Milosz A. Mazur

Opole University · Institute of Biology

Xerothermic species are rare and threatened in central and eastern Europe. In light of the continuing loss of steppe-like habitats due to anthropogenic fragmentation and degradation, the evaluation of genetic variation in populations inhabiting them is of immediate importance if appropriate conservation measures are to be undertaken. Here we report...

Among Crioceris leaf-beetles, the two most widespread species (Crioceris asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata) are serious invasive plant pests, while another two (C. quatuordecimpunctata and C. quinquepunctata) are rare species restricted to steppe-like habitats in Eurasia. The aim of the research was to check the genetic distinctiveness of these four...

Steppe-like habitats in Europe are seriously threatened as a result of fragmentation and anthropogenic degradation, at least in western and central parts. Considering the dramatic loss of steppe-like habitats, the evaluation of genetic variation in populations of steppe species is of immediate importance if appropriate conservation measures are to...

The phylogeography of species associated with European steppes and extrazonal xeric grasslands is poorly understood. This paper summarizes the results of recent studies on the phylogeography and conservation genetics of animals (20 taxa of beetles, butterflies, reptiles and rodents) and flowering plants (18 taxa) of such, "steppic" habitats in East...

In insects, morphological species identification is often challenging. The discrimination of closely related species may be hampered when only subtle differences in phenotypic characters or a continuum in their variability are present. This is exemplified in the Cryptocephalus flavipes species complex (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae) where, until now, t...

In the years 2016-2023, studies on the distribution of terrestrial true-bugs in the Knyszyn Forest were carried out. New faunistic data together with literature confirm occurrence of 159 species of true-bugs, among them 42 species are new for the Podlasie region. In this paper authors present faunistic data about all true-bugs collected during this...

The beetles of the Knyszyńska Forest (KF) (NE Poland) were studied between the years 1979-2023. The KF covers an area of 1767 km2. The following collecting methods were used: various models of self-trapping, entomological net, hydrobiological net, shaking beetles on an entomological umbrella, direct colecting by hands, searching potential feeding g...

Stephanorhynchus White, 1846 is a eugnomine weevil genus endemic to New Zealand, with 18 nominal taxa described within the genus. Examination of the type specimens of these taxa with greater understanding of related genera has led to the distinction of four well-defined genera from the species ascribed to the genus. These are the monotypic genus Pi...

This paper provides an overview of the current knowledge concerning the longhorn beetles, inhabiting the Stobrawski Landscape Park, one of the largest protected areas of its kind in Poland. Drawing upon over 20 years of the authors' research and a comprehensive review of existing literature, a total of 92 species have been identified, representing...

This work attempts to find the reasons for the rather limited range of occurrence of Cheilotoma musciformis in Poland, based on soil properties, which affects both the plant cover and the entomofauna. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of soil enzyme activity on the occurrence of Ch. musciformis in xerothermic grasslands in Southern P...

Aclees taiwanensis Kôno is an alien species in Europe, which originally came from Taiwan. In 2022, it was found for the first time in Poland as the result of an unintentional introduction from France, together with an ornamental specimen of Ficus microcarpa. In this paper, the history of the species' appearance in Europe and its potential harmfulne...

In April 2019, 25.4 ha of woodland in the Płaska Forest District in the SE part of the Augustów Forest were damaged by fire. Between 2020-2022 a survey of beetles in the burnt and unburnt (control) parts of the forest was carried out. The insects were collected in IBL-2bis window (= flight interception) traps. 781 species classified in 67 families...

An invasive species of jewel beetle, Lamprodila (Palmar) festiva (Linnaeus, 1767), has been discovered for the first time in two locations in Poland. This species, which was previously found only in the Mediterranean region, has now also been documented in North Africa, Southern Europe, the southern regions of Central Europe, and Asia Minor. In rec...

Riverine predacious beetles (RPB) (Carabidae, Staphylinidae) are highly diverse and numerous elements of riverine ecosystems. Their historical and contemporary distribution and diversity are highly dependent on natural flow regimes and topography of watercourses. Despite broad knowledge of their ecology, data on population genetic diversity and con...

Arthropods play an essential role in steppe ecosystems. However, studies testing the overall response of terrestrial arthropods to overgrazing are scarce. The problem is particularly worrisome in Central Asia, while, to date, only a very few broader studies have been conducted in this region. We investigated how epigeic terrestrial arthropod assemb...

New record of the African death's head hawkmoth Acherontia atropos (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in Upper Silesia. This note presents a new record of the African death's head hawkmoth Acherontia atropos in Upper Silesia, Poland.

Records of 24 Curculionoidea species new for the Biebrza Basin in Northeastern Poland, including the Biebrza National Park and its buffer zone, are provided as a result of field studies in 2021-2022. Three more weevil species, unique or rare in Poland, were rediscovered in the Biebrza Basin after nearly 20 years, including Anthonomus rubripes GYLLE...

In July 2002, a hurricane destroyed tree stands in a large area of the Piska Forest. Part of the damaged forest – 475 ha – was left without interference (“Szast” protective forest) – to natural succession. In the years 2005–2021, beetles were investigated on selected post-hurricane and control plots. Various types of traps (IBL-2bis, Netocia, Moeri...

The dataset presents a chapter of the Digital Catalogue of Biodiversity of Poland, comprising taxa of (infra)specific level, reported from Poland in the present administrative boundaries of the country. In this instance of the Catalogue, the list includes only taxa of confirmed occurrence, ignoring doubtful records that need verification as well as...

The dataset presents a chapter of the Digital Catalogue of Biodiversity of Poland, comprising taxa of (infra)specific level, reported from Poland in the present administrative boundaries of the country. In this instance of the Catalogue, the list includes only taxa of confirmed occurrence, ignoring doubtful records that need verification as well as...

Apart from the literature data, this list provides unpublished data on 57 species new to ONP, from the authors’ research. At the end of the list there is also an inventory of species that have been removed from the fauna of the OPN after verification of their identification. At present, a total of 1,762 beetle species have been credibly recorded in...

Ptiliolum marginatum (Aube, 1850) (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)-a new species for Poland from the Białowieża National Park. We present the first record of Ptiliolum marginatum for Poland. The specimens have been extracted from two nests of the wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in 2020, during investigations of the invertebrate fauna inhabiting bird ne...

The paper presents unpublished data on the occurrence of rare, protected species of saproxylic beetles: Osmoderma barnabita, Protaetia speciosissima, Lucanus cervus and Cerambyx cerdo in the Opole voivodeship (south-western Poland), together with maps of distribution. The paper also includes comments on the current situation of these species in the...

The catalogue of fauna of the Ojców National Park - volume 1 contains a study of most of the invertebrates and all groups of vertebrates found in the Park. Its authors are a team of over 30 specialists, most of whom in 2017 declared their willingness to take part in this project. The second volume will include lists of: Arachnida arachnids, for whi...

There is evident variation in body size amongst Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache, 1924, weevils. The aims of this study were to assess if the variation in body size in A. santacruzi weevils is a result of sexual dimorphism and what features can be used to distinguish males from females. The weevils were collected from field sites in Mpumalanga, South...

The beetles of the Suwalski Landscape Park (NE Poland) were studied between the years 2006−2013. The park covers an area of 6338 ha. Various field methods were used including sweep netting, dip netting, catching by hand, investigation of potential foraging sites of saproxylic beetles, rearing of cambio- and xylophagous larvae from inhabited materia...

Liparus glabrirostris is one of the largest European weevils, and it has been recently proposed as the flagship species for threatened riparian habitats in mountains. For effective conservation of its populations (and associated habitats), it is crucial to understand its history, contemporary distribution, genetic diversity and predict changes in t...

Different populations of two closely related species, Cryptocephalusflavipes and C. bameuli, from western (Alps, Apennines and Pyrenees) and central Europe (Poland, Ukraine and Pannonia) were analysed. On the basis of DNA sequences from two genes, cox1 and ef1-α, distinctiveness of both species was confirmed. Nevertheless, possible hybrids were ide...

Fires can heavily impact forest ecosystems but fire consequences for animal communities at burned and control sites are rarely investigated in natural forests. Here we present a 10-year study of post-fire beetle succession in natural ecosystem of Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland, being a hotspot for beetle fauna. We sampled beetles at burned and...

Bacterial communities play a crucial role in the biology, ecology, and evolution of multicellular organisms. In this research, the microbiome of 24 selected beetle species representing five families (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae, Scarabaeidae) and three trophic guilds (carnivorous, herbivorous, detrivorous) was examined us...

In this paper, the mature larva and pupa of Bagous claudicans are described and illustrated for the first time. Measurements of younger larval instars are also given. The biology of the species is discussed in association with larval morphology and feeding habits. Overall larval and pupal morphological characters of the genus Bagous are presented....

Callistomorphus is one of the "forgotten" genera of the tribe Eugnomini inhabiting rain forest in New Caledonia. In this paper, the genus Callistomorphus and the type species C. farinosus are redescribed. Eight new species, Callistomorphus fundatus sp. n., C. gibbus sp. n., C. malleus sp. n., C. minimus sp. n., C. rutai sp. n., C. szoltysi sp. n.,...

Knowledge of Wolbachia prevalence with respect to its hosts is restricted mainly to taxonomic/phylogenetic context. In contrast, relations between infection and most host’s ecological and biological traits are poorly understood. This study aimed to elaborate on relations between bacteria and its beetle hosts in taxonomic and the ecological contexts...

Wolbachia,Rickettsia,SpiroplasmaandCardiniumare endosymbiotic and intracellularbacteria known to cause numerous disorders in host reproduction, reflected in their commonname “male-killers”. In this study, 297 beetle species from various taxonomicgroups werescreened with the use of molecular markers for the presence of infection by any of theseendos...

Despite the many studies on Wolbachia in Coleoptera, data about the prevalence of this bacterium among ground and rove beetles are missing. This study describes Wolbachia distribution and diversity in predatory beetles co-habiting the same environment-submontane river channels. Three species of Paederini (Staphylinidae) and four Bembidiini (Carabid...

Intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia (α-Proteobacteria) are the most widespread endosymbionts of insects. Host infection is usually associated with alterations in reproduction, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, the induction of parthenogenesis and offspring sex ratio bias: all phenomena that may infl uence host speciation. In the presen...

New data on the genus Rasilinus (Curculioninae, Eugnomini) are provided, including the description of a new species—Rasilinus bifasciatus sp. n., from New Caledonia. Illustrations and SEM photographs of male external morphology, terminalia, and a colour habitus of the adult of the new species are provided.

New data on the weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of the Eastern Beskidy Mountains. The paper presents new data on the distribution of the superfamily Curculionoidea in the Eastern Beskidy Mountains. The study was carried out between 2003 and 2015 in the south-western part of this region. A list of 134 species of Curculionoidea classified into 7...

The paper presents new data on the distribution of the superfamily Curculionoidea in the Eastern Beskidy Mountains. The study was carried out between 2003 and 2015 in the south-western part of this region. A list of 134 species of Curculionoidea classified into 7 families (Anthribidae, Attelabidae, Rhynchitidae, Nanophyidae, Apionidae, Curculionida...

Background. In the northern (Polish) part of the Karkonosze (Giant) Mountains, no comprehensive study of fauna related to dying trees and decaying wood has ever been carried out, despite the fact that in the 1980’s and 1990’s, catastrophic tree dying occurred there. Until the present time, as a result of tree stand decay process, dead tree and deca...

The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica (Gyllenhal): Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an invasive pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa Linnaeus; Fabaceae) in the Holarctic region. Across the wide geographic distribution of the species different local adaptions have been observed. Further, several distinct mitochondrial lineages have been discovered, which have...

Agathis montana is a conifer endemic to New Caledonia and one of the most threatened (Critically Endangered) plant species of this area. The exact causes of its decline are still unknown. The authors describe the characteristics of A. montana, the history and methodology of populationmonitoring, and possible factors causing the decline and habitat...

Most parthenogenetic weevil species are postulated to have originated via hybridization, but Wolbachia has also been speculated to play a role via the induction of parthenogenesis. Here, we examine the molecular diversity of Wolbachia and parthenogenetic host genomes. The host species studied here, Eusomus ovulum, is known to be exclusively parthen...

The cosmopolitan genus Glischrochilus Reitter, 1873 (Nitidulidae: Cryptarchinae) is distributed in Holarctic and Oriental regions. According to the most recent catalogue (Jelínek & Audisio 2007), 32 species are known from the Palaearctic region. In China the genus is represented by 13 species, most of which were described by Jelínek (1975, 1982, 19...

New distributional records of fifty weevil species (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) in Poland. Fifty weevil species have been recorded from new localities in Poland. They belong to four families: Anthribidae (1), Apionidae (6), Nanophyidae (2) and Curculionidae (41). The new records, 124 in all, are from 64 UTM squares (10×10 km) in 17 of 24 regions of...

The genus Rasilinus gen. n. is described (type species Rasilinus tchambicus sp. n.). Nine new species: Rasilinus bicolor sp. n., Rasilinus bifurcatus sp. n., Rasilinus bimaculatus sp. n., Rasilinus grandidens sp. n., Rasilinus longulus sp. n., Rasilinus subgemellus sp. n., Rasilinus subnodulus sp. n., Rasilinus tchambicus sp. n., Rasilinus virgatus...

First record of Allandrus undulatus (Panzer, 1795) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae) from the Western Beskidy Mts. with information about occurence of species in Poland. Article in Polish.

DNA barcoding facilitates many evolutionary and ecological studies, including the examination of the dietary diversity of herbivores. In this paper, we present a survey of ecological associations between herbivorous beetles and host plants from seriously threatened European steppic grasslands. We determined host plants for the majority (65%) of ste...

The current state of knowledge on the fungus weevils (Coleoptera: Anthribidae) of Lower and Upper Silesia is presented. On the basis of data from literature and gathered by authors, from Lower Silesia 19 species have been recorded until now, while from Upper Silesia 17 species. Three species (Choragus horni, Ch. sheppardi, Pseudeuparius sepicola) a...

Recently, several papers were published dealing with host plant identification for selected species of insects, including beetles. These studies took advantage of the DNA barcoding approach and generally showed that it is possible to identify diet composition from plant DNA present in insect guts. However, none of these studies considered how the i...

Pactola corporosa sp. n. is described from New Caledonia. Illustrations of body parts, terminalia of both sexes and distributional data of the new species are provided. The genus Pactola Pascoe, 1876 now contains thirteen species distributed in New Zealand, New Caledonia and Taevuni Island (Fiji Archipelago).

The state of knowledge on the Mycetophagidae (Coleoptera) of the Lower and Upper Silesia is presented. On the basis of data from references and available in the collections specimens: in the Lower and Upper Silesia until now appearing 14 species of Mycetophagidae. Litargus balteatus is new for the Lower Silesia. (Main tekst in Polish)

The paper presents the distribution of the weevil species Acallocrates colonnellii Bahr, 2003 in Poland and describes the importance of old urban parks for the maintenance of biodiversity. Article in Polish

Carabus scheidleri scheidleri is a very rare, legally protected in Poland species of ground beetle, occurring on single localities mainly in southern part of the country. The Authors present new data about occurrence of this species on the Bolko Island, one of the most valuable nature areas in town of Opole. General distribution of this species in...

Fragmentation and isolation may have detrimental effects on the viability of populations. Xerothermic grasslands, which are extra-zonal analogues of steppes, are among Europe’s most endangered natural environments. Information about connectivity between the remaining habitat patches is critical for effective conservation planning. However, very lit...

Crioceris quinquepunctata is a European leaf beetle, rare and strictly associated with steppe-like habitats in Central and Eastern Europe. We sampled suitable localities in Central East Europe to determine the current distribution and to verify whether populations isolated by the Carpathian Mountains (within Pannonian and Pontic area) show genetic...

The two species of the genus Pactola Pascoe known from New Caledonia, P. convexa (Montrouzier) and P. setacea (Montrouzier), are redescribed and two new species (P. magna sp. n. and P. proxima sp. n.) are described. Pactola kanalensis (Perroud) is a new junior synonym of P. setacea (Montrouzier). A neotype of Pactola setacea (Montrouzier) and lecto...

A new genus and species, Koghicola karolinae, is described from New Caledonia. Illustrations of main structures of new species, colour dorsal habitus photograph of the adult and checklist to the worldwide genera are given.

The paper provides information on the first record of the occurrence of Magdalis (Odontomagdalis) caucasica in Poland. The locality is situated in the south-eastern part of the country. So far this species has been known only from single localities in Europe. In this paper, the information on its occurrence in Europe, biology and possible habitat p...

New data on the occurrence of 16 weevil species from the Kampinos National Park are presented, of which 7 species are recorded from the Mazovia Lowland for the first time. Among them two, Otiorhynchus repletus BOHEMAN and Larinus sturnus (SCHALLER) figure in the “Polish Red List”.

New localities of 35 species of Apionidae and 2 species of Nanophyidae in the Kampinos National Park are presented, among them respectively 26 and 2 species new for the studied area. Regarding Apionidae, 8 of 9 species recorded from the Kampinos National Park in literature, were confirmed to occur there. Perapion oblongum (GYLL.) has been recorded...

Pactola fiji sp. n. is the first species from the tribe Eugnomini described from the Fiji Archipelago. A description, with illustrations and data about the general distribution of the genus, are provided. The genus Pactola Pascoe, 1876 now contains eleven species distributed on New Zealand, New Caledonia and Taevuni Island (Fiji Archipelago).

Anacrapion wanati, a new genus and species of Malvapiini is described from Ghana (West Africa). Apion (Catapion) ghanense Voss, 1973 and Apion (Pseudapion) lamottei Hoffmann, 1963 are transferred to the new genus. A key to species of Anacrapion, and to the genera of Malvapiini is provided.

Authors present the first confirmed locality of Otiorhynchus armadillo (Rossi, 1792) in Poland. Information about occurrence this species in Poland exist in polish literature since 1913, but later researches subjected this data in doubt. Locality from Warsaw is first and probably single nowadays in Poland.

Leaf-rolling weevils of the families Attelabidae and Rhynchitidae were studied in Kampinos National Park where 13 species were found for the first time. New localities are listed for 15 species, respectively 3 and 12 of Attelabidae and Rhynchitidae. Neocoenorrhinus interpunctatus (Stephens, 1831) is new for Mazovia Lowland.

The paper presents the results of a study on the tenebrionid beetles (more than 10.500 specimens belonging to 78 species) collected in Poland and preserved in the following national zoological collections: Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals PAS, Cracow (ISEA), Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS, Warsaw (MIZ) and Upper Silesian Museu...

The authors present data on 10 species of soft-winged flower beetles (Coleoptera: Melyridae) from the Western Beskidy Mts. Occurrence of Malachius scutellaris and Ebaeus flavicornis was confirmed for this territory. Discovery of Hypebaeus flavipes was the first in this region. Information about localities of Aplocnemus nigricornis, Charopus flavipe...

Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of the Stobrawski Landscape Park The work presents the results of faunistic and ecological studies on the weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea without Scolytinae) of the Stobrawski Landscape Park. Between 2006-2008 more than 4 000 specimens representing 285 species of weevils were collected from nine types of pla...

New data on the occurrence of 14 Heteroptera species are presented. One species is recorded for the first time in Lower Silesia and Upper Silesia, 3 species are reported for the first time from Eastern Sudetes