Data to the Dragonfly Fauna of Lower Neretva River

We present the frst list of dragonfly fauna of the lower Neretva River, comprising 44 species. During the period from June – September from 2003 to 2005 the first systematic investigations of dragonflies of the Lower Neretva river were carried out at 6 locations. The following methods were used: the method of collecting by entomological nets, the method of strolling and observing and the method of taking photographs. On the basis of the collected individuals at different life stages (larvae - exuvia and adult individuals), a total of 44 species, 22 genera, 8 families and 2 suborders of the order Odonata were established. 12 species are newly registered for the fauna of the area: Calopteryx virgo, Ceriagrion tenellum, Aeshna cyanea, Brachytron pratense, Onychogomphus forcipatus, Corulia aenea, Somatochlora flavomaculata, Somatochlora meridionalis, Orthetrum albystylum, Orthetrum coerulescens, Sympetrum flaveolum and Sympetrum fonscolombii. The established qualitative structure of the dragonflies of the Lower Neretva river represents 60% of the total number of species in Croatia which proves that the investigated area is significant for the protection of the biodiversity of the dragonfly fauna

Recently discovered Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in The Netherlands and northern Germany resulted from a new introduction event and from a split from an existing population

BACKGROUND: Originally native to East Asia, Aedes japonicus japonicus, a potential vector of several arboviruses, has become one of the most invasive mosquito species in the world. After having established in the USA, it is now spreading in Europe, with new populations emerging. In contrast to the USA, the introduction pathways and modes of dispersal in Europe are largely obscure. METHODS: To find out if two recently detected populations of Ae. j. japonicus in The Netherlands and northern Germany go back to new importations or to movements within Europe, the genetic makeup of mosquito specimens from all known European populations was compared. For this purpose, seven microsatellite loci from a representative number of mosquito specimens were genotyped and part of their mitochondrial nad4 gene sequenced. RESULTS: A novel nad4 haplotype found in the newly discovered Dutch population of Ae. j. japonicus suggests that this population is not closely related to the other European populations but has emanated from a further introduction event. With five nad4 haplotypes, the Dutch population also shows a very high genetic diversity indicating that either the founder population was very large or multiple introductions took place. By contrast, the recently detected North German population could be clearly assigned to one of the two previously determined European Ae. j. japonicus microsatellite genotypes and shows nad4 haplotypes that are known from West Germany. CONCLUSION: As the European populations of Ae. j. japonicus are geographically separated but genetically mixed, their establishment must be attributed to passive transportation. In addition to intercontinental shipment, it can be assumed that human activities are also responsible for medium- and short-distance overland spread. A better understanding of the processes underlying the introduction and spread of this invasive species will help to increase public awareness of the human-mediated displacement of mosquitoes and to find strategies to avoid it

FIRST RECORD OF Berosus geminus ( Reiche et Saulcy, 1856) AND Enochrus affinis (Thunberg, 1794) FOR CROATIAN FAUNA (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae)

Research on the aquatic beetle fauna was conducted in aquatic habitats of Nature Park Kopački rit during the year 2005. One species of water scavenger beetle (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) Berosus geminus Reiche et Saulcy, which had not been recorded in Croatia before, was found during this inventory research. Although endangered in Europe, the species Berosus geminus has an optimal habitat in Kopački rit, which has been proven by the collection of 17 specimens. Enochrus affinis Thunberg, was also found during study, representing the first documented occurrence in Croatia. Both species were found in unique flooded areas of Kopački rit. Some morphological, biological and distributional features of these two species are discussed

RESULTS OF TEN YEARS MOSQUITO (DIPTERA CULICIDAE) MONITORING IN OSIJEK, CROATIA

The monitoring of mosquito population for the eventual purpose of better mosquito control happened in Osijek from 1995-2004. The primary method research-monitoring of mosquitoes used was dry ice baited CDC-traps for a period of 10 years. This provided significant information on mosquito species, their dynamics and seasonal activity. A total of 207,136 mosquito specimens was collected. Among this number 20 species were identified, however, 7 species made up 99% of the total. From these 7, three ecological groups based on breeding sites were determined: flood water mosquitoes, container breeding mosquitoes, and permanent and semi-permanent water breeding mosquitoes. The seasonal dynamics of these three groups are shown in this paper. The average dynamics of all mosquito species was reflected in three peaks: at the end of May, in the middle of July (the biggest one) and in the middle of September. The eudominant species was Aedes vexans which comprised 76% of the total mosquito fauna in the investigated area The flood water species highly correlated with the average dynamics of all the species in the area of Osijek as well as with the average water level of the Danube River