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Bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) represent an important insect group including many significant pest species, but in some cases, the distribution and ecology of many bark beetles are still not well known. Maple bark beetle Scolytus koenigi Schyverew, 1890 is one of the mentioned group of species. The following study presents i) the first data of the occurrence of S. koenigi in Bohemia, ii) the first data of the species occurrence in an urban environment (large cities – Prague and Brno), iii) the distribution of the species in the Czech Republic since its first record (in 2013), and iv) new data about the bionomy of the species (i.e. a new host tree – Acer pseudoplatanus L. and refinement of the colonized substrate range diameter).

Ambrosia beetles are highly successful as invaders because they are often transported internationally with wood packaging and other wood products and because their inbreeding mating systems facilitates establishment of invading populations. In 2022, two independent insect surveys in canton Ticino (southern Switzerland) revealed the widespread occurrence of the invasive ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche (Kurentzov, 1941) from southern to central-upper Ticino. This species is native to east Asia and has previously been found as a non-native invasive species in the United States, Canada, western Russia, Ukraine and, in 2021, in northern Italy. Here, we present the results of several trapping studies using different trap types (bottle traps, funnel traps and Polytrap intercept traps) and attractants and a map of the distribution of the species. In total, 715 specimens of A. maiche, all female, were trapped, and the identity of selected individuals was confirmed by morphological and molecular identification based on three mitochondrial and nuclear markers (COI, 28S and CAD). Trap samples from early April to early September 2022 in intervals of two to four weeks showed that flights of A. maiche occurred mainly from June to mid-August. Isolation of fungal associates of A. maiche from beetles trapped alive revealed the presence of four fungal species, including the ambrosia fungus Ambrosiella cleistominuta, the known mutualist of A. maiche. The identity of A. cleistominuta was confirmed by comparing DNA sequences of its nuclear, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene with reference sequences in NCBI and BOLDSYSTEMS. This represents the first record of A. cleistominuta in Europe. Of the other fungal associates isolated from A. maiche in Ticino, Fusarium lateritium is of note as there is a possibility that A. maiche could act as a vector of this plant pathogen. We highlight several research needs that should be addressed to gain insight into the potential impact of these non-native species and to overcome problems with heteroplasmy in COI sequences in studies of invasion and population genetics of ambrosia beetles.

This article examines the effect of membrane type and its morphology on the chosen thermo-physiological properties of the middle layer of outdoor clothing. In total four different membranes were selected for the production and analysis of three-layer laminates, which could replace the second and third layers of layered clothing for sports/outdoor purposes. As an outer and lining material a polyester knitted fabric with fleece was chosen, whereas the lamination technology was used to join the individual layers. Chosen properties affecting the thermo-physiological comfort of the laminates were evaluated, to be able to select a membrane that, in combination with the outer and inner layer, enabled the use of laminate as an upper clothing layer – a jacket, thereby replacing the necessity of using a second clothing layer. The following properties were chosen as crucial: thermal resistance, air permeability, vapor permeability (water vapor penetration), and hydrostatic pressure resistance. The utility value methodology was used to evaluate individual fleece-based laminates. For the completeness of this study, two types of commercially available three-layer laminates containing soft-shell fabric as the top layer were incorporated for comparison.

Species in the genus Cryphalus are small and notoriously difficult to identify. Even among the relatively well studied European species, erroneous identifications are evident from literature and in museum collections. These misidentifications relate to the small size and similar appearance of Cryphalus species but they are also a product of insufficient diagnostic characters. This is especially unfortunate since some European species are considered pests. Based on the study of more than 1000 specimens and a thorough literature review, robust morphological and molecular evidence supporting all five hitherto recognised native species of Cryphalus in Europe is provided. A key for the reliable identification of these repetition species including new diagnostic characters recognised for the first time, including those from male genitalia, has been constructed. Each native species is provided with a detailed morphological description and their economic significance, distribution, and ecology discussed. Significant genetic variability is observed between certain clusters that should be further explored in a broader geographic context. Lastly, the need for a taxonomic revision of the genus Cryphalus for the entire Palearctic region due to the presence of many similar looking species which are often confused, thus distorting the knowledge of each species is highlighted.

Identifying alien species is important to ensure the early detection of biological invasions and survey shifts in species distributions in the context of global change. Here, we report on three alien bark and ambrosia beetles newly detected in Switzerland: Cyclorhipidion distinguendum (Eggers, 1930), C. pelliculosum (Eichhoff, 1878), and Hypothenemus eruditus (Westwood, 1834). These species were recorded for the first time during a comprehensive survey of saproxylic beetles accross major forest types and along an altitudinal gradient during the entire growing season in the southern Alps, in the canton of Ticino. Their local abundance and number of occurrences accross different lowland forest habitats, including alluvial forests of national importance, indicates that all three species are already naturalized. Given their polyphagy, it is likely that all three species will become more extensively distributed across Switzerland, with a yet unknown environmental impact.

Meteor plasmas and impact events are complex, dynamic natural phenomena. Simulating these processes in the laboratory is, however, a challenge. The technique of laser induced dielectric breakdown was first used for this purpose almost 50 years ago. Since then, laser-based experiments have helped to simulate high energy processes in the Tunguska and Chicxulub impact events, heavy bombardment on the early Earth, prebiotic chemical evolution, space weathering of celestial bodies and meteor plasma. This review summarizes the current level of knowledge and outlines possible paths of future development.

The origin of water and volatile compounds on planets including Earth is a hotly debated topic in planetary science. For example, many dynamic models suggest that the majority of Earth’s water and volatile elements were added from an external source. The stellar wind irradiation of rocky oxygen-containing minerals results in a reaction between H ^+ ions and silicate minerals to produce water and OH, which could explain the presence of water in the regoliths of airless worlds such as the Moon, as well as the water abundances in asteroids. Here, we used the method of high-resolution infrared spectrometry and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) with mass detection to observe and for the first time quantify water formation on the surfaces of oxygen-bearing minerals. We tested 14 different mineral and natural samples and observed the formation of water on their surfaces upon exposure to H ^+ or D ^+ irradiation. The samples, including two meteorite samples (RAS 445 and SAU 567), were shown to have a water adsorption capacity between 0.09 and 0.7 wt%. The adsorbed water (likely dissociatively adsorbed) remains on the surface at pressures as low as 10 ^−9 mbar (in the TPD experiment) and temperatures as high as 600 K, which suggests a possible transfer over long distances and timescales. Our article has a general character and demonstrates that any interaction of oxygen-containing minerals with stellar radiation (H ^+ ions) leads to the generation of water adsorbed on the surface of the minerals. The case of the origin of water on Earth is taken as a prime example.

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations in central Europe are currently damaged by a large-scale infestation by bark beetles (Scolytinae). Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus are among the most aggressive species causing infestations of pine trees that are currently simultaneously attacked by Ips typographus. In pine plantations prone to damage, it is therefore necessary to carry out the bark beetle monitoring. One of the used methods is the pheromone bark beetle trapping using synthetic lures. The efficacy of synthetic lures differs. We tested the efficacy of commercially available lures used in the protection of pine trees. In total, we deployed 10 trap series, each consisting of traps with eight different lures and two unbaited traps (controls). Ips acuminatus and I. sexdentatus were most abundantly captured in Pheagr-IAC- and Sexowit-baited traps. Interestingly, the spruce species I. typographus was also captured and most often found in traps with Pheagr-IAC and Erosowit Tube lures. The number of captured beetles was consistent with the gradation phase of bark beetles. Our results suggest the suitability of pheromone traps for bark beetle monitoring. The use of Sexowit can be recommended especially in southwestern Moravia, where I. sexdentatus occurs in high numbers in the long run. In other parts of the Czech Republic, Pheagr-IAC alone can be used with sufficient efficacy. The use of the Erosowit Tube lure is also suitable for I. typographus and I. sexdentatus monitoring.

Abstract Chalcopyrite CuFeS2, a semiconductor with applications in chemical sector and energy conversion engineering, was synthetized in a planetary mill from elemental precursors. The synthesis is environmentally friendly, waste‐free and inexpensive. The synthesized nano‐powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, BET and UV/Vis techniques, tests of chemical reactivity and, namely, thermoelectric performance of sintered ceramics followed. The crystallite size of ∼13 nm and the strain of ∼17 were calculated for CuFeS2 powders milled for 60, 120, 180 and 240 min, respectively. The evolution of characteristic band gaps, Eg, and the rate constant of leaching, k, of nano‐powders are corroborated by the universal evolution of the parameter SBET/X (SBET‐specific surface area, X‐crystallinity) introduced for complex characterization of mechanochemically activated solids in various fields such as chemical engineering and/or energy conversion. The focus on non‐doped semiconducting CuFeS2 enabled to assess the role of impurities, which critically and often negatively influence the thermoelectric properties.

Pinus sylvestris is an important production tree. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the mortality of pine trees due to insect pests. It is obvious that some pests profit from climatic changes, increase their aggressiveness and spread to new localities. The study aimed to investigate the spectrum of more abundant insect pest species in pine plantations of Czechia. The occurrence of species and intensity of their infestation were studied at 77 localities situated in six regions. Any abundant foliophagous insect species were noticed. Bark beetles and wood-boring insects were found to be prevalent. Namely, Ips acuminatus, Ips sexdentatus, Phaenops cyanea and Sirex noctilio seem to be the most dangerous. These species are now better competitors than species previously considered as main pests. Their aggressiveness, expansion to new areas and interspecies co-occurrence are alarming. Due to the advancing climate change, pine mortality due to bark beetles and wood-boring pests will probably continue to increase.