University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology: Open Journal Systems
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TRITHEMIS ANNULATA (PALISOT DE BEAUVOIS, 1807) AND SELYSIOTHEMIS NIGRA (VANDER LINDEN, 1825) (ODONATA: LIBELLULIDAE): NEW MEMBERS OF THE DRAGONFLY FAUNA OF SERBIA
Get PDFField investigations along the South Morava River near Niš have led to the discovery of two new dragonfly species for Serbia: Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) and Selysiothemis nigra (Vander Linden, 1825), both belonging to the family Libellulidae. S. nigra was found in large numbers and with confirmed reproduction at several sites, indicating well-established populations. In contrast, Trithemis annulata was recorded at only two locations, with sightings limited to male individuals patrolling or resting in the typical “obelisk” posture. These findings increase the total number of dragonfly species known in Serbia to 69, enriching our understanding of the region's biodiversity and providing a foundation for further ecological and conservation research
TWO APHID SPECIES AND GENERA OF THE TRIBE MACROSIPHINI (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) NEW TO THE FAUNA OF SERBIA
Get PDFFirst records of two Macrosiphini aphid genera new to the fauna of Serbia are presented with details on their morphology, biology, and distribution, accompanied by original photographs and illustrations. Ammiaphis sii (Koch, 1855) was recorded for the first time on Falcaria vulgaris near Grocka and in the central Banat district, and Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko, 1929) on Asparagus verticillatus in Zrenjanin and on A. officinalis in Slankamen. There is now a total of 397 species of aphids in Serbia
NEW DATA ON TUPONIA REUTER, 1875 (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE) FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM IN BELGRADE, SERBIA
Get PDFThis paper summarizes data about plant bugs of the genus Tuponia Reuter, 1875, in the collections of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade, Serbia. The collections include: Tuponia (Tuponia) elegans (Jakovlev, 1867), Tuponia (Tuponia) montandoni Reuter, 1899, Tuponia (Chlorotuponia) hippophaes (Fieber, 1861), Tuponia (Chlorotuponia) prasina (Fieber, 1864), and Tuponia (Tuponia) mixticolor (A. Costa, 1862). T. montandoni and T. elegans are newly recorded species in the Serbian fauna
ONE MORE ALLOCHTHONOUS PRAYING MANTIS IN SERBIAN FAUNA: AMELES SPALLANZANIA (ROSSI, 1792) (MANTODEA: AMELIDAE)
Get PDFThe allochthonous mantis Ameles spallanzania (Rossi, 1792), from the family Amelidae, has been recorded for the first time in Serbia, in the urban settlement of Klisa, in the city of Novi Sad. Although the manner of the species’ introduction cannot be determined with certainty, we assume it was imported with ornamental plant nursery stock, considering the immediate proximity of a plant nursery. This is the second species of the genus Ameles Burmeister, 1838 recorded in Serbia, the first non-native representative of its genus (and the second non-native mantis species after the already widespread Hierodula tenuidentata Saussure, 1869), and the fifth mantis species recorded in the fauna of Serbia in total
AUTOGENY EXPRESSION IN CULEX PIPIENS COMPLEX POPULATIONS IN SERBIA
Get PDFFrom a public health perspective, Culex pipiens (the house mosquito) is the most important mosquito species in Serbia. Its confirmed vector competence has enabled the sustained transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) to humans and animals in Serbia for over a decade. Despite this, the species’ biology and ecology remain underexplored: this study aims to help fill that knowledge gap.
This research examined autogeny in female mosquitoes and assessed whether the presence of males affects its expression. Larvae of the Cx. pipiens complex were collected from three ditches and two urban street catch basins and reared to adult stage. Experimental subjects included adults emerging from field collections and individuals originating from an autogenous laboratory colony. Female mosquitoes were maintained in cages either with or without males and fed solely on sugar solution (no blood meals), and left undisturbed for five to seven days to permit egg development. No oviposition site was provided. Subsequently, females were dissected and their ovarian development evaluated.
Results revealed that, under laboratory conditions, male presence did not affect autogeny expression. After 10-12 days, females contained no eggs in their abdomens, suggesting egg resorption due to the absence of an oviposition opportunity. In field-collected breeding sites, autogeny was rare: only two catch basins and one ditch yielded autogenous females. The highest rate observed was 45% (in a catch basin), while other positive sites recorded rates of 12.5% (catch basin) and 2.15% (ditch).
Given the documented coexistence of the pipiens and molestus biotypes within the same breeding sites, hybridization is likely to occur. Hybrids, feeding on both avian and mammalian hosts, are recognized for their role as bridge vectors in transmitting WNV to humans and other mammals, and thus hold considerable public health importance
LEPIDOPTERA FAUNA OF NAMIBIA III: KATIMA MULILO, ZAMBEZI REGION
Get PDFIn total, 76 moth and 12 butterfly species from 14 superfamilies and three families, respectively, have been identified in and around Katima Mulilo, a town in northeastern Namibia. The most speciose families were Noctuidae (22 spp.) and Geometridae (9 spp.). Forty-three species were recorded for the first time in Namibia, including 19 from the family Noctuidae and 7 from the family Geometridae. The present study suggests that the moth fauna of Namibia, especially of the families Noctuidae and Geometridae, is largely unrecorded in the Zambezi Region, and perhaps elsewhere in Namibia
TYPE LOCALITIES OF ODONATA SPECIES DESCRIBED IN TÜRKIYE AND THEIR CONNECTIONS TO THE COUNTRY’S BIODIVERSITY
Get PDFSituated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye has a diverse and rich biodiversity. The number of Odonata species identified from Türkiye so far is approximately 73% of the total number identified in Europe. Twenty-one taxa (15 species and 6 subspecies) were first described from Türkiye. The country lies at the intersection of three global biodiversity hotspots – Caucasus, Irano-Anatolian, and the Mediterranean Basin – which overlap geographically with the type localities of the Odonata species described in the country. These regions, where species diversity is high, also host endemic Odonata species. Three taxa (Calopteryx waterstoni Schneider 1984, Cordulegaster amasina Morton 1916, and Cordulegaster kalkmani Schneider et al., 2021) are endemic to Türkiye. The presence of endemic species in biodiversity hotspots, where original habitats have been lost at an alarming rate, highlights the urgent need to assess their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List categories. Ensuring the long-term conservation of Odonata biodiversity in Türkiye depends on sustainable protection programs that address pollution, habitat fragmentation, and overexploitation of the remaining relatively natural freshwater ecosystems
FIRST RECORD OF LINDENIA TETRAPHYLLA (VANDER LINDEN, 1825) (ODONATA: GOMPHIDAE) IN SERBIA
Get PDFIn this paper, the first records of Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825) in Serbia are presented, based on field surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the Dobrotin locality, southeastern Serbia. This observation expands the known range of L. tetraphylla in the Balkans, although its breeding status in the area remains to be confirmed. With this record, the total number of dragonfly species documented in Serbia reaches 70. The discovery underscores the value of ongoing faunistic surveys, particularly in underexplored habitats, and highlights the potential for climate change to drive shifts in species composition
MEDITERRANIZATION CONTINUED: CHRYSOLINA AMERICANA (LINNAEUS, 1758) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) IN SERBIA
Get PDFOn May 13, 2025, an exceptionally large population of the rosemary beetle, Chrysolina americana, was recorded in a plantation of ornamental lavender in Belgrade, Serbia. Numerous adult beetles were observed and collected, mainly on lavender inflorescences, along with a small number of larvae, mostly found on the abaxial sides of the lavender leaves. The species appeared to be confined to a single lavender plantation, as neighboring plantations had not yet shown signs of colonization. This article provides the first official record of C. americana in Serbia, documenting the establishment of another Mediterranean-origin species in the country. We believe C. americana is a relatively recent invader, as indicated by its high abundance in the affected plantation yet limited spread. It is the 410th chrysomelid recorded in the Serbian fauna and the 26th, as well as the only allochthonous, species within its genu
REDUCING RELIANCE ON ARTIFICIAL DIETS: BIOECONOMIC NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING SPODOPTERA LITTORALIS (BOISD.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) COLONIES
Get PDFThe Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, is a widely distributed polyphagous species that attacks several economically important host plants. Laboratory colonies of this species have been vital for pest management research, with more recent applications emerging in the context of sustainable food systems. Current reliance on artificial diets for colony maintenance is expensive and environmentally unsustainable. In this study, alternative bioeconomic dietary strategies are investigated using dandelion leaves (D) and unsold market vegetables (beetroot and potato mix, BP) as substitutes for the standard artificial diet (S). Over five generations, key life history parameters, including larval duration, survival, final instar weight, pupation success, adult emergence, and fecundity, were monitored under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that larvae fed on D exhibited the shortest development time, highest survival rates, and superior fecundity compared to those reared on other diets. The BP diet supported performance comparable to the artificial diet. These findings show that alternative diets can sustain S. littoralis colonies, enhance certain biological traits, and offer a cost-effective, sustainable approach to insect farming