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All important published records for 23 moth fly species known so far from Albania are reviewed (Phlebotominae 10 species, Psychodinae 13 species). Records of 5 Psychodidae (Phlebotominae 1, Psychodinae 4) species/subspecies are presented in this paper based on specimens collected by sweep-netting and UV light in Albania in 2022. Four species are recorded for the first time in Albania (namely: Jovamormia caliginosa (Eaton, 1893), Psychodocha cinerea Banks, 1894, Tinearia alternata (Say, 1824), Pericoma (Pericoma) motasi motasi Vaillant, 1978). The first checklist of Psychodidae of Albania is also listed. Key Words: Biodiversity, faunistics, moth flies, Phlebotominae, Psychodinae, Mormiini, Paramormiini, Psychodini, Pericomaini, Mediterranean Area, Europe, Palaearctic Region

Biting midges (Phlebotominae) are medically important vectors of human and veterinary disease-causing agents. This study presents the results of the field research of arthropods of A. van Harten in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the period of approximately 2005 – 2007 at a high number of localities (15 are mentioned here, with 9 species collected incl. five confirmed; 4 spp. are new for the fauna of the UAE: Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli, 1786), Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) baghdadis (Adler & Theodor, 1929), S. (Sergentomyia) schwetzi Adler, Theodor & Parrot, 1929, S. (Grassomyia) squamipleuris Newstead, 1912).

Tiny pieces of plastic, or microplastics, are one of the emerging pollutants in a wide range of different ecosystems. However, they have, thus far, not been confirmed from phytotelmata – specific small water-filled cavities provided by terrestrial plants. The authors confirmed microplastics (141 μm – 2.4 mm long fibres of several colour and blue and orange fragments with diameters of 9–81 μm) in quantities from 101 to 409 per ml in Dipsacus telmata from two different periods. The phytotelmata, therefore, appear to be possible indicators of current and future microplastic pollution of the environment. However, further research is needed to obtain accurate information and verify the methodology for possible assessment of the local environmental burden of microplastics.

The male of a new species Arisemus venustus sp. n. from Nicaragua, the Cerro Musun Natural Reserve, is described. A. atrasetus (Rapp, 1945) and Platyplastinx tango Quate et Brown, 2004 (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) from Nicaragua are redescribed and illustrated on the basis of male morphological characters.

The cavities in trees (called dendrotelmata) in an urban environment stand at the periphery of researchers’ attention. This paper presents new data on the occurrence of three Diptera species considered as endangered, namely Systenus leucurus Loew, 1859, S. tener Loew, 1859 (both Dolichopodidae), and Lepiseodina rothschildi (Eaton, 1912) (Psychodidae) from just such a specific urban ecosystem in Prešov. The latter two species were also recorded for the first time in Slovakia. The distribution and conservation status of the reported species are reviewed and briefly discussed.

In this study conducted in Granada province in southern Spain, we analysed the flying activity and sex-ratio variability of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (the spotted wing drosophila) in the context of environmental factors and compared it with co-occurring Drosophilidae in a village garden. The studied D. suzukii population showed overwintering capabilities and successful maintenance in village garden with non-crop plants. Its flight period showed two peaks: female-biased, in November, and male-biased, in May. The sex ratio varied throughout the year and was mostly female-biased. We observed the effect of temperature on Drosophilidae and rainfall and temperature on the D. suzukii. Catches of the studied species were minimal at the minimal temperatures below 0 °C, and absent or near absent when the maximal temperature exceeded 30 °C. Moreover, we did not observe D. suzukii in samples when the minimum temperature below 0 °C was combined with heavy rainfall. The spotted wing drosophila seems to be more sensitive to precipitation than native Drosophilidae, as its proportion in the samples decreased with increasing rainfall. This pest also shows more pronounced short peaks in which it makes an important proportion of the biocoenosis of in comparison with other Drosophilidae.

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

Mosquitoes and in particular their impact on human life and health are often the subject of applied research. Nevertheless, at present, basic research in this area, especially in cities seems to be neglected. This paper aims to bridge, at least in part, the gap in the knowledge of mosquito fauna at the local level and summarizes results of mosquitoes research in the Prešov town based on male morphological characters. In total, the presence of eight species of mosquitoes was confirmed in the study area (literary data and new records) which represents 15 % of the Slovak mosquito biodiversity.

A lectotype (male) and paralectotypes (male, female) of Pneumia vittata (Tonnoir, 1919) comb. nov. (= Pericoma crispi Freeman, 1953 syn. nov.) from Belgium are designated. The species is redescribed and illustrated, and a differential diagnosis is given. The former designation of a holotype, paratypes and paratypoids by Jung is invalid because it was not published. In addition, a problem with Tonnoiriella obtusa (Tonnoir, 1919) comb. nov. (= Tonnoiriella anchoriformis Salamanna, 1975 syn. nov.) from Belgium is resolved. A female specimen is designated as a lectotype, but only the dissected wings from this specimen are in condition suitable for redescription. There is additional non-type material collected later by Tonnoir; this material, including 3 females and 1 male, was the basis for redescription, illustrations and differential diagnosis. The unpublished male lectotype designated by Jung is invalid. Two species are added to the last checklist of Psychodidae from Belgium, raising the total number to 94.

Dolichopodid specimens were collected during a field work in Prešov town in 2019. Systenus slovakiensis sp. nov. from anthropogenic habitats is described. Differential diagnoses are given and illustrated. A key to females of Systenus species of the Palearctic is provided. From all other Palaearctic species of this genus, the new species is distinguished by snow-white trochanters and black femora.

Records of 16 species of the family Dolichopodidae from Azerbaijan and Georgia are given. Four species Campsicnemus armeniacus Negrobov, Manko, Hrivniak & Obona, 2017, Chrysotus pennatus Lichtwardt, 1902, Medetera kowarzi Negrobov, 1974, Rhaphium brevicorne Curtis, 1835 represent new records for Azerbaijan and increase species richness to 90 taxa. The completed checklist of long-legged flies of Georgia is presented. With five new country records, namely: Campsicnemus umbripennis Loew, 1856, Medetera murina Becker, 1917, Medetera truncorum Meigen, 1824, Sybistroma crinipes Stæger, 1842, Sympycnus pulicarius (Fallén, 1823), the checklist covers 71 taxa now.

New and interesting records of 60 Diptera species in ten families, namely Anisopodidae, Blephariceridae, Campichoetidae, Dixidae, Drosophilidae, Limoniidae, Lonchopteridae, Pediciidae, Psychodidae and Scatopsidae, are presented in this paper based on the specimens collected in Azerbaijan and Georgia. A total of 26 species are recorded for the first time for Transcaucasia, 32 species for Azerbaijan, and 33 species for Georgia. In addition, the first or updated checklists of the above ten families are given for these countries.

Psychodid specimens were sorted from samples collected during fieldwork in areas in and around the Caucasus Mountains in 2019. Thornburghiella montana sp. nov. (from Georgia) and Pericoma inopinata sp. nov. (from Azerbaijan and Georgia) are described. Differential diagnoses are given and diagnostic characters illustrated.

Known Plecoptera data published from Azerbaijan are critically reviewed. New records of 28 species are enumerated on the basis of specimens collected between 2017 and 2019, among them 16 are new for the fauna of Azerbaijan. Nemoura irani Aubert, 1964 is new for the whole Caucasian region, Leuctra sanainica Zhiltzova, 1960 and Plesioperla sakartvella (Zhiltzova, 1956) are new for the Greater Caucasus. The female and larva of an unknown Protonemura Kempny, 1898 species, collected in the Talysh Mts, are illustrated and described under temporary name Protonemura sp. AZE-1. A new species of Protonemura, collected both in the Azerbaijan and Georgian areas of the Greater Caucasus, will be formally described in a further paper. A male Protonemura specimen was found to be infected by mermithid worms, morphological lesions are illustrated and commented; this is the second documented case of mermithid infection in stoneflies. Subspecies level identity of Azerbaijani populations of Leuctra fusca (Linnaeus, 1758) proved to be problematic, morphological characters of the specimens are illustrated. Synonymy of Isoperla caucasica Balinsky, 1950 and I. pulchra Balinsky, 1950 under I. bithynica (Kempny, 1908) is disputed, the two names are combined under I. grammatica (Poda, 1761) sensu lato.

Records of 81 Psychodidae (Sycoracinae 4 spp., Psychodinae 76 spp.) species/subspecies are presented in this paper based on specimens collected in Bulgaria. 46 species are new records for Bulgaria (Sycoracinae 3 spp., Psychodinae 43 spp.). The Psychodidae fauna of Bulgaria now comprises 99 species (Phlebotominae 5 spp., Sycoracinae 5 spp., Trichomyiinae 1 sp., and Psychodinae 88 spp.).

This caddisfly study is based mostly on the material collected in the framework of the International Visegrad Fund reseach project on the aquatic insects of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Applying the principles and procedures of fine phenomics we have delineated and characterised several Trichoptera species complexes; reinstated the species status of Hydropsyche derek Oláh & Kiss, 2015 stat. rest., Badukiella subnigra Oláh, 1985 stat. rest., Rhyacophila aliena Martynov, 1916 stat. rest., Stenophylax caspicus (Schmid, 1959) stat. rest., Stenophylax lasarea (Oláh, 1985) stat rest.; raised the subspecies status to species rank of Halesus caucasicus Oláh, 1985 stat. nov. and Potamophylax armeniacus Mey, 1979 stat. nov.; described the Sakala gen. nov in the Limnephilini tribe; and furthermore 70 species new to science: Wormaldia davidi Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., W. elvesta Oláh sp. nov., W. harma Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., W. holaga Oláh & Manko sp. nov., W. hoska Oláh sp. nov., W. kimera Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., W. kitera Oláh sp. nov., W. obola Oláh sp. nov., W. sakaorum Oláh sp. nov., W. tomora Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Diplectrona albanica Oláh sp. nov., D. georgica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., D. serbica Oláh sp. nov., Hydronema turkestanica Oláh sp. nov., Hydropsyche harmada Oláh sp. nov., H. rovnaka Oláh sp. nov., H. togana Oláh & Kerimova sp. nov., H. pupka Oláh sp. nov., H. sukula Oláh sp. nov., H. ejsaka Oláh sp. nov., Agapetus gouriensis Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Rhyacophila kveda Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. nakra Oláh & Vinçon, R. zekara Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. gouria Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. mtirala Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. ordua Oláh sp. nov., R. rizea Oláh sp. nov., R. sacokia Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. trabzona Oláh sp. nov., R. iranica Oláh sp. nov., R. kora Oláh sp. nov., R. pakistanica Oláh sp. nov., R. kimara Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Apataniana bacurianica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., A. goderdza Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., A. kintrisha Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Drusus erdes Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., D. sukul Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., D. teslenkoae Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., D. alapos Oláh sp. nov., D. chechensis Oláh sp. nov., D. csupasz Oláh sp. nov., D. johansoni Oláh sp. nov., D. megnot Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., D. mankoi Oláh sp. nov., D. janjulae Oláh sp. nov., Sakala adjarica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Badukiella kinula Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., B. kurta Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Chaetopteryx vinconi Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., Kelgena adjarica Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., K. bakurianica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., K. bunka Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., K. imeretica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., K. meyi Oláh sp. nov., K. parhuza Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., K. svanetica Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., K. tolaka Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., K. topora Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Rizeiella bayae Vinçon & Oláh sp. nov., R. ereda Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. odva Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., R. oldala Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., R. tavola Oláh & Vinçon sp. nov., Halesus kampos Oláh sp. nov., H. karmos Oláh sp. nov., Stenophylax vallas Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., S. ujjas Oláh & Kovács sp. nov., Ernodes ordubadensis Oláh & Kerimova sp. nov.

Traps made from PET bottles were used to assess the efficiency of four baits in terms of the number of individuals for selected Diptera families collecting in Eastern Slovak gardens in summer and autumn. Bait used in traps significantly affected the taxonomical composition of the samples obtained. Moreover, significant differences in bait efficiencies and temporal shift in bait efficiencies were confirmed for the Diptera order and for selected dipteran families. The most effective bait for baited-trap Diptera sampling was beer, followed by wine, meat, and syrup from the summer sampling season. In the autumn sampling season, the wine was most effective, followed by beer, syrup, and meat. For the family Scatopsidae wine, and for the family Platystomatidae, meat were the most effective baits. Drosophilidae were most attracted to beer in summer and to wine bait in autumn.

Results of faunistic research of aquatic Coleoptera in seven Natura 2000 Sites of Community Importance are presented in this paper. Altogether, 50 species were recorded. One species, Helochares (Helochares) punctatus Sharp, 1869, is recorded as new to the fauna of Slovakia. Three very rare species in Slovakia (Dryops similaris Bollow 1936, Limnius intermedius Fairmaire, 1881, and Hydraena excisa Kiesenwetter, 1849) were found at new sites. First faunistic records on aquatic Coleoptera from two important protected sites are presented. Furthermore, data on the occurrence of several species and on the water beetle diversity of partial river basins of Slovakia were considerably extended.

Loaches (genus Cobitis) in Slovakian tributaries (Danube River Basin) are represented by diploid-polyploid hybrid complexes of C. elongatoides and C. tanaitica. Uniquely, their coexistence is made possible by the presence of polyploid (mainly triploid) females that are sexually dependant on diploid male sperm (donors) for gynogenesis. Information on the spatial distribution of Cobitis with of differing ploidy remains relatively scarce. The main aim of this study, therefore, was to identify in ploidy in the species preferred microhabitat. Overall, 345 Cobitis were recorded in Rivers Okna and Ondava (Danube Basin) between 2011 and 2015, with 316 diploid and triploid individuals detected by flow cytometry examined were studied for the microhabitat preferences with the using the point sample method. The sex ratio differed significantly between localities, while diploid-polyploid ratio not. Moreover, each of ploidy-sex forms (i.e. diploid male, diploid female, triploid female) showed a preference for a specific substrate composition, velocity, depth and distance from the bank at both localities. Mixed effect linear models identified clear differences in fine substrate between seasons for individuals from the River Okna. Similarly, non-metric multidimensional scaling detected differences in environmental variables preference for both diploid and triploid forms. These finding indicate specific spatial and temporal microhabitat preference for diploid (sexual donors) and triploid (asexuals) C. elongatoides × C. tanaitica when coexisting as mixed a population.

The variations in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages across the three types of farmland habitats, arable land, meadows and woody vegetation were studied in relation to vegetation cover structure, intensity of agrotechnical interventions and selected soil properties. Material was pitfall trapped in 2010 and 2011 on twelve sites of the agricultural landscape in the Prešov town and its near vicinity, Eastern Slovakia. A total of 14,763 ground beetle individuals were entrapped. Material collection resulted into 92 Carabidae species, with the following six species dominating: Poecilus cupreus, Pterostichus melanarius, Pseudoophonus rufipes, Brachinus crepitans, Anchomenus dorsalis and Poecilus versicolor. Studied habitats differed significantly in the number of entrapped individuals, activity abundance as well as representation of the carabids according to their habitat preferences and ability to fly. However, no significant distinction was observed in the diversity, evenness neither dominance. The most significant environmental variables affecting Carabidae assemblages species variability were soil moisture and herb layer 0-20 cm. Another best variables selected by the forward selection were intensity of agrotechnical interventions, humus content and shrub vegetation. The other from selected soil properties seem to have just secondary meaning for the adult carabids. Environmental variables have the strongest effect on the habitat specialists, whereas ground beetles without special requirements to the habitat quality seem to be affected by the studied environmental variables just little., Zmeny v spoločenstvách bystruškovitých (Coleoptera: Carabidae) troch typov habitatov poľnohospodárskej krajiny, t.j. ornej pôdy, trvalo trávnych porastov a mimolesnej krovinovej vegetácie boli sledované v závislosti od štruktúry vegetačnej pokrývky, intenzity agrotechnických zásahov a vybraných pôdnych vlastností. Materiál bol zbieraný metódou formalínových zemných pascí v rokoch 2010 a 2011 v rámci 12-tich stanovíšť poľnohospodárskej krajiny v urbánnej zóne mesta Prešov a jeho blízkeho okolia na východnom Slovensku. V rámci uvedeného zberu bolo odchytených celkovo 14 763 jedincov a determinovaných 92 druhov bystruškovitých. Dominantnými druhmi boli: Poecilus cupreus, Pterostichus melanarius, Pseudoophonus rufipes, Brachinus crepitans, Anchomenus dorsalis and Poecilus versicolor. Spoločenstvá sledovaných biotopov sa signifikantne líšili v počte odchytených jedincov, epigeickej aktivite ako aj zastúpení bystrušiek vo vzťahu k ich habitatovým preferenciám a letovým schopnostiam. Výskum však nepotvrdil signifikantné rozdiely v diverzite, ekvitabilite ani dominancii. Z nami sledovaných environmentálnych premenných kompozíciu spoločenstva bystruškovitých najvýznamnejšie ovplyvňuje pôdna vlhkosť a vegetačný kryt s výškou 0-20 cm. Ďalšími významnými premennými, ktoré vplývajú na kompozíciu spoločenstva sú intenzita agrotechnických zásahov, obsah pôdneho humusu a krovinová vegetácia. Ostatné zo sledovaných pôdnych vlastností majú na dospelé jedince bystrušiek len sekudárny vplyv. Rovnako, environmentálne premenné najvýraznejšie ovplyvňujú habitatových špecialistov, zatiaľ čo druhy bystrušiek bez vyhranených nárokov na podmienky prostredia sú ovplyvnené uvedenými faktormi len málo.

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

One new moth fly species (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) is described and illustrated on the basis of male morphological characters: Thornburghiella veve sp. nov. was collected in the vicinity of Pambak River in the mountains of Armenia. Differential diagnoses are given for males of four additional species of Thornburghiella from Transcaucasia, Asia Minor and Central Asia.

Background. Many of Cobitis subpopulations exist as diploid–polyploid hybrid complexes where polyploid gynogenetic females act as “sperm parasites” of diploid individuals. In addition to sexual strategy, the life history of such individuals is also affected by their growth performance. In order to elucidate unknown aspects of the Cobitis hybrid complexes we decided to identify differences in the annual size increments between individuals representing different ploidy and sex, and to compare the condition factor expressed by length–weight (L–W) relation within the same ploidy and sex groups. Materials and methods. In total, 158 specimens representing Cobitis elongatoides (Băcescu et Mayer, 1969) × Cobitis tanaitica (Băcescu et Mayer, 1969) hybrid complex were caught in August and September 2014, of which 132 were analysed. The fish were caught in the Okna River (Danube River basin), Slovakia. Sex was determined based on externally visible morphological features or based on microscopic observation of the gonads. Ploidy level was determined by means of flow cytometry on fin clips taken from each specimen. Age was estimated based on the total number of annuli visible on vertebrae. All statistical models were performed in the R statistical environment. Results. Sex ratio varied within age classes, with 3+ fish primarily composed of females and, 4+ fish mostly triploid. Maximum back-calculated lengths for diploid females were obtained up to 3+, and for the 4+ age group for triploid. L–W relations for adult males and females also differed significantly, but did not vary between diploid and triploid females. There were differences in at specific body lengths for Cobitis with different ploidy level. Diploid males were characterised by short annual age and length increments during the first two years of life. Annual increments in diploid females were highest overall though their frequency decreased after the reaching the fourth year of life (3+). On the contrary, annual increments in triploid females were the lowest within all groups until their fourth year, thought their frequency in the oldest age group (4+). Conclusion. In our study, we first confirmed that yearly increments and maximal age of Cobitis individuals are affected by different ploidy. Contrary, the L–W relations of gutted diploid and triploid females did not differ and they were affected only by sex. We suggest that the intensity of growth is more affected by ploidy, while the L–W of Cobitis is determined by intensity of feeding and stage of gonad development at the local conditions during season. Therefore, in the future studies of Cobitis growth and condition parameters the ploidy level of individuals should also be considered.

Although the invasion of exotic plants has been recognised as the serious cause of the biodiversity loss and natural habitats degradation and threat to the ecosystems functions, just the little attention has been paid to the potential impacts of the goldenrod invasion on the soil properties. Equally, currently obtained results are contrary and ambiguous. We tested whether the grass fields invaded and uninvaded by Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) differ in pH, soil moisture, organic carbon (Cox), humus and P, K and Mg contents and related the variations to the chosen environmental variables. We did not find significant distinctions of the studied types of habitats in the selected physico-chemical soil properties as well as the relation between the goldenrod invasion and the changes in soil properties. Nevertheless, whereas the soil reaction, soil moisture and Mg content were higher in the invaded soils, the Cox, humus and P and K contents were higher in the uninvaded ones. Doubtless, further attention need to be paid to this problem.

SummaryAn inventory of species from families Brachystomatidae, Empididae and Hybotidae from random and non-intensive samplings from Uzh River Basin in the Ukraine is presented. Thirteen empidid species [Empis (E.) filata, Hemerodromia oratoria, Hilara flavipes, H. hyposeta, H. intermedia, H. lasiochira, H. litorea, H. media, Chelifera precatoria, C. trapezina, Rhamphomyia (Aclonempis) longipes, R. (Holoclera) nigripennis, Wiedemannia (W.) tricuspidata], and three hybotid species (Crossopalpus curvinervis, Oedalea stigmatella, Platypalpus longiseta) are recorded for the first time for the fauna of the Ukraine. Ukrainian checklists of these families are summarized for Brachystomatidae with two species, for Empididae with 57 species and for Hybotidae with 91 species.