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Background: The univoltine leaf beetle Phyllotreta ochripes (Curtis, 1837b) is native to the Palaearctic Region from Japan to western Europe. This species was previously evaluated as a potential biological control agent against invasive populations of the woodland weed Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Brassicaceae) in North America, but rejected because it could harm native and at-risk populations of Brassicaceae. New information: First North American records are presented for Phyllotreta ochripes (Curtis, 1837). Specimens were examined from the USA: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Internet photographs of apparent additional individuals from USA: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Canada: Ontario were also examined. DNA barcoding analysis showed high genetic variability and possible cryptic species within European populations of P. ochripes. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish P. ochripes. from other North American Chrysomelidae and a species distribution model to assess its potential spread in North America is presented. Phyllotreta ochripes breeds on invasive garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Brassicaceae) and also non-native Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser and other species of Brassicaceae. A species distribution model and the range of its host plant A. petiolata, indicates the most suitable conditions for this species are in humid areas of eastern North America. However, most of the known records of this species were discovered in areas projected to have low suitability. This is likely a consequence of sampling bias towards western Europe and away from the eastern Asian portion of its native range. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 72 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opatroides punctulatus Brullé, 1832 is a detritivore tenebrionid beetle native to the Old World that was detected in the United States over 20 years ago. It is well adapted to Mediterranean climates between 30°N and 45°N, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. We confirm the presence of this species in south‑west Idaho. This work expands its distribution range >500 km northeast from the previous report. Opatroides punctulatus could become a common pest and even displace native Tenebrionidae species.

The univoltine leaf beetle Phyllotreta ochripes (Curtis, 1837b) is native to the Palaearctic Region from Japan to western Europe.This species was previously evaluated as a potential biological control agent against invasive populations of the woodland weed Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Brassicaceae) in North America, but rejected because it could harm native and at-risk populations of Brassicaceae.First North American records are presented for Phyllotreta ochripes (Curtis, 1837). Specimens were examined from the USA: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Internet photographs of apparent additional individuals from USA: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Canada: Ontario were also examined. DNA barcoding analysis showed high genetic variability and possible cryptic species within European populations of P. ochripes. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish P. ochripes. from other North American Chrysomelidae and a species distribution model to assess its potential spread in North America is presented.Phyllotreta ochripes breeds on invasive garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Brassicaceae) and also non-native Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser and other species of Brassicaceae.A species distribution model and the range of its host plant A. petiolata, indicates the most suitable conditions for this species are in humid areas of eastern North America. However, most of the known records of this species were discovered in areas projected to have low suitability. This is likely a consequence of sampling bias towards western Europe and away from the eastern Asian portion of its native range. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 72 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae.

Background. By now, Helianthus L. spp. have spread out to many parts of the world as cultivated or adventive plants. Herbarium collections, published sources, and our own data were used to study the emergence, distribution, environmental patterns, and adaptation of 6 species and 1 subspecies of Helianthus L. in the Russian Far East and in East Asia.Materials and methods. Field studies in the Russian Far East were carried out using the route-based method from 2001 through 2022 over Amur Province, and Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. The data for the entire area of studies were retrieved from published sources and official web databases. Maps with Helianthus growing sites were made using the MapInfo software. Results and conclusions. Changes in environmental conditions contributed to the expansion of the range of H. annuus L. and H. tuberosus L. Actively cultivated in the Russian Far East and in East Asia, these two species are obviously quite localized to areas with a mild, warm and humid climate. Other Helianthus spp. are distributed to a much lesser extent, being in most cases poorly adapted to uncultivated growth in the Russian Far East or East Asia. Increased occurrence of H. annuus subsp. lenticularis (Douglas ex Lindl.) Cockerell in agrocenoses of Amur Province is probably associated with underpurified soybean material. Higher distribution of H. strumosus L. across ruderal communities in Japan, contrary to the other studied areas, is likely to have been induced by specific climate conditions. On the whole, the physical geography, the pace and degree of anthropogenic pressure, and the climate change impacts in East Asia and the Russian Far East favored successful naturalization, albeit uneven distribution, of H. annuus and H. tuberosus in various disturbed communities, in contrast to H. rigidus (Cass.) Desf., H. laetiflorus Pers., or H. petiolaris Nutt.

Overall, 34 local floras of vascular plants were analyzed at testing sites in the Middle Volga region with an area of 400 km2. Noticeable differences were revealed in the nature of correlations between the number of species of adventitious and native flora fractions and environmental factors: climate and relief. In the region, the number of native species is negatively related to air temperature, evaporation rates, and water deficit, while adventive species show a positive relationship with these characteristics. Adventive species are more often found in gently sloping lowlands in polygons characterized by increased elevation differences and drainage area. In general, adventitious species are more associated with semi-arid conditions in sites with relatively high ranges of environmental factors and standard deviation. Multiple regression showed that adventive species are more closely related to environmental factors than native species. In the region, adventive species are distributed predominantly in places (ecotopes) with increased environmental heterogeneity. An analysis of the relationships with environmental factors of the studied fractions may indicate that their distribution on the test sites is consistent, as a result of which they do not show opposition, which is also confirmed by the weak positive relationship between the richness of their species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The univoltine leaf beetle Psylliodes attenuata (Koch, 1803) is a pest of Cannabis and Humulus (Cannabaceae) and native to the Palaearctic Region, known from eastern Asia to western Europe.First North American records are presented for P. attenuata from Canada: Ontario and Québec. Adult beetle feeding damage to hops Humulus lupulus L. (Cannabacaea) plants is recorded from Québec. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish P. attenuata from other North American Chrysomelidae and a preliminary assessment of its potential to spread in North America is presented. While our climate analysis is limited by a lack of data, it appears P. attenuata is physiologically capable of persisting throughout the range of Humulus in North America.The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 71 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae.

In this study, we present new distribution data of 79 alien plant species from Hungary collected over the last few years. Of the listed species, five are new to the Hungarian flora: Bidens connata, Dianthus giganteus, Guizotia abyssinica, Oenothera deflexa, Polypogon monspeliensis. Several occurrences of Bidens connata were recorded in riparian vegetation in the middle and lower sections of the Tisza river. Dianthus giganteus, a rarely planted ornamental, was encountered in closed grasslands in some parts of the Balaton Uplands and the Rába Valley. The East-African Guizotia abyssinica - probably introduced with fish food - appears occasionally so far. Oenothera deflexa was found in an old-field on Hatvan Plain, while Polypogon monspeliensis turned up in a gravel pit at Rábapaty. Symphoricarpos or-biculatus is presumably already a more widespread, under-mapped species, and is expected to occur near settlements mainly. We report the first occurrence of Artemisia verlotiorum - a species of high invasive potential - from the Szigetköz section of the Danube. We illustrate on maps the spread of Euphorbia maculata and Lepidium densiflorum, which spread rapidly in the last two to three decades and are now widespread in Hungary. We add ample new data to the distribution of Lepidium oblongum, which appeared along railway lines a few years ago and has spread intensively since then, and on Plantago coronopus, which has been present along transport routes for a decade. We report on the recurrent appearence of Eclipta prostrata in riparian environments, the rapid spread of Torilis nodosa in dry habitats in the settlements of the Balaton region, and clarify the current status of invasion for Panicum dichotomiflorum, P. riparium and Setaria faberi based on numerous new observations. For the first time, we report on the occurrence of Albizia julibrissin, Chenopodium pumilio, Euphorbia serpens and Parietaria judaica in Western Transdanubia, and that of Lepidium virginicum in the Transdanubian Mountains. In the future, Leymus arenarius is expected to become a dangerous invasive species in sandy areas, Elymus elongatus in dry grasslands, Buddleja davidii and Pyracantha coccinea in shrublands, and Pennisetum alopecuroides in urban lawns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the chromosome numbers (2n) for 13 alien species from the families Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae collected in the Novosibirsk Region. For Echinops sphaerocephalus L. (2n = 30), Silphium perfoliatum L. (2n = 14) and Brassica napus L. (2n = 38), chromosome numbers were determined for the first time on the material from Russia; for Arenaria serpyllifolia L. (2n = 40) – from Siberia; for Avena sativa L. (2n = 42), Secale cereale L. (2n = 14) – from West Siberia. Chromosome numbers on the material from the Novosibirsk Region were revealed for the first time for Axyris amaranthoides L. (2n = 18), Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn. (2n = 34), Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 16), Triticum aestivum L. (2n = 42), Malva verticillata L. (2n ≈ 84). For all the species studied, brief notes on their general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region are provided, along with literature data on chromosome numbers from other regions of Russia.

In this paper we report our floristic observations in urban and suburban areas of Szeged. We provide data from downtown, peri-urban, Tisza-side, railway-associated, and various ruderal habitats. In total, we present occurrence data for 40 plant species, seven of which are protected in Hungary. Some of the species presented have been already known in Szeged in some form, but their data are often very old (e.g. Allium rotundum, Chenopodium vulvaria, Reseda phyteuma, Thrincia nudicaulis) and/or the species are very rare in the Southern Great Plain (e.g. Chenopodium botrys, Ch. murale, Sherardia arvensis). Among protected species, the new occurrences of Acorus calamus on the banks of the Tisza and Reseda inodora in the new urban areas are worth mentioning. The occurrences of several alien species that recently appeared in the country are also described for which there are no previous records from the Crisicum or its southern part (e.g. Erigeron sumatrensis, Torilis nodosa); several of the latter are newer occurrences associated with railways (Chenopodium pumilio, Geranium purpureum, Lepidium oblongum etc.). We also report data from the riverbank of Tisza in Szeged and from the river itself (Bidens cernua, Crypsis schoenoides, Najas marina etc.). Cyperus esculentus and Ornithogalum refr actum have earlier records from the city as herbarium specimens, but due to their misidentification they have not been included in the public record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American cicada of grapevine Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch, 1851) is reported as a new adventive species to the fauna of the Republic of Moldova. The cicada is widely distributed in the USA and Canada where it has been reported as a pest of wild and cultivated grapes, and other host plants. The presence of this species in Europe was detected in 2004 for the first time on Vitis vinifera in north-eastern Italy. The species was recorded soon in several European countries, such as Slovenia (2010), Romania (2018), Switzerland and Serbia (2019). In 2022, E. vulnerata was collected for the first time in southwest of the Republic of Moldova, the specimens of cicada were caught on ultraviolet light traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The univoltine leaf beetle Chrysolina fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) is native to in the Palearctic Region from eastern Siberia to western Europe.First North American records are presented for C. fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), as confirmed by vouchered specimens from Canada: Nova Scotia. Additional citizen science records from USA: Vermont are also discussed. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish C. fastuosa from other North American Chrysomelidae and a species distribution model to assess its potential spread in North America is presented. This insect is expected to cause some feeding damage to above-ground parts of ornamental and invasive Lamiaceae, especially species of Galeopsis L. The species distribution model and the range of its host plant Galeopsis tetrahit, suggest the north-eastern US and south-eastern Canada, from the Atlantic coast to the west end of Lake Superior provide the most suitable conditions for this species. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 70 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae.

This paper presents the chromosome numbers (2n) for 12 alien species collected in the Novosibirsk Region from the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Campanulaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae. For Asclepias syriaca L. (2n = 22), Veronica filiformis Sm. (2n = 14), Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. (2n = 18), and Sorghum drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) Millsp. et Chase (2n = 20), chromosome numbers were determined for the first time on the material from Russia; for Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip. (2n = 18), Campanula persicifoliaL. (2n = 16), and Genista tinctoria L. (2n = 48) – from Asian Russia; for Calendula officinalis L. (2n = 32) and Rudbeckia hirta L. (2n = 38) – from Siberia. Chromosome numbers on the material from the Novosibirsk Region were revealed for the first time for Lapsana communis L. (2n = 14) and Silene noctiflora L. (2n = 24). For all the species studied, brief notes on their general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region are provided, along with literature data on chromosome numbers from other regions of Russia.

A systematic position of Sacodes martae (Gusakov, 2022), comb. n. previously described from Moscow in the genus Elodes Latreille, 1797 is considered. Female genitalia are illustrated for the first time based on paratypes specimens (two females). The genus Sacodes LeConte, 1854 is distributed mainly in Asia (in Russia from Western Siberia to Far East). Isolated records of the species from the City of Moscow may confirm his accidental importation, and that Sacodes martae, probably, is adventive species for European part of Russia

In the past decade, several species of platygastroid wasps were found to be adventive in North America and Europe while under evaluation in quarantine as biological control agents of invasive pests. The scope and relative risk of this phenomenon is not fully known, but it is clearly a trend with implications for classical biological control. As a means of assessing the issue and to provide a global baseline, we implemented a data-mining approach with DNA sequences in the Barcode of Life Database, yielding 201 platygastroid BINs with intercontinental and island distributions. At least fifty-five BINs displayed exact COI barcode matches across continents, with many more BINs scored as inconclusive due to sequence length variation. These intercontinental and island BINs include biocontrol agents known to be adventive, as well as many species identified only to genus with uncertain geographic origins. We provide 2,500 identifications for platygastroid BOLD BINs, 88% to genus, to encourage additional research on this distributional phenomenon. The intercontinental BOLD BINs were compared to literature records and GBIF occurrences of cosmopolitan species to identify gaps and discordance across data sources. Smaller COI barcode datasets from localities in Florida and Germany, including topotypical specimens, revealed more intercontinental matches. We analyzed COI sequences in BOLD for the entirety of Insecta and Araneae to assessthis phenomenon more broadly and because these taxa contain many hosts for platygastroid wasps. This method revealed that the intercontinental distribution phenomenon is widespread with implications for assessing biological diversity, taxonomic methodology and regulatory frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Petropavlovsk estuary landscape reserve and its surroundings are subject to significant anthropogenic influence as a result of human activity. That is why the analysis of phytodiversity is important in order to get an idea of the level of transformation of the territory of the reserve. In the course of the work, an ecomorphological analysis of flora was carried out and anthropogenic influence on phytocenoses was revealed. A list of plants with bio-ecological certification, which were discovered during research, was compiled. Three points were chosen for research. During the work, 16 descriptions were made at these points, with different projective cover by vegetation twice during the growing season. The flora is characterized by a small variety of species - 94 higher vascular plants belonging to 33 families. Astracaea, Poacaea, and Rosacaea are among the main families with the greatest abundance of species. Hemicryptophytes predominate among climate morphs, and species that are partially lightdemanding among ecomorphs. Biomorphs are characterized by the dominance of polycarps (perennial plants). Hygromesophyte and xerophyte species predominate in the hygrospectrum of the flora. Species with medium moisture conditions make up 16%. The share of xerophytes in conditions of moderate moisture is 7%. Species that show wide tolerance to moisture conditions make up 2%. Among trophomorphs, mesotrophic species completely dominate. The coenomorphic structure is mainly represented by typical types of bows. In all descriptions there is a ruderal fraction, as well as species that partially or facultatively belong to this group. Due to the obvious anthropogenic influence (fouling which is a consequence of recreational and economic activities plowing, livestock grazing, there are signs of technogenic load), plant associations are poorly developed. The total fraction of adventitious species is 29%, of which 14% of species form a stable fraction in the investigated phytocenoses. There are two species, that are considered to be quarantined. Tree and shrub vegetation is very poorly developed and makes up less than 5% of the entire flora and is in a state of degression. The research area needs further observations of the state of transformational changes in vegetation that are occurring at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I present my recently observed floristic data on the Danube-Tisza Interfluve. I report a total of 117 species of vascular plants, of which 27 are protected and 3 are strictly protected. As the landscape of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve is diverse, these data come from a wide range of habitats: disturbed and natural dry, mesophilic and wet grasslands, forest edges, and different weed communities. I also provide a considerable amount of data from various sec ondary habitats: forest plantations, cemeteries, buildings, habitats along railroads, road verges, dry canal beds, water-filled canals, and ruderal habitats in urban environments. My data cover a total of nine microregions, the most prominent of which are: the Bácska Loess Plain, the Bugac Sand Ridge, the Dorozsma-Majsa Sand Ridge, the Kiskunság Sand Ridge and the Kiskunság Loess Ridge. For protected plant species, most noteworthy are the new observations of Apium repens, Epipactis bugacensis, E. atrorubens, Ranunculus illyricus, Muscari botryoides, Ophrys sphegodes, Vicia biennis. From a phytogeographical perspective, the most important new records are those of Galium tenuissimum, G. parisiense, Spiranthes spiralis and Bifora radians in the Kiskunság, and that of Ornithogalum refr actum in the Praematricum. From secondary habitats, I report the occurrence of five fern species, one of which (Asplenium ceterach) was not previously reported from the Great Hungarian Plain. I also present recent localities for certain alien plant species, some of which have barely known occurrence or historical data even at the country level (Echium plantagineum, Persicaria orientalis, Periploca graeca), and some of which are poorly known for the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (e.g., Lepidium densiflorum, L. virginicum, Geranium purpureum, Taeniatherum caput-medusae, Humulus scandens). The paper also describes the occurrence of several species for which there are no previous records from the region or microregion, only historical records are available, or data are scarce (Alcea biennis, Arabis glabra, Arctium minus, Chenopodium botrys, Ch. murale, Herniaria incana, Melilotus dentatus, Potentilla inclinata, Reseda luteola, Vicia pannonica subsp. striata, Vulpia myuros etc.). New records for several aquatic plant species (e.g., Najas marina, Lemna gibba, Wolffia arrhiza) are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The univoltine leaf beetle Chrysolina fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) is native to in the Palearctic Region from eastern Siberia to western Europe. New information First North American records are presented for C. fastuosa (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), as confirmed by vouchered specimens from Canada: Nova Scotia. Additional citizen science records from USA: Vermont are also discussed. Diagnostic information is presented to distinguish C. fastuosa from other North American Chrysomelidae and a species distribution model to assess its potential spread in North America is presented. This insect is expected to cause some feeding damage to aboveground parts of ornamental and invasive Lamiaceae, especially species of Galeopsis L. The species distribution model and the range of its host plant Galeopsis tetrahit, suggest the north-eastern US and south-eastern Canada, from the Atlantic coast to the west end of Lake Superior provide the most suitable conditions for this species. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 70 or more species of adventive Chrysomelidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spontaneous appearance of the annual plant, Veronica cardiocarpa Walp. (Plantaginaceae), from Central and Minor Asia was recorded in the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 1983 as a result of unintentional introduction. It was the first documented occurrence outside of its natural range. V. cardiocarpa has been widespread within the Botanical Garden since 2007, and the first location outside the Botanical Garden was discovered in 2010. Later, the presence of V. cardiocarpa was noted in Chernihiv, as well as new locations in Kyiv. This species has become a new invasive plant of the flora of Ukraine, because it occupies new areas and shows high seed productivity. Additionally, V. cardiocarpa has high seed germination under certain conditions that were established during our experiment, consisting of four variants and a control. The conditions of the second variant—cold stratification with low positive temperatures for two months and germination of seeds at + 18–20 °C—were the most favourable—49 ± 4.36% germinated seeds began to appear on the third day after completion of stratification. Moreover, some indirect facts show that V. cardiocarpais is already deeply integrated in local urban ecosystems. Therefore, the main stages of the adaptation and spreading of V. cardiocarpa have been studied and described in Ukraine in this research. Information about a new location of this species in the Russian Federation significantly changed the understanding of V. cardiocarpa distribution in Eastern Europe. Finally, in this article, we discuss the important matter of dealing with the V. cardiocarpa invasion, and some approaches to prevent similar cases of the new alien species penetration through collections of botanical gardens and arboreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive alien species Cynaeus angustus (LeConte, 1851) was detected for the first time in Bulgaria. In 2020-2022, eight exemplars of this North American pest were collected at three sites along the Danube River. Its distribution, microhabitat affinity, food preferences as well as some methods for control are outlined. Photographs of the adult habitus, male genitalia and female ovipositor are also provided.

IntroductionLand use changes have seriously fragmented grasslands leading to extensive biodiversity loss worldwide. Habitat fragmentation affects grasslands at both local and landscape scales, adversely affecting the probability of species colonisation and extinction. In our study, we addressed the effects of fragment size and landscape-scale habitat connectivity on the vegetation composition in two grassland types, i.e., loess steppe fragments (situated on kurgans) and sand steppe fragments of the Pannonian forest steppe region.MethodsWe collected frequency data on vascular plant species in 12 1 m × 1 m quadrats in altogether 60 fragments along a connectivity gradient in sand steppes and loess steppe fragments. We analysed whether habitat specialists, generalists and exotic species were affected by the level of fragmentation based on species richness and traits related to local persistence (life span, clonality and soil seed bank type) and dispersal (dispersal strategy and seed mass) in the two grassland types using linear mixed-effects models.ResultsBased on our results, both fragment size and landscape-scale connectivity were important in shaping the trait composition of the vegetation. We observed more fragmentation effects in generalist than in specialist species. We found that isolation resulted in fewer specialist species with autochorous dispersal strategy in loess steppe fragments, but, at the same time, also fewer exotics. Isolated loess steppe fragments harboured fewer generalist species with persistent seed bank. Large loess steppe fragments supported more wind-dispersed species than smaller ones. In isolated sand steppe fragments, generalists were more frequent with endozoochorous dispersal strategy and without clonal propagation. Life span, clonal propagation and seed mass did not depend on the level of fragmentation in the two grassland types.DiscussionOur results imply that both sand and loess steppe fragments can rely to some extent on the persistence of clonal perennial specialist and generalist species in small and isolated patches to mitigate fragmentation effects. In conclusion, these processes should be supported by the preservation of large fragments, increase of habitat connectivity combined with targeted management of exotic species.

This paper presents the chromosome numbers (2n) for 13 alien species (from the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Solanaceae) in the Novosibirsk Region. For Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. (2n = 22) and Sisymbrium altissimum L. (2n = 14), chromosome numbers were determined for the first time on the material from Russia; for Betonica officinalis L. (2n = 16) – from Asian Russia; for Stachys annua (L.) L. (2n = 34) – from West Siberia. Chromosome numbers on the material from the Novosibirsk Region were revealed for the first time for Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. (2n = 24), Inula helenium L. (2n = 20), Sonchus oleraceus L. (2n = 18), Medicago sativa subsp. varia(Martyn) Arcang. (2n = 32), Rumex obtusifolius L. (2n = 20) and Solanum nigrum L. (2n = 48). For all the species studied, brief notes on their general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region are provided, along with literature data on chromosome numbers from other regions of Russia.

Thirty species of Curculionoidea (28 Curculionidae and one each of Brentidae and Nemonychidae) are reported as new records from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, most of them from the island of Newfoundland. As well, 13 species of Curculionidae and one of Brentidae previously recorded from Newfoundland are newly reported from Labrador, and one Curculionidae previously recorded from Labrador is newly reported from Newfoundland. The Palearctic species, Orthochaetes setiger ([Beck]), is herein reported as a new Canadian and North American record, with specimens documented from Newfoundland and British Columbia. Additions to the primary key for North American weevils are provided to help identify this genus among the North American fauna. Of the species of Curculionoidea previously recorded from the province in published literature, there is uncertain evidence for the occurrence of 14 species in the province as a whole or in the Labrador portion. Seven species are hereby removed from the faunal list for the province. One of those, Trachodes hispidus (Linnaeus), is also removed from the Canadian faunal list. The 134 species of Curculionoidea recorded from NL are listed and a brief synopsis of the fauna provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the record of Phyllactinia moricola, a new in Ukraine alien powdery mildew fungus, is reported. The teleomorph of the fungus was collected in October–December 2020 on Morus alba in Odesa. The description and illustrations of the studied material are provided. The disease caused by this species can significantly reduce the ornamental properties of mulberry, a popular plant that is often used in greenery in the settlements of Ukraine. It is noted that the fungus can spread to Southern Europe, where it may cause significant damage to horticulture and silk production.

Lepas (Anatifa) pectinata Spengler, 1793 is a common member of marine fouling in subtropical and tropical waters of the world's oceans. This article is the first record of this species from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan. A total of 117 specimens collected from the southwestern coast and the islands of the bay in 2015–2020 have been examined. The finding of small individuals and the presence of nauplii in mantle cavities indicate that L. pectinata reproduces successfully in the Sea of Japan. Due to the increasing amount of man-made marine litter, as well as climatic and hydrological conditions, L. pectinata has become a seasonal adventive species in the fauna of Peter the Great Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Reunion planthopper Euroxenus vayssieresi (Bonfils, Attie et Reynaud, 2001) is recorded from continental Africa for the first time. Sexual dimorphism in coloration and fifth instar larva of Eu.vayssieresi are described and the distribution pattern (chorotype) of this species is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During floristic research in 2017–2020 in the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we made new findings that complement the species composition of the flora of vascular plants in the territory of the Emirate and the UAE as a whole. The article provides data on 7 new ergasiophytes and ergasiophygophytes, alien to the Emirate of Fujairah: Asystasia gangetica T. Andersson (Acanthaceae) found growing wild in Dibba, A. gangetica subsp. micrantha (Nees) Y. F. Deng et N. H. Xia (Acanthaceae), as a weed in the nurseries of Dibba, Rul Dadna and Al Bidiya, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae), as a weed in Dibba town, Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) cultivated and becomes wild in Dibba town, Citrus ×limon (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) cultivated and often found growing wild in Dibba, the village of Sharm and other settlements of the Emirate, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. cultivated and becomes wild in Dibba, Rul Dadna, Al Bidiya and other places, and M. paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) cultivated and becomes wild in plant nurseries in Dibba and Al Bidiya. Asystasia gangetica, A. micrantha, and Centella asiatica are new alien species for Fujairah Emirate and the UAE, and Basella nigra, Murraya koenigii and M. paniculata are new also for Arabia as a whole. A brief history of the study of the flora of the UAE and a preliminary summary of its species diversity are also given.

Plant–pollinator interactions represent a crucial ecosystem function threatened by anthropogenic landscape changes. Disturbances that reduce plant diversity are associated with floral resource and pollinator declines. Establishing wildflower plantings is a major conservation strategy targeting pollinators, the success of which depends on long‐term persistence of seeded floral communities. However, most pollinator‐oriented seeding projects are monitored for a few years, making it difficult to evaluate the longevity of such interventions. Selecting plant species to provide pollinators diverse arrays of floral resources throughout their activity season is often limited by budgetary constraints and other conservation priorities. To evaluate the long‐term persistence of prairie vegetation seeded to support pollinators, we sowed wildflower seed mixes into plots on a degraded reclaimed strip‐mine landscape in central Ohio, USA. We examined how pollinator habitat quality, measured as floral abundance and diversity, changed over 10 years (2009–2019) in the absence of management, over the course of the blooming season within each year, and across three seed mixes containing different numbers and combinations of flowering plant species. Seeded species floral abundance declined by more than 75% over the study, with the largest decline occurring between the fifth and seventh summers. Native and non‐native adventive flowering plants quickly colonized the plots and represented >50% of floral community abundances on average. Floral richness remained relatively constant throughout the study, with a small peak one year after plot establishment. Plots seeded with High‐Diversity Mixes averaged two or three more species per plot compared with a Low‐Diversity Mix, despite having been seeded with twice as many plant species. Within years, the abundance and diversity of seeded species were lowest early in the blooming season and increased monotonically from June to August. Adventive species exhibited the opposite trend, such that complementary abundance patterns of seeded and adventive species blooms resulted in a relatively constant floral abundance across the growing season. Seeded plant communities followed classic successional patterns in which annual species quickly established and flowered but were replaced by perennial species after the first few summers. Long‐term data on establishment and persistence of flower species can guide species selection for future‐oriented pollinator habitat restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive alien species Cynaeus angustus (LeConte, 1851) was detected for the first time in Bulgaria. In 2020-2022, eight exemplars of this North American pest were collected at three sites along the Danube River. Its distribution, microhabitat affinity, food preferences as well as some methods for control are outlined. Photographs of the adult habitus, male genitalia and female ovipositor are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psix striaticeps (Dodd) is an egg-parasitoid wasp previously known only from the Old World. We report this species from twelve counties in Florida, which are the first records in the Western Hemisphere. It was collected in yellow cylinder traps and reared from the eggs of three stink bug species: Nezara viridula L., Chinavia marginata (Palisot de Beauvois), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood). A COI barcode analysis found a 100% match between the Floridian population and a specimen from South Africa. The prospects of using Ps. striaticeps as a biological control agent against exotic stink bugs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three common Western Palaearctic species of the weevil subfamily Entiminae are recorded from Yakutia for the first time: Otiorhynchus velutinus Germ., O. raucus (F.) and Omias puberulus Boh. The history of their appearance in the extant fauna of Yakutia is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the introduction of cattle, exotic dung beetles (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae) were imported into the Antipodes (Australia and New Zealand) and North America (primarily the United States) to accelerate the degradation of cattle dung on pastures. The history of dung beetle introductions between the two regions is similar but has not previously been assessed: this is important as new introductions are continuing in the regions. Here, we review these introduction programs, report on their current status, and discuss methodological advances. In doing so, we examine the accidental introduction of exotic (i.e. adventive) species and the contribution of both deliberately introduced and adventive species to endemic dung beetle faunas. Further, we provide a list of pest and parasite species whose populations can be reduced by dung beetle activity. We also identify a combined total of 37 introduced and 47 adventive dung beetle species that have become established in the Antipodes and North America, with exotic species dominating dung beetle assemblages from pasture habitats. Climatic and edaphic matches, the size of founding populations, abiotic and biotic stressors, and the time of year when releases are made are all critical determinants that affect the success of dung beetle introduction programs. Finally, we discuss opportunities, plus the risks and challenges associated with dung beetle introductions. We hope that this review will aid in the success of future introduction programs, either to enhance ecosystem services in areas that they are needed, or potentially to reestablish native species in regions where they have been extirpated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera traps (CT) were used in 2018 to assess the current state of the Przewalski’s horse (PH) population. Przewalski’s horses were introduced into the Ukrainian Chornobyl exclusion zone (CEZ) in 1998. Up to 720 km2 (of the 2600 km2 total CEZ area) were investigated between February and November 2018, however the assessment reported here was made between May–July when PH are more settled with regards to the territory used. Totally 137 PH were recorded in the Ukrainian part of the CEZ: 47 stallions, 66 mares (adult & fillies) and 24 foals (10 males, 4 females and 10 of unidentified gender). At least four more PH (stallion, 2 mares, 1 foal) are noted at a remote site in the Belarus CEZ (V. Dombrovsky, or. rep.). All foals were born April-July 2018. There were 13 harem herds with foals (3–16 individuals in total in each), four small non-breeding groups (2-3 individuals), ca. 6 stallion groups (2–6 individuals), and at least one solitary stallion. Harem and non-breeding herds generally kept to ca. 18 sites, stallion groups normally roamed. Two-three groups lived on territories which including both Ukrainian and Belorussian parts of the CEZ. During 2007–2010 PH crossed the river Prypiat and finally founded a local reproducing sub-population. Almost all PH are from the 2nd and higher generations, only two mares had a brand mark which identified the original introduced population. One herd (Ilintsy) includes a domesticate breed mare (in autumn she moved to a neighbouring group, in Stechanka, where in 2019 gave birth to a hybrid foal sired by the Ilintsy stallion). At least, two males (solitary stallion and colt) had signs of hybridization (i.e. PH and domesticated horse). Underestimation of the total PH population in our study is likely as not all appropriate sites were investigated. The total herd, as identified here, of PH grew seven-fold between 1998 and 2018. However, the rate of population increase between 2009–2018 was in 1.5 times less than that 1998–2008 previously reported. This reduced population growth rate was likely due to the changing age structure of the herd, the initial herd contained only older (more productive) mature mares, over time numbers of younger (less productive) mares increased. The present demographic indices and reproductive potential do not indicate any negative tendencies in the population development, and evidence the further fitness to the local conditions. PH are native to open steppe landscapes and our study confirms their preference to meadows in the CEZ. However, we observed that PH do not avoid forests. Reforestation of meadows and predominance of woodlands in the CEZ are obstacles for comprehensive monitoring of PH, and may contribute to an underestimation of the population size as direct visual observations do not work well in the woodlands. CT studies offer a solution to this problem.

Background. Plant genetic resources (PGR) conservation is an indispensable condition for ensuring the country’s economic and environmental security. The most important component of the PGR status assessment is the study of crop wild relatives in a particular region. Within the framework of the work on inventorying crop wild relatives (CWR) in the regions of Russia, an inventory of CWR was for the first time made for Magadan Province, Far East region of Russia, to identify plant taxa that are prioritized for conservation and monitoring of their status in natural phytocenoses. Materials and methods. The material for the present research was taken from the data published on the vegetation of the studied region. Taxonomic analysis of CWR was performed using conventional floristic methods. In order to select priority species for conservation, the guidelines for PGR conservation adapted for Russia were used.Results and conclusions. A list of 232 CWR species belonging to 62 genera of 21 families has been compiled; it encompasses nearly 20% of the entire regional flora. The indigenous part of CWR amounts to ca. 60%, while the adventive part includes 40% of the total CWR number. Analysis of distribution of CWR species over the studied area showed that the greatest diversity of CWR species (81%) is concentrated in the Okhotsky floristic district. As a result of the analysis, 76 species occurring in Magadan Province were identified for prioritized in situ conservation.

The article describes a new case of long-distance dispersal in vascular plants. The reported plant belongs to a group of closely related taxa from East Asia, here referred to as 'kumokiri-alliance'. Our phylogenetic data show that this alliance is poorly resolved into separate species and according to available data the discussed taxon cannot be referred to any particular species. Presumably the same plant was earlier discovered in Italy (in 2012) and in Austria (in 2016) and reported under the name L. kumokiri, but most of the authors treated it as a native element in those countries. In this article, we report further records of this plant in Krasnoyarsk krai, in the Republic of Dagestan and presumably also in Kamchatka krai of Russia. The ITS sequence data of plants from Krasnoyarsk krai and from Republic of Dagestan show that it is very closely related (if not identical) to the plants from Italy, suggesting that the plant has already developed a large secondary range, probably the largest among orchids in Eurasia, but it might have been overlooked due to its inconspicuous habitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composition of insect species pollinating Sorbus aucuparia and Aronia mitschurinii in Moscow Region, Russia was studied. It was collected 39 species – representatives of 4 orders and 21 families. The hypothesis that these two plants with same inflorescences and blossoming simultaneously are visited by the same insect species was not proved: 18 species were captured only on S. aucuparia and 16 species only on A. mitschurinii. Insects demonstrated selectivity towards aboriginal (Sorbus) and adventive (Aronia) plants. Only five species were registered on both plants: Bombus ruderarius Müller, 1776, Andrena haemorrhoa (Fabricius, 1781), Bellardia viarum obineauDesvoidy, 1830, Anthrenus scrophulariae Linnaeus, 1758 and Anaspis frontalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Sorbus aucuparia was more attractive for Diptera from the families Calliphoridae and Milichiidae, and Aronia mitschurinii – for Anthomyiidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. Selectivity was discovered at species level also: Andrena ruficrus Nylander, 1848 and Myopa polystigma Rondani, 1857 visited Aronia mitschurinii only and Andrena subopaca Nylander, 1848 and Myopa testacea (Linnaeus, 1767) – Sorbus aucuparia. The majority of collected insect species are polyphagous. Additional data on other plants visited by the same insects during the period of bloom of Sorbus and Aronia are given, including those from the genera Malus, Spiraea, Pyrus, Prunus, Rosa, Rubus, Cerasus Crataegus, Barbarea and Taraxacum.

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

Philonthus wuesthoffi Bernhauer, 1939 was recorded in Italy in 2017 and 2019 for the first time. the specimens were found in friuli, North-West of Udine, in an area cultivated with Medicago, by pitfall traps and in the Lessini Mountains north of Verona at the edge of a waterhole on a dead toad. Philonthus wuesthoffi seems to have invaded Europe from East Asia and has become a widespread species in Europe. Philonthus ohizumi Dvořák, 1958 is synonymized with P. wuesthoffi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the vascular flora of Serbia, the genus Euphorbia is represented with 36 species belonging to the subgenera Esula, Chamaesyce, Euphorbia and Rhizanthium. Five species of E. subg. Chamaesyce have been recorded so far in Serbia: E. chamaesyce, E. maculata, E. humifusa, E. nutans and E. davidii. During our research on the flora of Belgrade in 2012, we found a species new for the vascular flora of Serbia - E. prostrata from the mentioned section, on the banks of the Sava River.