The highly invasive Siam Weed, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae), as a seasonal prime nectar source for butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) and other insects (Insecta: Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera) in West Africa

During mass-blooming in the dry season, the highly invasive Siam Weed, Chromolaena odorata, appears to be a prime nectar source for butterflies and a range of diurnal moths and other insects in West Africa. About 10 % of the West African butterfly fauna were recorded visiting C. odorata flowers between Sierra Leone and Western Cameroon as a result of opportunistic observations between 2010 and 2021. Predators on flower-visiting insects, such as crab-spiders and Flower Mantises, also seem to have become adapted to the newly available food-source. These records indicate that beyond the well-known adverse effects of C. odorata invasion to regeneration of natural vegetation on disturbed ground and the exposure of natural rainforest habitats to wildfires because of the plant’s susceptibility to fire, the diet shift of a considerable proportion of pollinators could imply further threats to biodiversity, such as reducing the reproductive rate of forest plants pollinated by butterflies. Specific studies further targeting the subject are urgently needed

Taxonomical Notes on the Liptena augusta and L. batesana Species Complexes with Description of Four New Species (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Poritiinae) = Taxonómiai jegyzetek a Liptena augusta és L. batesana fajcsoportokról, négy új faj leírásával (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Poritiinae)

Abstract – The Liptena augusta Suffert, 1904 and L. batesana Bethune-Baker, 1926 species complexes are revisited following the capture of a specimen in Liberia, far outside the known range of any members of these groups. Four new species in the genus Liptena Westwood, [1851] are described: L. neiltennanti sp. n., L. chrislowei sp. n., L. introspectionem sp. n. and L. minimis sp. n., in comparison with L. augusta and L. batesana. An identification guide is provided based mainly on male and female genitalia for easier identification of the groups and species. The biogeography of the L. augusta and L. batesana species complexes is also discussed. With seven figures

A Koppányvölgyi lepkefauna (Lepidoptera) vizsgálatának első eredményei

The Lepidoptera fauna in the Külső-Somogy region (Somogy County) in southwestern Hungary is generally under-recorded, despite the fact that the area hosts a diverse landscape and a wide range of natural and semi-natural habitats. As part of the landscape-scale habitat rehabilitation program the authors conducted a series of surveys on the butterfly and macro moth fauna (Rhopalocera and Macroheterocera) of the Koppány valley between the villages Somogydöröcske and Gerézdpuszta in 2010 including the catchment area and the floodland of the stream Koppány. In total 192 species were recorded between April and October. The Lepidoptera fauna is characterized by species associated with wet habitats near the stream ( Lycaena dispar rutilus, Chariaspilates formosaria ), but is also influenced by the warm broad-leaved woodlands and orchards that surrounds the valley ( Meganephria bimaculosa ). The change of land-use in the study area threatens the butterfly fauna through the intensification of agriculture (application of pesticides), and the complete cessation of animal husbandry

Box Tree Moth – Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859), new member in the Lepidoptera fauna of Hungary (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was found as new to Hungary during moth trapping in the Botanical Garden of the University of West Hungary, Sopron. The species is a well known pest in Asia on Buxus and might become invasive in Central Europe

Male secondary sexual characters in Aphnaeinae wings (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Male secondary sexual characters have been discovered on the hindwing verso of genera Aphnaeus Hübner, [1819], Cigaritis Donzel, 1847, Lipaphnaeus Aurivillius, 1916 and Pseudaletis Druce, 1888 representing the Palaeotropical subfamily Aphnaeinae Lycaenidae: Lepidoptera). Relevant wing parts are illustrated, described, and some observations on the organs are briefly annotated. With an appendix and 14 figures

A faunistic contribution to the butterfly fauna of Oman (Lepidoptera: Diurna)

During five entomological field expeditions between 2008 and 2019, butterfly speciemens were collected in Oman, and a total of 492 specimens of 46 species were documented. Faunistic and distribution data for each species is presented, along a short overview of the physical geography of Oman and biogeographical notes of the butterfly fauna. With 30 figures

A vörös rókalepke - Nymphalis xanthomelas (Esper, [1781]) tömeges vándorlása Zemplénben (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Mass migration of Hungarian Red Data Book species yellow-legged tortoiseshell - Nymphalis xanthomelas has been observed in June 2006, after a 20 years complete absence in the 1970-80s and very few recent records since the late 1990s. The migrant specimens might have originated from population explosion of colonies in South-Western Ukraine or Western Romania. Such occasional migrations can help the recolonization of its former habitats in Central-Europe

A sárga gyapjasszövő – Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) európai jelentőségű populációja Váton (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

In 2008, A population of Orange Eggar – Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) with exceptionally high density was found during a monitoring survey in a former military training ground by the authors near the village Vát (Vas County, Western Hungary). Now, the area is a part of Natura 2000 network under the Habitats Directive of European Community (ID: HUON20005). The authors estimated the population size over 10 million (larval stage) individuals based on counting caterpillar webs along a 500-metre-long transect in 2008. Since the first estimation based on the results from a single transect and the habitat structure of the area was not considered in the estimation, the survey was repeated in a larger sampling area in 2009. The habitat size was also corrected by removal of hostile non-habitat patches identified from aerial photographs. Since the survey resulted in similarly high population density, it can safely be stated, that the population near Vát is of European conservation concern. Further surveys on the ecology of the species and establishment of specific conservation management would be desirable to avoid habitat loss