An automated procedure ten times more efficient in cutting labels for entomological collections

The labelling of entomological material is a labour-intensive and time-consuming task, often carried out by staff who are over-qualified for the task. This paper introduces a small automation step that speeds up this process via a method that uses a low-cost cutting plotter. The following text will present a financial and temporal analysis of the introduction and use of this equipment in labelling an entomological collection with any kind of labels

New records of Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta : Hemiptera) from the Maltese archipelago with an updated checklist

Twenty-four new records of Auchenorrhyncha are reported from the Maltese Islands. Up to now 71 species are known from the territory. Among the new recorded species, 1 belongs to Cixiidae, 5 to Delphacidae, 2 to Tettigometridae, 1 to Issidae and 15 to Cicadellidae.peer-reviewe

Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) in the entomological collection of the National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

The entomological collection of the National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia (NMNHS) preserves a total of 89 specimens representing 25 species of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). These were recorded and digitised in the Specify platform as part of the Distributed System of Scientific Collections project (DissCo-BG). This paper summarises all available data on these specimens. Twenty-four species were collected in Bulgaria, one species in Greece. Voucher specimens for Psylloidea published in a historical treatise on the Bulgarian fauna of Hemiptera by Dimitar Joakimov were not found in the NMNHS and are most likely lost. However, Joakimov’s collection, later acquired and supplemented by the museum, contains unpublished material, including three species reported here for the first time from Bulgaria: Aphalara maculipennis Löw, 1886, Cacopsylla ulmi (Foerster, 1848) and Dyspersa abdominalis (Flor, 1861)

A change in tune : acoustic analysis of Malta’s cicadas reveals 162-year-old misnomer

For over 160 years, the cicadas inhabiting the Maltese Islands were assigned to the widespread European species Cicada orni Linnaeus. However, analysis of their calling song reveals with certainty that the taxon known to occur in the archipelago is, in fact, the sibling species Cicada barbara Stål.peer-reviewe

A change in tune : acoustic analysis of Malta’s cicadas reveals 162-year-old misnomer

For over 160 years, the cicadas inhabiting the Maltese Islands were assigned to the widespread European species Cicada orni Linnaeus. However, analysis of their calling song reveals with certainty that the taxon known to occur in the archipelago is, in fact, the sibling species Cicada barbara Stål.peer-reviewe

Preliminary data on leafhoppers (Hemiptеra: Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha) found in coastal sand dunes and salt marshes along the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea

Coastal sand dunes and salt marshes are progressively endangered by development of both the industrial and the touristic sector in Bulgaria. The present research aims to clarify the species diversity and host-plant relationships of the leafhopper fauna of sand dune habitats along the coasts of the Black Sea and Bulgaria.peer-reviewe

Damage caused by singing cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in the field protective forest belts in South Dobrudzha, Bulgaria

During the period 2020-2023, strong damage caused by singing cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) were registered on ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in the field protective forest belts (FPFBs) in South Dobrudzha, northeastern Bulgaria. Bioacoustic studies have shown that the sounds are of Cicada orni. Many exuvia of the species were also found on the trunks and branches of ash trees. On the upper shoots and petioles, numerous oviposition holes were observed, which lead to leaf fall and drying of branch tips. In different FPFBs, tree crown damage ranges from a moderate (25-60% defoliation) to a severe (over 60% defoliation) degree. The attacks were stronger on Fraxinus excelsior and F. americana compared to F. angustifolia. The cicadas affect both old trees and young ash saplings. In young plantations, other tree species (Sophora japonica, Gleditsia triacanthos) were also affected. Imaginal activity of Cicada orni was recorded in July and August, and the peak of egg hatching occurred from early August to mid-September. The high number of Cicada orni necessitates the development of measures to control the pest in the FPFBs

Leafhopper diversity in home gardens – results of a survey in four countries across Europe (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha)

Despite urbanisation being one of the main drivers of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, home gardens can provide habitat for a wide range of species. Here we report the results of a leafhopper survey in 12 gardens in four European countries (Germany, Serbia, Austria and Bulgaria). Sampling was conducted in a semi-standardised way across the summer 2020. In total, 143 Auchenorrhyncha species with 2,361 adult specimens were recorded, including several red-listed species. The number of species per garden varied between 9 and 58. On average, around 26 species were found. Leafhopper diversity was positively influenced by garden area, age, plant diversity, extensive management and the cover of forests and parks in the surroundings, but also by the number of sampling dates. We conclude that extensively managed home gardens across Europe can support diverse communities of leafhoppers which is crucial in times of severe insect declines

New records of fifteen species of Fulgoromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Bulgaria

Bulgarian planthopper fauna (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are relatively well studied, with 164 known species from 77 genera and 11 families. Data for some species from previous studies were reported without any localities or were incomplete and need to be updated.In the present study, 13 species of planthoppers are recorded for the first time in Bulgaria - Hyalesthes mlokosiewiczi Signoret, 1879 (Cixiidae), Delphax armeniacus Anufriev, 1970, Euides speciosa (Boheman, 1845), Eurysula lurida (Fieber, 1866), Florodelphax paryphasma (Flor, 1861), Jassidaeus lugubris (Signoret, 1865), Metropis aris Asche, Drosopoulos & Hoch, 1983, Oncodelphax pullula (Boheman, 1852), Ribautodelphax imitans (Ribaut, 1953), R. pungens (Ribaut, 1953), Stenocranus major (Kirschbaum, 1868) (Delphacidae), Latilica maculipes (Melichar, 1906) and Tshurtshurnella extrema Dlabola, 1980 (Issidae). Species from the following five genera are recorded in Bulgaria for the first time: Euides Fieber, 1866, Eurysula Vilbaste, 1968, Jassidaeus Fieber, 1866, Oncodelphax Wagner, 1963 (Delphacidae) and Latilica Emeljanov, 1971 (Issidae). As a result, the total numbers of known planthopper species and genera in Bulgaria become 177 species and 82 genera. The dataset of all collected specimens presented in this work was provided separately through Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Detailed distribution of the species and comments on those from the European Red Lists are also provided

New records of fifteen species of Fulgoromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Bulgaria

Bulgarian planthopper fauna (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are relatively well studied, with 164 known species from 77 genera and 11 families. Data for some species from previous studies were reported without any localities or were incomplete and need to be updated.In the present study, 13 species of planthoppers are recorded for the first time in Bulgaria - Hyalesthes mlokosiewiczi Signoret, 1879 (Cixiidae), Delphax armeniacus Anufriev, 1970, Euides speciosa (Boheman, 1845), Eurysula lurida (Fieber, 1866), Florodelphax paryphasma (Flor, 1861), Jassidaeus lugubris (Signoret, 1865), Metropis aris Asche, Drosopoulos & Hoch, 1983, Oncodelphax pullula (Boheman, 1852), Ribautodelphax imitans (Ribaut, 1953), R. pungens (Ribaut, 1953), Stenocranus major (Kirschbaum, 1868) (Delphacidae), Latilica maculipes (Melichar, 1906) and Tshurtshurnella extrema Dlabola, 1980 (Issidae). Species from the following five genera are recorded in Bulgaria for the first time: Euides Fieber, 1866, Eurysula Vilbaste, 1968, Jassidaeus Fieber, 1866, Oncodelphax Wagner, 1963 (Delphacidae) and Latilica Emeljanov, 1971 (Issidae). As a result, the total numbers of known planthopper species and genera in Bulgaria become 177 species and 82 genera. The dataset of all collected specimens presented in this work was provided separately through Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Detailed distribution of the species and comments on those from the European Red Lists are also provided