species in all seasons. There was marked geographic variation in PA coverage: 77% of species met representation targets in Sri Lanka, for example, but only 32% met targets in Italy. Our results suggest that coordinated efforts across multiple countries will be needed to develop international networks of PAs that cover the full annual cycle of migratory insects and that conservation measures, in addition to the establishment and maintenance of PAs, are likely to be needed to effectively conserve these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Captive breeding can be a useful tool for the management of threatened species, but such programs often begin with a bottleneck which may lower reproductive fitness by increasing inbreeding and allowing deleterious alleles to increase in frequency by reducing effective population size. Dryococelus australis, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, is a critically endangered insect that has been bred at the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, since shortly after the species was rediscovered in 2001. We analysed a long‐term dataset of phenotypic measurements from this captive breeding program to determine whether reproductive fitness has declined in captivity. We found a clear signal of decline in direct (egg hatching success) and indirect (egg and nymph size) fitness indicators over time. We compared a captive line descended from the original program founders to a new hybrid line that has recent wild ancestry. The hybrid line showed an immediate improvement in egg hatch rate, suggesting the potential for genetic rescue. Egg and nymph size did not show as dramatic a change, although this line had only existed for just over a single generation at the time of data collection. These results argue strongly for the regular sourcing of new genetic material from the wild D. australis population to counteract fitness declines in captivity. Aside from benefiting the captive population, this would also improve the prospects of establishing new wild populations in the future, using individuals sourced from captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the potential consequences of arable land use changes for insect conservation and ecosystem functioning, it is fundamental to know how insect species with different functional traits respond to crop choice and production method.This study examined the effects of crop type and production method on functional traits of butterfly, bumblebee and carabid beetle communities using species abundance data from 78 fields in Southern Finland. Surrounding landscape composition was also accounted for. The studied traits were associated with dispersal capacity, habitat or diet specialization and phenology—the key determinants modifying species responses to agricultural disturbances and land use changes.Butterfly habitat breadth was narrowest and wingspan shortest in long‐term fallows. Fallows also supported the highest share of butterflies overwintering in early development stages and bumblebees with late‐emerging queens. The tongue length of bumblebees was longest in organic oat fields, probably due to flowering weeds with long corolla.For carabid beetles, the proportion of poor flyers and carnivores was highest in perennial crops and fallows. Carabid beetles overwintering as adults were relatively more abundant in organic than in conventional production, probably due to more intensive tillage in organic fields.In all insect groups, poor dispersers and/or specialists decreased with increasing arable land cover in the surrounding landscape.Increasing the area of long‐term fallows and perennial crops and enhancing within‐field plant diversity while maintaining landscape heterogeneity would promote insect species sensitive to agricultural disturbances and land use changes and their associated ecosystem services in boreal farmland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotropical forest ecosystems harbour significant biodiversity. To develop effective insect conservation practices, it is important to understand the factors that influence the diversity and population structure of the species.Dispersal, a key determinant of population structure, is well studied in termites nesting in wood, for which it can be influenced by wood transport, or in termites living in urban environments. However, understanding the dispersal of termites whose mobility remains unaffected by wood transport remains understudied.We investigated the dispersal of Embiratermes neotenicus, a soil‐feeding species with short dispersal distance, in the Neotropical region, where both intact and degraded forests exist. Using mitochondrial and nuclear data, we analysed genetic diversity, structure and factors contributing to population differentiation in Suriname and French Guiana at multiple scales for 70 colonies.The population in French Guiana is the ancestral population in the region that subsequently expanded.Significant genetic differentiation between populations was observed, with distinct patterns identified in Suriname and French Guiana. The Suriname population showed higher genetic diversity and no subpopulation differentiation, whereas the French Guiana population showed substructure into distinct genetic clusters.Analyses at the scale of all colonies suggest the influence of landscape features, such as the Maroni River, on genetic differentiation. At the local scale, genetic differentiation between colonies increases with forest alteration, even when this does not include major changes in forest cover.Our results highlight the sensitivity of soil‐feeding termite populations to habitat change. We argue that multi‐scale studies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of genetic patterns, especially for species with short dispersal distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions about which processes to include in a population model can have substantial impact on estimates of population trends and extinction risk. This is particularly important for species of conservation concern, whose conservation status is decided in part on the basis of these models.In their recent paper, Meehan and Crossley (2023) Insect Conservation and Diversity, 16, 566–573 revisit a time series of overwintering monarch butterfly abundances, which previous assessments had characterised as rapidly declining and at risk of extinction. The authors, in contrast, reported no evidence for declines in the past 10 years and characterised extinction risk as low.A primary reason for the difference between these conclusions was that Meehan and Crossley used a more complex model that included a parameter for density dependence. While negative density dependence may play a role in monarch population regulation, there are a variety of unresolved issues with how and if density dependence should be included in models of monarch populations, including widely known issues with separating observation error from density dependence in noisy time series and taxon‐specific issues with fitting models to data surveyed every fourth generation and pooled at continental scales.These issues make the conclusions of Meehan and Crossley about monarch population viability much less robust than implied in their article. They do not provide convincing evidence that density dependence reduces extinction risk in monarch butterflies. Our commentary supports their general conclusion that population viability projections depend on model assumptions, but the ways in which monarch butterfly populations are regulated remains an open question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomophilous dioecious plants may present opportunities to conserve insect populations as they often possess flowers accessible to a diversity of visitors and potential pollinators. Additionally, flowers of each sex can vary in the nutrients they provide. Two South Australian populations of the largely dioecious arid zone shrub Pimelea microcephala subsp. microcephala (Thymelaeaceae) were investigated to determine the conservation utility of the species to conserve insect populations by assessing floral visitor and pollinator diversity and the nutritional quality of pollen and nectar. Fifty-five visitors representing species in six insect orders were recorded at Baron Station, while 49 visitors from three insect orders were recorded at Clements Gap. Thirty-nine of the observed visitors were captured, of which two species of Hymenoptera, two of Diptera and one of Hemiptera were carrying pollen and thus potential pollinators. Visitation rates were higher for male than female plants at Clements Gap, but the reverse at Baron Station. Pollen from male plants had low protein content (2.5% dried weight (DW)) compared to co-flowering hermaphroditic angiosperms at the sites (5.3–14.0% DW). In contrast, floral extracts from male plants had at least 2× greater cumulative sugar concentrations than those of females at the same site, but female extracts had at least 4× higher protein content than male ones. As a food resource plant, P. microcephala subsp. microcephala may represent an important plant species for revegetation efforts that support the conservation of insect diversity in arid regions and throughout its broad range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Giant water bugs play an important role as top predators in wetland ecosystems, helping to control freshwater snails and mosquitoes. In this study, we used MaxEnt models to predict how climate change might affect the distribution of two Korean species, Appasus japonicus and Diplonychus esakii. Our findings suggest that A. japonicus may lose habitat and shift northward, while D. esakii is expected to expand its range, potentially causing occupancy turnover between the two species. The range shifts of the two species are primarily driven by different factors—elevation for A. japonicus and annual mean temperature for D. esakii. This research helps us understand how climate change could affect two giant water bugs and supports efforts to manage and conserve wetland ecosystems in South Korea. Giant water bugs (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) are top predators in wetland ecosystems, serving as biological indicators of the health of lentic ecosystems and as effective biological control agents for freshwater snails and mosquitoes. This study aimed to predict the current and future distribution of two Korean giant water bugs, Appasus japonicus and Diplonychus esakii, under three climate change scenarios, contributing to the sustainable management of wetland ecosystems in South Korea. Using MaxEnt models, we employed seven climatic and three non-climatic variables to investigate the habitat preferences and distribution patterns of the species. The results revealed that A. japonicus is likely to experience a northward range contraction due to climate change, while D. esakii is predicted to expand its distribution northward without losing its current range. These responses may lead to occupancy turnover between the two species, potentially driving reassembly in aquatic organism community. Elevation was the primary factor influencing the distribution of A. japonicus, whereas annual mean temperature was the most informative variable for D. esakii, both factors derived under the current climate conditions. These findings suggest that both species are highly sensitive to climate change, with potential range shifts toward higher latitudes and elevations. This study provides insights into how climate change could impact two giant water bugs, thereby supporting future efforts to manage and conserve wetland ecosystems in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and fragmentation have caused declines in the abundance and distribution of butterflies, particularly habitat specialists. The Chequered Skipper, Carterocephalus palaemon, has been extinct in England since 1976 after declining from the 1940s predominantly due to changes in woodland management including afforestation and the decline in traditional coppice management. To enable C. palaemon to flourish again, this species was reintroduced from Belgium to England in 2018 with the aim of establishing a resident breeding population. Here, we report on the recent reintroduction, outlining the reintroduction method used, the establishment status of the species in England, the clinical health of reintroduced individuals, and post-release monitoring results. Furthermore, we assess the habitat suitability of sites around the original release site to determine which were similar to the current re-location site and could be used for future reintroductions, and to aid the targeting of further management to increase habitat suitability. Since 2018, 128 Chequered Skipper butterflies have been reintroduced from Belgium to Rockingham Forest in England. Health examinations demonstrated that individuals were healthy, and this in part resulted in the population establishing at the first release site and the area of occupancy increasing each year to 2022. However, the reintroduced population has yet to naturally colonise other areas within Rockingham Forest and therefore is not yet a functioning metapopulation. Despite the project still being in its infancy, we are able to report on a successful five years. Implications for insect conservation: Rigorous scientific research has provided the evidence to support reintroductions, and will continue to be used to ensure the ecology and population dynamics of this species is sufficiently understood so that Chequered Skipper populations can thrive again in England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As evidence of global insect declines continues to mount, insect conservationists are becoming increasingly interested in modeling the demographic history of at-risk species from long-term survey data. However, certain entomological survey methods may be susceptible to temporal biases that will complicate these efforts. Entomological light traps, in particular, may catch fewer insects today than they once did due solely to increases in anthropogenic light pollution. Here we investigate this possibility by comparing the demographic histories of corn earworm moths (Helicoverpa zea) estimated from pairs of blacklight and pheromone traps monitored at the same farms. We find a stark decline in blacklight trap efficacy over 25 years of monitoring in Delaware, USA, mirrored over 10 years of monitoring in New Jersey, USA. While the precise causes of this decline remain a subject for discussion, the practical consequences are clear: insect conservationists cannot fully rely on long-term trends from entomological light traps. Implications for insect conservation: H. zea populations appear to have remained largely stable over the past 25 years when assessed using pheromone trap data; when assessed using blacklight trap data, however, they appear to have declined precipitously. This disparity is consistent with a gradual loss in light trap efficacy due to concomitant increases in anthropogenic light pollution. Unfortunately, many nocturnal insects of conservation concern have historically been monitored via light traps alone. Going forward, insect conservationists should seek out alternative sources of monitoring data against which to calibrate estimates of demographic history obtained from light traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two main goals of peatland restoration are habitat improvement and climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from damaged peatlands and providing a net carbon sink. The biodiversity of specialist peatland species is threatened because of habitat destruction and the large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia has become a flagship species for peatland ecosystem restoration, with a species reintroduction programme currently underway on a peatland restoration site within Chat Moss, Greater Manchester, UK. The aim of this study was to improve our quantitative understanding of C. tullia habitat resource requirements to optimise habitat restoration for further reintroduction attempts. We monitored butterfly micro-distribution and dispersal during the first three flight seasons (2020, 2021 and 2022) of the reintroduction using high-accuracy GPS, combined with a distance-bearing protocol. Analysis of butterfly flight points and rest points in relation to plant species distribution and abundance, identified the most important habitat resources. Using logistic regression, treatment-response curves were constructed, enabling us to identify critical thresholds for the abundance of these important habitat resources. The break of slope near the top of the logistic curve was identified using segmented regression, giving an estimate of the near-optimal abundance; fourteen Eriophorum vaginatum tussocks per 2 m quadrat and 13.4% Erica tetralix cover. Implications for insect conservation: During ecosystem restorations, prior to the reintroduction of species with specialist habitat requirements, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the abundance of the important habitat resources that need to be provided. The quantitative approach we describe defines the most significant environmental factors and habitat resources, then uses segmented regression to estimate the near-optimal habitat resource requirements; increasing the likelihood of reintroduced populations thriving and reintroduction programmes achieving long-term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts over time (phenology) and space (latitude and elevation range) represent common ecological responses to climate change. However, the factors determining how changes in phenology and distribution interact, and the consequences for conservation, remain uncertain. Here, we assess how phenology responded to temperature over four decades of warming across the elevation ranges of 18 univoltine butterfly species in four mountain regions of Spain. Using count data from intermittent surveys in 166 sites between 1985 and 2022, we tested for (1) effects of monthly temperature and elevation on mean annual flight date; (2) changes to flight dates between 1985–2005 and 2017–2022; and (3) whether shifts in flight date were related to shifts in the average elevation occupied. Mean flight dates were later in years with cooler springs, and at higher sites, with a mean delay of nearly twenty days per km elevation increase. As conditions warmed over time, average flight date advanced for two thirds of species, especially those whose average elevation was stable over time. Species with stable flight dates showed greater indication of upward range shifts, although only one species showed a significant shift in average elevation. Implications for insect conservation: We show that spring temperatures influence mountain butterfly phenology, and that shifts in phenology and elevation range could compensate for each other in determining population exposure and responses to climate change. Monitoring these changes over time, including by employing evidence from historical surveys and scientific collections, can help to understand constraints on species adaptive capacity to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the NW-European region of Flanders (northern Belgium), wet heathlands harbour several threatened species among which the emblematic Alcon Blue butterfly Phengaris alcon is rapidly declining. Since 1990, the number of occupied grid cells in Flanders has decreased from 61 to only six in 2023, a decline of 90%. Due to the loss of many populations, the mean distance between populations tripled from 9 km in the period 1950–1990 to 27 km now. Site-wide egg counts in one of the strongholds of the Alcon Blue in Flanders revealed a strong increase after some initial intensive care conservation measures in the 2000s, but since 2013 a steep decline of 99% has been observed. The standardised egg counts in the remaining six Flemish populations (i.e., monitoring within the framework of the Natura2000 reporting) showed a yearly decrease of 18% since 2016. Despite increased conservation attention and targeted management since the end of the 1990s, the current situation of P. alcon in Belgium is more precarious than ever. Causes of this rapid decline are manifold and they are likely to be amplified by extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. More efficient intensive care measures and more intense cooperation across national borders are now quickly required to regionally preserve this habitat specialist with a unique eco-evolutionary profile. Implications for insect conservation By analysing the causes of the decline of the threatened Alcon Blue butterfly in Flanders, we suggest management and policy measures in an attempt to conserve this and other threatened heathland species in a highly anthropogenic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing awareness of biodiversity loss, the demand for standardized monitoring is also growing. Moths are a species rich group and can easily be monitored with traps. However the traps have to be portable to cover remote areas. The disadvantage of the commonly used Heath trap are heavy batteries and the unreliable actinic is not very energy efficient. Therefore we invented a new, portable LED trap which reliable switch on and is more energy efficient. In this study, we compared the number of attracted individuals and moth species between the standard Heath trap and a 2835 LED-strip. We also tested the aging effect after 1000 and 2000 h runtime to rule out monitoring the deterioration of the LED and compared the new 2835 strip with a brighter 5050 LED-strip. The 2835 LED attracts on average 2.3 times more moths compared to the Heath trap. This is partly caused by the energy inefficiency of the actinic whereby it only runs 2/3 of the night compared to the whole night with the 2835 LED, emphasizing energy efficiency as big advantage of LED. No difference in the total number of individuals was found after 1000 and 2000 h runtime compared to new LEDs. The 5050 LEDs attracted on average 2.0 more moths compared to the 2835 LEDs, suggesting this LED as alternative for relatively species poor regions. Implications for insect conservation The LedTrap can be used everywhere within a standardised monitoring scheme or within moth related experiments, resulting in a better understanding of their trends and preferences, which contributes to their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how management actions affect target species is crucial for designing conservation strategies that meet recovery goals. In the context of Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria = Argynnis zerene hippolyta) conservation, we used experimental habitat manipulations and mark-release-recapture methods to measure the effects of habitat restoration and population augmentation on butterfly vital rates. To understand the butterfly's response to management, we (1) measured larval survival in response to invasive grass and thatch removal, and (2) used mark-release-recapture methods to estimate phenology, adult survival, and female egg laying of both wild and captive-reared butterflies. We found that reducing the density of invasive grasses and associated thatch, increased larval survival by up to 50%. We also found that wild butterflies emerged, on average, three weeks before captive butterflies were released and lived up to a week longer than captive butterflies. This mismatch in timing resulted in observations of only 15% of captive females laying eggs as opposed to 45% of marked wild females, suggesting that captive-reared females are contributing very little to the overall population. For Oregon silverspot recovery efforts to succeed, continued management of invasive grasses is key, as is further work to match the timing of releases of captive butterflies with flight of wild butterflies. Implications for insect conservation: Through hands-on manipulation of habitat and marking at-risk butterflies, we identified specific ways to improve current management actions to meet recovery goals. These techniques are necessary for developing conservation strategies that will save species from extinction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect habitat specialists have declined more than generalists over the last decades. Understanding how habitat requirements and increased climate variability interact to explain persistence of populations is needed to enable effective conservation measures. Habitat specialists with a complex life cycle, such as myrmecophilous butterflies, are likely to be most vulnerable. Here, we explored to what extent the habitat factors explaining population persistence of the Alcon blue (Phengaris alcon), changed over a 25-year period in the Netherlands, contrasting the recent years 2018–2022 with extreme droughts with the preceding period 1998–2017 characterized by occasional climatic extremes. Population persistence of P. alcon over 1998–2017 as explained by historical habitat conditions was significantly higher in large heathland areas with large patches of its host plant Gentiana pneumonanthe. On the basis of current conditions, population persistence until 2017 was best explained by a combination of host plant area and quality. In contrast, persistence over the recent drought years was most closely associated with increasing occupancy of the optimal host ant Myrmica ruginodis and lower occupancy of competitive and predatory Lasius ants. Implications for insect conservation We conclude that critical habitat conditions change under increasing climatic extremes and that the availability of sufficient optimal host ants has become more critical than that of host plants. The results emphasise that both large-scale hydrological restoration and small-scale management for heterogeneity are necessary to preserve P. alcon and its habitat in the Netherlands. This is also likely to apply to other habitat specialists with complex life cycles from threatened habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasions of alien plants often result in biodiversity loss and may impact the biology of native species. However, the effects of biological invasions on the behavioural responses of native species have rarely been investigated. We studied how the alteration of habitat due to the invasion of alien goldenrod (Solidago spp) affects a native butterfly, the scarce large blue Phengaris teleius, which is a flagship species for grassland biodiversity conservation. To better understand immediate responses in flight behaviour (daily movements, resting, and dispersal) to a new habitat, we performed observations of experimentally translocated butterflies of two origins (invaded vs. non-invaded habitats) to four different environments: invaded habitat, non-invaded habitat, invaded matrix, non-invaded matrix. Moreover, we tested whether the level of invasion may be related to the variation in morphological traits associated with flight (wing size, body mass) and genetic variability. Flight behaviour was affected by the high goldenrod cover and the sex of the butterflies, regardless of the butterflies' origin. In the habitat and matrix invaded by goldenrod, the butterflies tended to display dispersal behaviour more often compared to the non-invaded ones. Flight distances were longest in the matrix with goldenrod and resting time was longest in habitats invaded by goldenrod. Analysis of morphological traits as well as eight microsatellite loci did not reveal significant differences in morphology or genetic variation among the populations studied. Implications for insect conservation: Our findings give important insights into immediate behavioural responses within invaded sites and may reflect the plasticity of the species to the changing environment. It indicates an urgent need to properly manage existing habitats as well as to create at least steppingstone habitats as a chance of survival for poor dispersers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species often associate with specific habitat characteristics, resulting in patchy distributions, whereby they only occupy a proportion of available habitat. Understanding which characteristics species require is a valuable tool for informing conservation management. We investigated the associations of eleven species of day-flying Lepidoptera larvae and their foodplants with habitat characteristics within calcareous grassland reserves in Bedfordshire, UK, across two scales relevant to land managers and target species: the reserve (cardinal aspect, vegetation type) and foodplant patch scale (foodplant height and density). We investigated whether ecological traits (habitat specialism, as defined at a national-scale, and overwintering life stage) influenced the strength of associations. At the reserve scale, we found variation in associations with habitat characteristics across species, with species that overwinter at non-adult life stages having more restricted associations, indicating that they may be more vulnerable to environmental change. Associations were generally stronger with vegetation type than aspect, which can be manipulated more easily by land managers. Seven species had similar associations with habitat characteristics to their foodplants, implying that management to benefit foodplants will also benefit larvae. However, the remaining four species had different associations to their foodplants, and may require alternative management approaches. At the foodplant patch scale, four species were associated with foodplant characteristics, which could be used to inform effective fine-scale management. Implications for insect conservation: Implications for insect conservation: Diverse habitat associations imply that topographic and vegetation variation are valuable for supporting diverse assemblages of butterflies and their foodplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is set to become one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide, with extreme weather events projected to increase in frequency. Ectothermic animals such as insects are at particular risk, especially when they are isolated and unable to move through the landscape to track suitable climate. To protect such taxa, it is important to understand how they are impacted by extreme weather events and whether management could provide effective microclimate refuges. However, potential management interventions remain untested for many species. Here, we show that the extreme high temperatures experienced in the UK on 19th July 2022 resulted in a community of butterflies becoming inactive, but that shaded areas, including artificial slopes created as part of conservation management for climate change, provided a refuge during this period. Our results indicate that future high temperatures could force butterflies to shelter in the shade, potentially being unable to fly, feed or mate during these periods, with possible long-term impacts, particularly if multiple consecutive high temperature days are experienced. Implications for Insect Conservation: Producing artificial slopes and integrating patches of scrub within grassland could create an array of microclimates that allow butterflies and other invertebrates to thermoregulate, providing a refuge during extreme weather events. Our findings highlight the dramatic effect of extreme temperatures on insect communities, as well as simple management solutions that could be implemented widely and relatively easily by conservation managers, to counter some of the negative impacts of rising temperatures and extreme weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite large numbers of reintroduction projects taking place and the high cost involved, there is a generally low success rate. Insects in particular are understudied within reintroduction ecology, with guidelines focusing on more iconic vertebrate taxa. Species distribution models (SDMs) examine the associations between species observations and environmental variables to find the conditions in which populations could survive. This study utilises two frequently used SDM approaches, a regression model (general linear model (GLM)) and a machine learning method (MaxEnt) to model habitat suitability for Chequered Skipper, Carterocephalus palaemon, butterflies, which are being reintroduced to Northamptonshire following extinction in England. We look at how SDMs using widespread remotely sensed variables could be used to inform the reintroduction process by finding areas of suitable habitat that were previously overlooked. These remotely sensed variables have the potential to inform reintroductions without extensive on the ground research as they cover huge areas and are widely available. We found that both models are successful in discriminating between presences and absences, using only a limited number of explanatory variables. We conclude that these wide-scale SDMs are useful as a first step in the decision-making process in determining appropriate sites for reintroductions, but that they are less accurate when establishing precisely where species should be placed. Implications for insect conservation: The rates of failure among species reintroductions are very high despite the large costs involved in these projects. By better utilising SDMs and remote sensing variables that cover huge areas, an increased rate of success and cost efficiency in insect reintroductions could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects make up 75%–80% of all known animal species, with estimates ranging from 10 to 30 million, of which approximately 1.11–1.7 million are described. Despite varying estimates, 80% of insect species remain undiscovered. Unfortunately, insect populations have been declining globally in recent decades, which have significant implications for the overall health of ecosystems. Thus, this review article delves into the status of insects, exploring the causes behind their decline, highlighting discoveries made in recent years, and emphasizing the profound impact of this decline on ecosystems. Furthermore, it discusses the urgent need for conservation efforts and identifies promising areas for future insect research. To achieve these objectives, the researcher uses a systematic review of 156 distinct journals and websites. Insect decline is a worldwide issue caused by habitat loss, pesticide use, pollution, invading species, intensive agriculture, and climate change. It affects flying, ground, and aquatic lineages, with Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Ephemeroptera being especially vulnerable. The decline of insects has significant impacts on ecosystems, including food chains, pollination, and nutrient cycling. Insect conservation strategies involve habitat restoration, sustainable land management, species‐specific conservation, and policy. Developing insect conservation laws, enforcing environmental laws, and promoting public education are also crucial for addressing insect declines and promoting biodiversity. Future research should focus on using insects for sustainable agriculture, understanding their behavior for conservation and technology, utilizing insect genetics for pest control, and improving insect classification for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hands-on activities are considered to be particularly suitable for generating long-term knowledge that increases environmentally friendly behaviour. Appropriate flagship species in a respective curricular context can enable high-quality education. We have developed a teaching concept and material for hands-on activities with bumblebees. This includes aspects of outdoor bumblebee-keeping in a teaching unit, together with the identification of bumblebee species and conservation activity in the context of biodiversity; bumblebees can act as umbrella species because their conservation needs incidentally protect other species. Moreover, the project involves keeping bumblebees indoors in a teaching unit that covers ethology and neurobiology. A total sample size of 188 German high school students from the fifth to seventh grade (lower and intermediate secondary-school levels) participated in the project. We measured students' knowledge about bumblebees in general and insect decline, as well as fear of bumblebees in a pre-test, post-test and follow-up test. Learning enjoyment was also measured in the post-test. Students acquired long-lasting knowledge and considerably enjoyed the learning experience. Fear of bumblebees decreased long-term, although knowledge that bumblebees can sting increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiphocentronidae comprises eight genera found across tropical regions. In Brazil, two genera are present: Xiphocentron Brauer, 1870 and Machairocentron Schmid, 1982. Xiphocentron is further divided into five subgenera: Xiphocentron (Antillotrichia) Banks, 1941, X. (Glyphocentron) Schmid, 1982, X. (Rhamphocentron) Schmid, 1982, X. (Sphagocentron) Schmid, 1982, and X. (Xiphocentron). Xiphocentron (Antillotrichia) is the most species-rich subgenus and the only one occurring in South America. In Brazil, there are 18 species of X. (Antillotrichia), mainly distributed in the Atlantic Forest, with one species recorded in the Brazilian Amazon. Machairocentron, another Neotropical genus, comprises nine species, but only one species is known in Brazil. Recent research in the Brazilian Amazon led to the discovery of three new species of Xiphocentron: Xiphocentron (Antillotrichia) moasp. n., Xiphocentron tapajossp. n., and Xiphocentron (Antillotrichia) xingusp. n. This study describes and illustrates these species, focusing on adult males, and highlighting the distinctive morphology of segment IX and inferior appendages. New distribution records are provided for X. (Antillotrichia) sclerothrix Pes & Hamada, 2013 and M. falciforme Pes & Hamada, 2013. Additionally, M. amahuaca Vilarino, Salles & Bispo, 2023 and X. (Antillotrichia) surinamense Flint, 1974 are reported for the first time in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent losses in the abundance and diversity of arthropods have been documented in many regions and ecosystems. In grasslands, such insect declines are largely attributed to land use, including modern machinery and mowing regimes. However, the effects of different mowing techniques on arthropods remain poorly understood. Using 11 years of data from 111 agricultural grassland plots across Germany, we analyzed the influence of various grassland management variables on the abundance and abundance‐accounted species richness of four arthropod orders: Araneae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Orthoptera. The analysis focused on detailed mowing information, for example, days after mowing and mower type, and compared their effect with other aspects of grassland management, that is, rolling, leveling, fertilization, and grazing. We found strong negative effects of mowing on all four arthropod orders, with arthropod abundance being lowest directly after mowing and steadily increasing to three to seven times the abundance after 100 days post‐mowing. Likewise, Hemiptera and Coleoptera species richness was 30% higher 100 days after mowing. Mower width showed a positive effect on Orthoptera abundance, but not on the other arthropods. Arthropod abundance and Coleoptera species richness were lowest when a mulcher was used compared to rotary or bar mowers. In addition to mowing, intensive grazing negatively affected Orthoptera abundance but not the other orders. Mowing represents a highly disturbing and iterative stressor with negative effects on arthropod abundance and diversity, likely contributed by mowing‐induced mortality and habitat alteration. While modifications of mowing techniques such as mower type or mowing height and width may help to reduce the negative impact of mowing on arthropods, our results show that mowing itself has the most substantial negative effect. Based on our results, we suggest that reduced mowing frequency, omission of mowing in parts of the grassland (refuges), or extensive grazing instead of mowing have the greatest potential to promote arthropod populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas can be both detrimental for pollinators or function as suitable habitats, depending on the land-use type, the urban context and the pollinator group in focus. Urban green spaces, including gardens, parks or cemeteries can provide essential resources for a wide range of pollinator groups, like wild bees, hoverflies and beetles. Urban community gardens can be particularly structurally complex and harbour a diverse range of nesting and food resources for pollinators. However, we know little about how garden features may vary with the urban context of gardens and which specific garden features can increase the abundance of pollinators in general and of different pollinator groups. Over two summer seasons, we recorded garden features and pollinators using flower observations in 33 urban community gardens in Munich and Berlin, Germany. We examined how garden features differ amongst urban community gardens from three urbanisation categories, and analysed the effects of garden features such as floral and nesting resources and landscape imperviousness (as indicator of urbanisation) on pollinator abundance, richness and diversity. In more urbanised gardens, flower richness and bare substrate were less prevalent. Flower richness was positively correlated with overall pollinator abundance, richness and diversity as well as with the abundances of all pollinator taxa excluding beetles. Landscape imperviousness was negatively correlated with hoverfly and beetle abundances. Hoverflies also decreased with increasing bare substrate and wasp abundance decreased with increasing deadwood availability. Our findings highlight the important role of flower richness for insect conservation in urban management and show that pollinator taxa react differently to garden features and urbanisation. To support pollinating insects, gardeners can increase flower richness, especially in highly urbanised areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Aim] Oviposition is a crucial aspect of insect behavior, and observing oviposition behavior can provide fundamental data for further exploration of pest control and the conservation of beneficial insects. [Methods] An industrial CCD video microscope paired with an infrared light source were used to record the oviposition behavior of Monolepta signata in a custom-built insect oviposition chamber. Additionally, different substates were used to assess the oviposition preference of M. signata. [Results] The highest oviposition rate was observed when white sand was used as a substrate. The oviposition process of M. signata on white sand was categorized into six stages: Host approach, contact probing, probing identification, oviposition, retrieving the ovipositor, and stationary. The probing identification stage was the longest, with females using the end of their abdomen to probe and identify oviposition sites. A positive correlation was observed between the angle of the female abdomen and the substrate surface, and the depth of oviposition and the length of the abdominal tip during oviposition. [Conclusion] The combination of a CCD video microscope, infrared light source, and a custom-built oviposition observation chamber enabled clear observation of the oviposition process of M. signata in the soil. This study introduces a novel approach for observing insect oviposition behavior, furthering the investigation of their biological traits for practical applications. It also offers technical support for the control of phytophagous insects that oviposit in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity data platforms including databases, websites and data repositories underpin conservation efforts by collecting spatiotemporal data of discovered native and alien species and maps of their distributions. Chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) are one of the most diverse insect groups estimated to include half a million species. Being mostly parasitoids of other arthropods, they have been successfully used as biological control agents against serious agricultural pests worldwide. In Cyprus, only 124 species of chalcid wasps have been recorded, with 53 species being alien to the island. Their true biodiversity is predicted to be much larger because the island is both under-sampled and under-researched. A number of biodiversity data platforms focusing on the biodiversity of Cyprus are currently online; however, an online platform dedicated on the chalcid wasps of Cyprus is lacking. In the framework of the Darwin Plus Fellowship (DPLUS202) "Species richness and biological invasions of Chalcid wasps in Akrotiri Peninsula", the "Chalcid wasps of Cyprus" website (https://sites.google.com/view/chalcidwaspscyprus) is presented. This online, dynamic database aims to: (1) raise public awareness regarding a rather neglected and yet ecologically important insect group, (2) provide data on the morphology, ecology and biodiversity of Chalcidoidea on Cyprus, as well as (3) promote conservation needs by setting a baseline for the future assessment of both native and alien chalcid wasp species. This online platform will be regularly revised in order to provide an up-to-date, user-friendly digital environment to the scientific community, policy-makers and citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]