THE FIG BARK BEETLE HYPOBORUS FICUS ERICHSON, 1836 (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE: SCOLYTINAE) IN SERBIA: FIRST RECORDS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY

The fig bark beetle (Hypoborus ficus Erichson, 1836) was recorded under the bark and in the wood of frost-damaged top branches of fig (Ficus carica L.) in two locations in Vrčin, in the vicinity of Belgrade, as well as in the "Jevremovac" Botanical Garden in Belgrade. Numerous specimens were found, and a total of 39 adults, as well as several larvae and pupae, were collected. The findings presented here are new data on the presence of the mentioned species of bark beetle on the territory of Serbia (the first precise data), after more than a century. This is another Mediterranean species that has been confirmed to have established populations in Serbia

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT OF CARABUS HUNGARICUS (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) IN SERBIA AND RECOMMENDATION FOR MONITORING

The distribution of Carabus hungaricus in Serbia has not been summarized so far. There are only a few published records of this beetle in Serbia. Due to new findings, it was necessary to update the distribution of this species in Serbia. Recent field research revealed that the largest suitable habitat is the Deliblato Sands in the South Banat District, where this species is common. Other important areas are located near the Romanian border in the vicinity of the city of Vršac and near Mužlja (in the neighborhood of the city of Zrenjanin, Central Banat District), where the northernmost population in Serbia is located. In addition to this overview of distribution, we propose monitoring methodology for C. hungaricus. We believe that regular monitoring can bring the necessary attention to the disappearing steppe habitats and that the results can help to manage them appropriately in the future

DIPHYUS QUADRIPUNCTORIUS (MÜLLER, 1776) (HYMENOPTERA: ICHNEUMONIDAE: ICHNEUMONINAE): THE FIRST RECORDS FROM SERBIAN CAVES

Here we present new findings of the hymenopteran Diphyus quadripunctorius (Müller, 1776) from three cave localities in Serbia. We examined a total of five overwintering female specimens collected during 2016, 2019 and 2020 in caves – Devojačka Pećina Cave, Sisevačka Pećina Cave in eastern Serbia and Ogorelička Pećina Cave in southeastern Serbia. Additionally, a short description of D. quadripunctorius females is provided. Its phenology, tentative host association and adaptations to cave life are also discussed

The first arrival of the Chinese sand roach Polyphaga cf. plancyi (Blattodea: Corydiidae) in Europe

Polyphaga plancyi Bolívar, 1883, also known as Chinese sand roach, it is a large Corydiidae species with a native distribution that includes several Chinese provinces and southern part of the Russian Far East. It is a well-known insect in traditional Chinese medicine, and the biological activity of the compounds isolated from it are actively studied. So far, there are no records of this species outside its natural range, at least outside China. In this article, we present the first record of P. cf. plancyi specimen collected in Europe, probably imported from Shanghai. The specimen was recognized as a non-native cockroach species to Europe via photo posted on social media, and it was subsequently taxonomically identified. Details of its possible origin, its morphology, importance of citizen science, as well as annotations on the other synanthropic cockroaches in Serbia are provided

Current and predicted distribution of the rare and threatened beetle Bolbelasmus (Bolbelasmus) unicornis (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) in Serbia

Bolbelasmus (Bolbelasmus) unicornis (Schrank, 1789) (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) is a rare and threatened beetle distributed mostly in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe. As a species of special conservation significance it is included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive of the European Union. Several new records of this species documented using light traps and soil sampling were recently reported in Serbia (the central part of the Balkan Peninsula). In this paper we present and discuss the current distribution of this species in the region studied based on GIS occurrence data. The distribution is mapped and values of environmental variables within this beetle's range are quantified using GIS technology. In addition, we predict its potential range in Serbia using a model based on the current distribution of this beetle, environmental variables and distribution of its food source

A new species of Leonhardia Reitter, 1901 (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptodirini) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a key to species of the genus

A new leptodirine leiodid beetle species belonging to the genus Leonhardia Reitter, 1901, L. solaki sp. nov., from a pit in Bosnia and Herzegovina (western Balkan Peninsula) is described and diagnosed. Important morphological features of the new species are listed and photographed. The new species is endemic to the Dinarides of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A key for identification of species and subspecies of the genus Leonhardia is also provided

Inhibition of tumour and non-tumour cell proliferation by pygidial gland secretions of four ground beetle species (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Inhibition of the proliferation of human tumour cells and porcine non-tumour cells by the pygidial gland secretion released by adults of four ground beetle species was observed in this study.The sulphorhodamine B(SRB)assay was applied to establish the percentages of inhibition of the net growth of four human tumour cell lines and porcine liver primary non-tumour cells. The secretions of all tested ground beetle species were shown to have an antiproliferative effect on the tested cell lines. Special emphasisis put on the secretion of Abax parallelepipedus,which showed the highest anti tumour potential and weakest inhibition of non-tumour cell proliferation.The anti tumour and antiproliferative potential of the pygidial gland secretions of ground beetles is here demonstrated for the first time.It is suggested that certain organic acids are responsible for the action.Further investigation needs to be conducted in order to better understand the mechanisms governing the observed cytotoxic and antitumour activity.The study was financially supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development (Grants Nos. 173038 and 173032) and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) (Grant No. SFRH/BPD/68344/2010).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A new greenhouse invader: the first report of the alien ring-legged earwig, Euborellia annulipes (Dermaptera, Anisolabididae) in Serbia, with the first checklist of earwigs of the country

The ring-legged earwig Euborellia annulipes (Lucas, 1847) is recorded for the first time on the territory of Serbia. The species was found in the greenhouse of Jevremovac Botanical Garden in Belgrade and represents the second allochthonous invertebrate species registered in this greenhouse, after an exotic millipede. In total, 10 specimens of ring-legged earwig were found in the sections of the greenhouse where tropical and subtropical plants are cultivated. The first checklist of earwigs of Serbia was compiled and notes on autochthonous species are given

In silico estimation of COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory potential of some novel thiourea derivatives of naproxen

Design of dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors can be considered an adequate approach in the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs with less pronounced side effects. The aim of the present research was to examine the binding potential of the seven newly designed thiourea derivatives of naproxen towards COX-2 and 5-LOX. The binding analysis of ligand conformations was performed by OEDocking 3.2.0.2 software. The binding potential assessment revealed that thiourea derivatives of naproxen exhibited a comparable binding affinity as naproxen towards COX-2. The highest number of key binding interactions with 5-LOX was formed by compound 5, whereas compound 6 established the most stable complex (-9.29 kcal/mol). According to the obtained results, derivatives 5 and 6 can be considered as dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors with potential anti-inflammatory activity. However, none of the investigated compounds were able to form three hydrogen bonds with the binding site of COX-2, as well as three key hydrogen bonds with the active site of 5-LOX

Synthesis and Investigation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of New Thiourea Derivatives of Naproxen

The aim of the study was a synthesis and investigation of the dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect of new thiourea derivatives of naproxen with selected aromatic amines and esters of aromatic amino acids. The results of the in vivo study indicate that derivatives of m-anisidine (4) and N-methyl tryptophan methyl ester (7) showed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity four hours after injection of carrageenan, with the percentage of inhibition of 54.01% and 54.12%, respectively. In vitro assays of COX-2 inhibition demonstrated that none of the tested compounds achieved 50% inhibition at concentrations lower than 100 µM. On the other hand, the aromatic amine derivatives (1–5) accomplished significant inhibition of 5-LOX, and the lowest IC50 value was observed for compound 4 (0.30 μM). High anti-edematous activity of compound 4 in the rat paw edema model, together with potent inhibition of 5-LOX, highlight this compound as a promising anti-inflammatory agen