Prvi nalaz šimširovog moljca Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) s Kosova

The box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) is a native species of East Asia and it was accidentally introduced in Europe several years ago most likely through the trade in live plants. It is spreading rapidly all over Europe, including the Balkans. In this contribution, we report for the first time this invasive alien species from Kosovo. A single specimen was found on August 20, 2017, in Veriq village, Istog Municipality. The specimen was observed on a light source nearby a decor plant, Buxus sempervirens L., that offers favourable conditions for its spread.Šimširov moljac Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) je vrsta porijeklom iz istočne Azije koja je slučajno unesena u Europu prije nekoliko godina, najvjerojatnije putem trgovine biljkama. Širi se vrlo brzo cijelom Europom pa tako i Balkanom. U ovom radu donosimo prvi nalaz te invazivne strane vrste za Kosovo. Jedan primjerak je pronađen 20.8.2017. u selu Veriq, općina Istog. Primjerak je primjećen na izvoru svjetla nedaleko ukrasne biljke šimšira, koja pruža pogodne uvjete za širenje vrste

Novi nalazi Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) iz Albanije i Kosova

In this contribution, we report new records of the invasive moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) from Albania and Kosovo. Previously, it has been reported from all over the European continent, including all Balkan countries. During this investigation it has been observed at two sites in Albania, located in Kukës and Kavajë municipalities. From Kosovo we report four new sites where this species was observed, belonging to Klinë, Pejë and Prishtinë municipalities.U ovom priopćenju donosimo nove nalaze invazivne vrste šimširovog moljca Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) iz Albanije i Kosova. Dosad je bio zabilježen širom cijele Europe, uključujući sve zemlje Balkana. Tijekom ovog istraživanja zabilježen je na dva lokaliteta u Albaniji, na području općina Kukës i Kavajë. Na Kosovu donosimo četiri nova lokaliteta gdje je zabilježena ova vrsta, a koja se nalaze u općinama Klina, Peć i Priština

The spider fauna (Arachnida, Araneae) of abandoned military bunkers in Albania

We investigated 11 pillbox bunkers in Dibër Municipality and one military tunnel near Tirana (Albania). We found 101 spider specimens belonging to 15 species, of which two species are reported for the first time from Albania: Leviellus thorelli (Ausserer, 1871) (Araneidae) and Meta bourneti Simon, 1922 (Tetragnathidae). This paper contributes new information on the diversity, distribution and natural history of spider fauna in the bunkers of Albania

Spiders from Sharr Mountain - new faunistic data (Arachnida: Araneae)

In this paper, we present new faunistic data of the spider fauna from the Sharr Mountains (Kosovo), one of the least investigated areas in the Balkans. Previously only 27 species of spiders were known from the Kosovo part of the Sharr Mountains but with this investigation, the number has increased to 74. Pictures of rare and interesting species are provided. We also include a new record from the North Macedonian part of the Sharr Mountains. In total we report fifty species, eight of which are first records for Sharr Mountains, twenty-eight are first records for Kosovo, and one species is reported for the first time for North Macedonia. Species recorded for the first time from the Sharr Mountains belong to the following genera: Histopona, Clubiona, Zelotes, Ceratinella, Mughiphantes, Robertus and Ozyptila. We also provide a checklist of spider species for the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo

Expansıon Of Harmonıa Axyrıdıs (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccınellıdae) In South-Eastern Europe

In this paper, we report the first records of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Republic of Kosovo as well as new records from Albania, Greece, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. So far, the species is reported from 25 localities in Kosovo (first record in 2013) and 13 localities all over Montenegro. H. axyridis was found at different habitats and elevations, from sea level up to 1700 m above sea level, frequently being associated with seven coccinellid species. Our results clearly indicate that the harlequin ladybird is well established all over South-eastern Europe. Future studies should focus on its potential impact on native ladybird fauna. © 2022, Croatian Natural History Museum. All rights reserved

Expansion of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in South-Eastern Europe

In this paper, we report the first records of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Republic of Kosovo as well as new records from Albania, Greece, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. So far, the species is reported from 25 localities in Kosovo (first record in 2013) and 13 localities all over Montenegro. H. axyridis was found at different habitats and elevations, from sea level up to 1700 m above sea level, frequently being associated with seven coccinellid species. Our results clearly indicate that the harlequin ladybird is well established all over South-eastern Europe. Future studies should focus on its potential impact on native ladybird fauna

Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera, Tingidae) an invasive pest, with a review of the recent invasion of alien species to Kosovo

This study reports the discovery of Corythucha arcuata (Say), a species previously unrecorded in the Republic of Kosovo. Nine individuals of this species were collected from an Oak tree during the investigation. The findings presented in this study enhance our knowledge of the distribution of C. arcuata within the Balkan region. This discovery underscores the importance of further research to elucidate the factors governing the presence or absence of this species in specific areas. Also, herein we made a list of all known alien-invasive species to Kosovo

Potamophylax kosovaensis sp. nov. (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae), a new species of the Potamophylax winneguthi species cluster from the Ibër River Basin in Kosovo

The Potamophylax winneguthi species cluster comprises species with limited distribution, currently documented from Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria.In this paper, we describe a new species, Potamophylax kosovaensis sp. nov., discovered in two tributaries of the Ibër River Basin, within the Kopaonik Mountains of the Republic of Kosovo. Morphologically, males of this species closely resemble those of P. idliri Ibrahimi, Bilalli & Kučinić, 2022 from Serbia's Jastrebac Mountain and P. humoinsapiens Ibrahimi & Bilalli, 2023 from the Sharr Mountains in the Republic of Kosovo. However, the new species can be distinguished by its smaller aedeagus, thicker and differently-shaped parameres, as well as distinctive patterns and elongated spines on the parameres. Notably, this species is restricted to spring areas, indicating sensitivity to water pollution and habitat degradation. Additionally, we provide a list of caddisfly species found in sympatry with the new species.Potamophylax kosovaensis sp. nov. is the third known species within the Potamophylax winneguthi species cluster, identified in the Republic of Kosovo

Contribution to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of Kosovo with first record of the genus Orthotrichia Eaton, 1873 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)

Adult caddisflies were collected from the spring area located in the Blinajë Hunting Reserve in Kosovo between May and September 2022. In this study, we identified 21 species belonging to 9 families of caddisflies (Goeridae, Hydropsychidae, Hydroptilidae, Limnephilidae, Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, Rhyacophilidae, and Sericostomatidae). The genus Orthotrichia Eaton, 1873 and species Orthotrichia tragetti Mosely, 1930 are reported for the first time from Kosovo. Agraylea sexmaculata Curtis, 1834 is reported from Kosovo again after more than one century. Several other narrowly distributed endemic species were also identified, including Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid & Ibrahimi, 2022 and Tinodes janssensi Jacquemart, 1957. This study contributes to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of the Blinajë Hunting Reserve in Kosovo and highlights this area for its interesting composition of caddisfly species

Contribution to spider fauna (Arachnida: Araneae) from Bjeshkët e Nemuna mountains (Kosovo)

Since Kosovo is the least explored territory in the Balkan Peninsula when it comes to the study of spider fauna, with large, untouched areas, we aim to explore it in detail. From Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains only 15 species have been reported. We collected and identified 323 spider specimens (88♂♂, 235♀♀) from April 2018 to August 2021 at 20 sites in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park between 529 and 2066 m a.s.l. These specimens belong to 90 species, 65 genera, and 23 families. Of these, 42 species, 13 genera, and 2 families are new records for the spider fauna of Kosovo, and 90 species are new for the mountains. As a result of our research, the list of species known from the studied region increased from 15 to 105 and the number of known spiders in Kosovo increased to 248 species