Current issue: Volume 29 – 2025 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29
Agrilus (Anambus) kubani Bílý, 1991 in Romania (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) Cosmin Manci1 & Gianfranco Curletti2 1Oceanographic Research and Marine Environment Protection Society “Oceanic-Club”, Decebal no. 41, 900674, Constanța, Romania 2c/o Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, 10022 Carmagnola, Italy e-mail: cosminom@gmail.com, giancurletti@gmail.com article no.: ER29202501 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.1 Summary: The occurrence of Agrilus kubani Bílý, 1991 is reported for the first time in Romania. This study provides details on its distribution within the country, along with information on its biological characteristics and morphological description, contributing to a better understanding of this species. Rezumat: Prezența speciei Agrilus kubani BÍLÝ, 1991 este raportată pentru prima dată în România. Acest studiu oferă detalii privind distribuția sa în țară, împreună cu informații privind caracteristicile biologice și descrierea morfologică, contribuind la o mai bună înțelegere a acestei specii. Key words: Agrilini, Loranthus europaeus Jacq. 1762, new country record.	[details, abstract]	[pdf]
The description of the female of Ceratoxanthis rakosyella Wieser & Huemer, 2000 (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), with notes on the genus Ceratoxanthis Razowski, 1960 Zoltán Kovács1, Sándor Kovács2 & Peter Buchner3u 1Câmpul Mare 133, RO–530240 Miercurea Ciuc, România 2Oltului 57, bloc 6 sc. A ap. 6, RO–520027 Sfântu Gheorghe, România 3Scheibenstrasse 335, 2625 Schwarzau am Steinfeld, Austria e-mail: kovkopp@gmail.com, skovacssandor@gmail.com, buchner.324@drei.at article no.: ER29202502 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.2 Summary: The adult female of Ceratoxanthis rakosyella Wieser and Huemer, 2000 is compared to the male, the female genitalia is described and all are figured. Data are added to the knowledge of the species. Inconsistencies in the literature regarding the species of the genus Ceratoxanthis Razowski, 1960 are shown. Hypotheses of the authors referring to some taxa of the genus are discussed. Key words: Ceratoxanthis rakosyella, Tortricidae	[details, abstract]	[pdf]
The XXXIVth National Symposium of Entomology Anniversary event: 35 years for nature and butterflies - Book of Abstracts - Expansion, regression, phenological shifts, and voltinism in Romanian butterflies (opening presentation); László Rákosy Observations on Lepidoptera from “Herghelia Lucina”, Moldova-Sulița, Suceava County; Cătălin-Dumitrel Balan, Gabriela Corduneanu, Constantin Corduneanu, Petru Bulai, Ovidiu-Alin Popovici, Ioan Surugiu Diurnal Lepidoptera from degraded and restored mining areas in the region of Moldova Nouă – Fluturi diurni din arii miniere poluate și renaturate din zona Moldova Nouă; Andreea Oros, Cristina Craioveanu Hoverfly diversity in restored mining areas from Caraș-Severin County; Cristina Craioveanu, Andreea Oros The Metamorphosis Life Project - Inventory and monitoring of butterflies in ten Natura 2000 sites; László Rákosy, Andrei Crișan, Mihai Pop, Tibor-Csaba Vizauer, Răzvan Popa Lepidopterofaunistic Observations in the Peri-Urban Area of Bistrița; Bogdan Curticăpeanu Popularising issues related to knowledge of alien and invasive Coleoptera in Romanian fauna; Andreea-Cătălina Drăghici, Alexandru-Mihai Pintilioaie, Cosmin-Ovidiu Manci, Dumitru Murariu Catalogue of the „Friedrich Deubel” Lepidoptera Collection of the Faculty of Silviculture and Forestry Engineering, ”Transilvania” University, Brașov (Insecta: Lepidoptera); Ionuț-Marian Dragomir, Levente Székely The genus Phengaris in north-western Romania; Emanuel Enghiș, Gheorghe Ardeleanu, Adrian Ardeleanu, Bryan Mărcuș, Alina Iacob How many mole-crickets are in Romania? The revision of genus Gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae); Elena Iulia Iorgu, Ionela Țîrdea, Ionuț Ștefan Iorgu Lepidoptera species observed in Bucharest, between 2018-2025; Eugenia Petrescu, Alexandru Aurel Ṣtefan-Fotin The fine structure of the antennae in Capnodis cariosa (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and their role in populational distribution; Adrian Ruicănescu, Cristian Sitar, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran, Amalia Dumbravă Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera-Ricaniidae) - first report of a potentially invasive new species in Romania; Alexandru Cazacu, Adrian Ruicănescu Natura 2000 Lepidoptera species in Maramureș County: distribution and conservation; Cristian Sitar, Gheorghe Ardeleanu, Adrian Ardeleanu, Geanina Magdalena Sitar New contributions to the knowledge of the Lepidoptera fauna of Romania: first record of Athetis hospes (Freyer, 1831), new distribution data for Dioszeghyana schmidtii Diószeghy, 1935 and Polymixis flavicincta (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775); Cristian Sitar, Brian Mărcuș, Cosmin Ovidiu Manci, Viorel Olteanu, Emanuel Enghiș, Amalia Dumbravă, Geanina Magdalena Sitar The moths from the Vasile Vicol Collection at the Zoological Museum of Babeș-Bolyai University; Renata-Ioana Șerban, Geanina Magdalena Sitar, Cristian Sitar The Vasile Vicol Carabidae (Coleoptera) Collection at the Zoological Museum of Babeș-Bolyai University; Nica Ivanuș, Geanina Magdalena Sitar, Cristian Sitar Synecological analysis of the mining insect species identified on the Quercus robur species from the Hârboanca Reserve, Vaslui; Alina Maria Stolnicu Uncertain and problematic data in the lepidoptera fauna of Romania (Insecta: Lepidoptera); Levente Székely Weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) found in several green spaces from Cluj-Napoca (Romania); Lucian Alexandru Teodor, Dragomir Cosmin David New technologies and integration of Artificial intelligence for monitoring insect pollinators; Natalia Timuş, Iulia Muntean, Zoltán László Comparative phenology of two butterfly communities in Transylvania (Romania) during the period 2022–2024; Tibor-Csaba Vizauer article no.: ER29202503 The XXXIVth National Symposium of Entomology was organized by the Romanian Lepidopterological Society in collaboration with the Doctoral School “Integrative Biology” and the Faculty of Biology and Geology, “Babeș-Bolyai” University. 11-12 April 2025, Cluj-Napoca, Romania	[details, separate abstracts]	[pdf]
The role of shrubs in maintaining butterfly biodiversity in grasslands Cristina Costache1, Flaviu Bodea1 , Ioan Tăușan2 & László Rákosy3u 1Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Str. Republicii 44, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania 2Department of Environmental Science, Physics, Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University, Str. Doctor Ion Rațiu 5-7, 50012 Sibiu, Romania 3Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty for Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Forestry Faculty, “Ștefan cel Mare” University, Universității 13, Suceava, Romania. e-mail: costachecristina59@yahoo.com, flaviu.bodea@ubbcluj.ro, ionut_tausan2007@yahoo.com, laszlo.rakosy@ubbcluj.ro article no.: ER29202525 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.25 Summary: Hedgerows are an essential component of the agricultural and grassland landscapes of many farms and semi-natural grasslands around the world, and their management plays an important role in enhancing habitat biodiversity. In this article, we show how shrub-removal management practices affect butterfly and plant communities in a small region of Transylvania, Romania. We compared across the 15 sites the abundance and diversity of butterfly species in four different shrub managed plots and found for each type of management indicator species, such as Cupido argiades in sites where shrubs were cut one year prior to our first year sampling, Anthocaris cardamines, Melitaea phoebe, Glaucopsyche alexis and Thymelicus sylvestris, Thymelicus lineola where shrubs were removed three years prior to our first year sampling and Colias alfacariensis where shrubs were removed more than 3 years prior to our first year sampling. Key words: shrubs, butterflies, grasslands, management, biodiversity, Romania	[details, abstract]	[pdf]
First Record of the Palm Borer Moth, Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae), in Montenegro Cristian Sitar1, Brian Mărcuș2, Lucian Pascal3 & Geanina Magdalena Sitar4 1Zoological Museum, Babes-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7 , 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Department of Cluj, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Clinicilor 5, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 2Doctoral School “Education, Reflection, Development”, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Sindicatelor Street 7, 400029 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Calea Mănăştur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania 3Independent researcher, Oradea, Romania 4Independent researcher, Cluj-Napoca, Romania e-mail: cristian.sitar@ubbcluj.ro, geanina.iacob@ubbcluj.ro, bryan_xxl@yahoo.com, pascallucianmihai@yahoo.com article no.: ER29202526 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.26 Summary: Paysandisia archon (Burmeister 1880) is a large, diurnal moth of South American origin (family Castniidae), which has become an invasive pest of ornamental palms across various parts of Europe. Since its accidental introduction via the ornamental plant trade around the year 2000, the species has rapidly expanded its range, being recorded in multiple European countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, and Albania. In this study, we report the first confirmed record of P. archon in Montenegro, representing a new country record for both the species and the family Castniidae. Two female specimens were recorded in June 2023 in the coastal area of Donji Štoj, Ulcinj municipality, southern Montenegro. One specimen was collected using an entomological net, while the second was found as a roadkill. A third individual was observed in flight but not captured. Given the characteristic morphology and flight behavior of the species, misidentification is highly unlikely. The widespread presence of ornamental palms in the Montenegrin coastal region, along with favorable Mediterranean climatic conditions, suggests the potential establishment of a local population. This underscores the need for continued monitoring, particularly through citizen science initiatives. Similar approaches have proven successful in neighboring countries such as Croatia, where a recent study documented 112 observations, mostly contributed by volunteers. Considering the ongoing spread of P. archon and increasing palm cultivation in southeastern Europe, we also highlight the potential for future establishment in Romania, especially along the Black Sea coast. This record from Montenegro emphasizes the continued expansion of P. archon in the region and the growing importance of public engagement in invasive species monitoring. Key words: Paysandisia archon, Lepidoptera, Castniidae, invasive species, palm pests, citizen science.	[details, abstract]	[pdf]
The status of protected butterfly species in Romania in the context of national and EU legislation Tibor-Csaba Vizauer1, Andrei Crișan2 & László Rákosy3u 1Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Str. Republicii 44, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania 2Societatea Lepidopterologică Română, Str. Republicii 48, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania ”Octavian Goga” Secondary School, Str. Peana 16, 400530, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 3Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty for Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Forestry Faculty, “Ștefan cel Mare” University, Universității 13, Suceava, Romania. e-mail: vizauercsaba@gmail.com, andrei.crel@gmail.com, laszlo.rakosy@ubbcluj.ro article no.: ER29202527 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.27 Summary: Insects are undergoing global declines with major implications for ecosystem stability and biodiversity, driven by landuse intensification, pesticides, and climate change. In Europe, long-term data reveal severe losses in pollinators and butterflies, while in Eastern Europe, post-socialist land-use shifts have accelerated insect decline despite initially higher diversity. Romania, home to over 200 butterfly species, has experienced both extinctions and rediscoveries, reflecting deficient monitoring and rapid environmental change. The country’s conservation legislation has evolved from adapting the national legislation to the EU’s legal framework, yet early legal transpositions were inconsistent, and enforcement remains limited. Although 58 butterfly species have appeared in national protection lists since 1993, the implementation of effective conservation measures—especially for species protected under the EU Habitats Directive—remains inadequate. Most Natura 2000 sites in Romania lack reliable data on species status, underscoring the need for systematic monitoring, targeted management, and evidence-based policy to ensure long-term butterfly conservation. Key words: insect decline, protected butterfly species, community interest species, conservation assessment status, Romania	[details, abstract]	[pdf]
The first records of Pammene querceti (Gozmány, 1957) from Romania and of Dioszeghyana schmidtii (Diószeghy, 1935) from Satu Mare County (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Noctuidae) Emanuel Enghiș1, Alina Iacob2, Sándor Kovács3 & Zoltán Kovács4 1Independent researcher, RO–440115 Satu Mare, România 2Independent researcher, RO–440122 Satu Mare, România 3Independent researcher, RO–520027 Sfântu Gheorghe, România 4Independent researcher, RO–530240 Miercurea Ciuc, România e-mail: vaemen1@yahoo.com, alina.iacob76@yahoo.com, skovacssandor@gmail.com, kovkopp@gmail.com article no.: ER29202528 doi: 10.24193/entomolrom.29.28 Summary: On the spring of 2025 in the north-western part of Romania, to Dealurile Tășnadului, in two neighbouring localities, both edges of mixed forests dominated by Quercus cerris L., three specimens of Pammene querceti (Gozmány, 1957) were attracted to artificial light. This is the first record of the species from Romania. It was found to be sympatric and synchronic with Dioszeghyana schmidtii (Diószeghy, 1935) (Noctuidae), which was collected in larger number and also in another locality, and is new record to Satu Mare County. Key words: Pammene querceti, first record, Dioszeghyana schmidtii, Satu Mare County, Romania.	[details, abstract]	[pdf]