Phegea 52 – 2024

Phegea 53 – 2025

Phegea 54 – 2026

Phegea 53 – nummer 1 (1 maart 2025) (Nieuwsbrief/Newsletter)

de Jong R.: Editoriaal. Vleesetende rupsen
Phegea 53(1): 2–3.
Dit editoriaal is geschreven op vriendelijke uitnodiging van de hoofdredacteur aan de voormalige Wetenschappelijk Directeur van Naturalis, voormalig voorzitter van Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica, een bekende vlinderspecialist en vaste columnist van het zusterblad Entomologische Berichten, Dr. Rienk de Jong over het bijzondere gedrag van sommige Lepidoptera soorten.
(Nederlands) – – Open Access

Couckuyt J.: An extremely melanistic form of Melanargia galathea (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)
Phegea 53(1): 4–6.
During a Balkan trip in June/July 2023, a very striking colour form of Melanargia galathea (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), the Marbled White, was observed. Despite the occasional appearance of melanistic colour forms amongst animals, this complete dark colour form within butterflies is rather rare. In itself, this is not spectacular news in the world of butterflies, but it is an interesting observation.
(English) –

Troukens W., Braeckman A. & Raemdonck H.: Cyclodinus constrictus (Coleoptera: Anthicidae): nieuw voor de Belgische keverfauna
Phegea 53(1): 7–9.
Cyclodinus constrictus (Curtis, 1838) is een halofiele snoerhalskever die vooral leeft in de kustgebieden van de West-Palaearctische subregio. In het noorden is hij zeldzaam, maar hij is bekend van de Atlantische kust van Frankrijk, de zuidkust van Engeland en het zuidwesten van Nederland. Aan de Belgische kust zijn voor het eerst enkele exemplaren ontdekt te Lissewege in 2022 en te Nieuwpoort in 2023.
(Nederlands) –

Peeters I. & Rapuzzi I.: A new subspecies of Carabus (Morphocarabus) scheidleri (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Ötztaler Alps, Tyrol, Austria
Phegea 53(1): 10–17.
Based on material collected by Ief Peeters and Andreas Berger in August 2023, the description of a new subspecies of Carabus (Morphocarabus) scheidleri Panzer, 1799 from the Ötztaler Alps in Tyrol (Austria) is given.
(English) –

Recour R., Steeman C. & Wullaert S.: Pyrausta virginalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae), nieuw voor de Belgische fauna
Phegea 53(1): 18–21.
Op 3 juni 2022 werd een exemplaar van Pyrausta virginalis (Duponchel, 1832) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) verzameld te Deerlijk (West-Vlaanderen). Tot zover bekend zou dit de meest noordelijke waarneming voor Europa zijn. Informatie over de geografische verspreiding, biologie en kenmerken worden uitvoerig besproken. De soort wordt hier voor het eerst in België vermeld.
(Nederlands) –

Parmentier L. & Qirinxhi X.: Unexpected cryptic diversity revealed through integrative analysis within isolated populations of the Graylings (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) in the Western Balkans
Phegea 53(1): 22–38.
The Balkan Peninsula is a European biodiversity hotspot, home to unique endemic species like the Graylings (genus Pseudochazara) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). In July 2017, the first author discovered an unknown Pseudochazara population near Krastë, central Albania, over 130 km from known populations in south-eastern Albania and north-western Greece. Another population was found in July 2022 near Lurë in the same massif. Initially classified as P. tisiphone Brown, 1981 in the atlas "Fluturat e Shqipërisë," this study shows these populations evolved allopatrically due to geographical isolation. We present new findings based on unpublished data from multiple expeditions between 2015–2023, and through an extended comparison with related Pseudochazara populations. We conducted a comprehensive biometric analysis of morphologic traits in males and females (habitus, androconial scales, and genitalia) alongside a systematic differentiation based on the mt COI gene from specimens collected in Albania and Greece. Our results show that the central Albanian populations found in the eastern belt of the Mirdita zone in the vast inner Albanides Massif are distinct from known P. tisiphone populations in the western ophiolitic belt, and the surroundings of the Pindos Massif in Greece. Systematic positioning indicated these populations form a distinct monophyletic cluster, closely related to sister species P. orestes and P. tisiphone, but genetically closer to P. orestes. Morphologically, they exhibit intermediate traits and unique androconial scales, similar to P. cingovskii Gross, 1971 from North Macedonia. Based on current taxonomic insights, we describe the unique populations from central Albania as a new cryptic species within the 'P. hippolyte' clade of the genus, Pseudochazara misjai Parmentier, sp. nov.
This paper further discusses our integrative analysis and emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts in Albania, hosting the exclusive habitats of this new species and being a stronghold for rare Pseudochazara species in Europe.
(English) – – Supplement files S1, S2, S3 Open Access

Troukens W. & Drumont A.: Twee boktorsoorten (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), nieuw voor de westrand van Brussel
Phegea 53(1): 39–41.
Tussen 1970 en 2024 werden 47 boktorsoorten aangetroffen aan de westrand van Brussel. Sindsdien werden hier nog twee andere soorten gesignaleerd: Cerambyx scopolii Fuessly, 1775 en Calamobius filum (Rossi, 1790) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). De recente ontdekkingen kunnen het resultaat zijn van een toenemend natuurvriendelijk bos- en parkbeheer, alsook door de zachtere winters gedurende de laatste decaden en door het intensief handelsverkeer met Azië. Dit artikel behandelt de twee soorten, aangevuld met illustraties en details over hun ontdekking, kenmerken, levenswijze en verspreiding.
(Nederlands) –

Benyamini D.: Note 1. On the populations of Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii in Oman & U.A.C. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae: Polyommatini)
Phegea 53(1): 42–44.
This short taxonomic note discusses the problems concerning the subspecies of Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii (Zeller, 1847) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae: Polyommatini) in Oman & U.A.E. The author suggests placing in synonymy Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii kerkhofi Tshikolovets, 2024 syn. nov., described in Phegea 52(3): 138–139 with Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii feulneri Benyamini, 2023, described in Butterflies of the Levant, Lycaenidae, vol. IV: 170–171.
(English) –

Bálint Z.: Note 2. Annotations on the Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) populations of the Musandam Peninsula, Oman & United Arab Emirates
Phegea 53(1): 45–46.
This short taxonomic note discusses the problems regarding the subspecies Plebejus (Plebejidea) loewii kerkhofi Tshikolovets, 2024 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) from Oman described in Phegea 52(3): 138–139.
(English) –

Phegea 53 – nummer 2 (1 juni 2025) (Nieuwsbrief/Newsletter)

Hoffmann O.: Een vlindertuin te Waasmunster (Oost-Vlaanderen, België): een hot spot voor het scheefbloemwitje Pieris mannii (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
Phegea 53(2): 50–60.
Eind 2016 werd de warmteminnende soort, Pieris mannii (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) voor het eerst waargenomen in België, meer bepaald in de provincie Luxemburg nabij Bastenaken. Vanaf dan heeft het scheefbloemwitje zich vanuit de Ardennen richting Belgische kust aan een snel tempo verspreid. In het jaar 2019 werd dit witje voor het eerst waargenomen (Casier 2019) in het Projectgebied Dagvlinders Durme- en Schelde (PDDS gebied). In 2020 nam de auteur het scheefbloemwitje voor het eerst waar in zijn vlindertuin te Waasmunster.
(Nederlands) –

Valkov R.: Practical implications of studying insect immune systems
Phegea 53(2): 61–76.
Studying the complexity of insect immune systems is a feasible way to use the significant medical potential of insects in favour of human health care (Sahoo et al. 2021). The exponential growth of antibiotic resistance poses a global health threat due to a steady increase in the diversity of pathogens, impervious to standard antibiotic treatment (Manniello et al. 2021). Therefore, at least partially, an inventive approach is required to mitigate the problem. A realistic prospect to limit the consequences is the development of alternative medical remedies (Vestergaard et al. 2019). This article traces several research directions regarding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), found in certain insect species, and encourages further studies of their therapeutic potential. This is achieved through reviewing a selection of medically significant peptides in the literature. In addition, possible routes to expand general immunobiological knowledge using relevant examples from the European fauna are described. Another essential purpose of this work is to suggest other insect species to be studied in light of the numerous gaps in immunobiological knowledge and justify the offered selection in conjunction with some essential criteria. The paper critically analyses apparent problems with research conventions and standards applied in such highly specialised studies and discusses several fundamental issues to highlight the importance of maintaining scientific integrity.
(English) –

Steeman C.: Filatima incomptella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae: Gelechiini), a new species for the Belgian fauna
Phegea 53(2): 77–79.
On September 9, 2023, Filatima incomptella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) (Gelechiidae) was captured at a light trap in the Brackvenn in the High Fens national nature reserve near Eupen (province of Liège). This species is mentioned here for the first time for the Belgian fauna.

Beidts A. & Wullaert S.: Cydia medicaginis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) nieuw voor de Belgische fauna
Phegea 53(2): 80–85.
Tijdens een lichtvangst in de tuin van de eerste auteur werden op 17.vi.2021 in Zeebrugge (WV) de eerste exemplaren van Cydia medicaginis (Kuznetsov, 1962) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) gevangen in België. Nadien volgden nog een aantal exemplaren, opnieuw in Zeebrugge en op een nieuwe vindplaats tegen het Antwerps havengebied te Oost-Vlaanderen. Details over de biologie en de verspreiding worden besproken.
(Nederlands) –

John E. & Evans S.: A first record of eremic Pontia glauconome (Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Pierinae) in Cyprus: an example of unavoidable wind-borne displacement by a Saharan dust storm?
Phegea 53(2): 86–92.
In late April 2024, much of the eastern Mediterranean experienced the effects of a Saharan dust storm that was particularly severe over Greece but extended eastwards to affect Cyprus. We report on the contemporaneous appearance in Cyprus of Pontia glauconome (Klug, 1829) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Pierinae), a desert species not associated with wind-borne dispersal and previously unrecorded for the island. We explain why we consider the source country to be Libya and highlight the need for the careful separation of Pontia glauconome from lighter summer forms of Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus, 1758). Dust storm displacement of Lepidoptera appears to be an infrequently reported occurrence, drawing attention to which may encourage further study into the possible arrival of other alien species by means of this natural phenomenon
(English) –

Parmentier L., Qirinxhi X. & De Prins W.: Precedence between simultaneously published new taxa names in the genus Pseudochazara (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) with a synonymisation act based on the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
Phegea 53(2): 93–96.
Recently, the new species Pseudochazara misjai Parmentier, 2025 (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) was published in Phegea 53(1), and simultaneously P. tisiphone dibra Cuvelier & Marafi, 2025 was published in the new online journal ‘AWPL’, based on limited observations of the same populations found in Central Albania (Dibër Province). However, we argue that, according to Article 24.1. of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the latter subspecies, P. tisiphone dibra Cuvelier & Marafi, 2025, syn. nov. should be handled as a subjective synonym of the newly described P. misjai. Furthermore, we discuss that the new AWPL journal, its current authors, editors, and publishers (that are largely overlapping), and its ‘open peer-review process’ use dubious principles that do not conform to the ICZN. Actions should be undertaken by the scientific community against such malicious new online journals.
(English) – Open Access

Phegea 53 – nummer 3 (1 september 2025) (Nieuwsbrief/Newsletter)

De Prins J. & de Vos R.: Editorial. Ethical trends for insect collecting. Less is more
Phegea 53(3): 98–99.
In this editorial, the authors raise ethical questions. Do we really need to collect, collect and collect? Even if it is not forbidden to collect, do we really need so many pinned specimens and so huge collections of insects? Our northern neighbours, the members of the Dutch Entomological Society, during their general Assembly of members on 17 April 2025, discussed the ethical issues about collecting, even with permits, very broadly, candidly and openly. Times have changed, so we, entomologists, are adapting to changes. We advise following the legal way to keep and provide evidence of legal collecting activity.
(English) – Open Access

Anastassiu H. T. & Coutsis J. G.: Evidence for the overwintering capability of Pelopidas thrax (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) in Northern Greece, indicating potentially permanent establishment
Phegea 53(3): 100–104.
An influx of Pelopidas thrax (Hübner, 1821) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) is described from Northern Greece (area around the city of Sérres, region of Kentrikí Makedhonía, autumn 2023), in addition to a fresh specimen collected in spring 2024. As opposed to isolated specimens recorded from N. Greece lately, this is the first time that several specimens have been observed flying and nectaring together, behaving as an entire colony. This particular species was completely absent from N. Greece until recently, since it was presumably unable to survive local winter conditions. However, due to global warming and increasingly milder temperatures, there are serious indications that Pelopidas thrax is actually expanding its range from the eastern Aegean coast to the northern Greek mainland, almost surely breeding on the spot.
(English) –

Troukens W. & van Breugel P.: Trichodes apiarius (Coleoptera: Cleridae) in de Benelux
Phegea 53(3): 105–108.
Naar aanleiding van enkele vondsten van Trichodes apiarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) aan de westrand van Brussel, werd de biologie en de verspreiding van deze soort nader onderzocht. De volwassen kevers bezoeken bloemen waar zij zich voeden met stuifmeel en nectar. De larven ontwikkelen zich als parasieten in nesten van solitaire bijen, occasioneel ook in kasten van honingbijen. T. apiarius is vrij gewoon in Europa, Noord-Afrika en oostwaarts tot in de Kaukasus. In de Benelux komt hij verspreid voor, vooral ten zuiden van de grote rivieren.
(Nederlands) –

Allaert R., Beidts A. & Declercq W.: Phyllonorycter ulicicolella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), new to Belgium and northern France
Phegea 53(3): 109–113.
Phyllonorycter ulicicolella (Stainton, 1851) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium and Northern France. On December 15, 2023, multiple leaf mines on Ulex europaeus L. (Fabaceae) containing caterpillars were photographed and collected at De Schuddebeurze, West-Flanders, leg. R. Allaert, A. Beidts, W. Declerq. Following the initial discovery, further fieldwork uncovered the species at multiple locations along the Belgian coast. Additional sites were also discovered in the historic Bruges sandy region, notably around Beernem. The species was also observed in the province of East Flanders near Aalter. This report provides information on recent search efforts, alongside details of the species' distribution in neighbouring countries, and aspects of its biology.
(English) –

Konečný K.: New findings on the bionomics of butterflies of the family Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) in southwestern Bulgaria
Phegea 53(3): 114–116.
Interesting findings on the bionomics and ecology of the butterflyTarucus balkanica (Freyer, 1843) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) are presented. New findings complement previously known data about this exotic species and introduce new knowledge of another species of the family Lycaenidae – Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758).
(English) –

Meert R.: Lampronia capitella (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae): feeding signs of first instar larvae in Ribes fruits
Phegea 53(3): 117–120.
The occurrence of Lampronia capitella (Clerck, 1759) (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae) is mainly confirmed by observations of adult moths or nearly full-grown larvae within terminal shoots of Ribes spp. in early spring. This article briefly describes and illustrates a way of detecting this species in late spring or early summer by searching for feeding signs in the developing fruits of the host plant.
(English) –

Meert R.: First observations of Depressaria ultimella (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) in Spain
Phegea 53(3): 121–123.
In early July 2024, a pupa and feeding signs of Depressaria ultimella Stainton, 1849 (Marsh Brown) (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) were found in stems of Helosciadium nodiflorum (L.) W.D.J. Koch (Fool’s Watercress) in the Spanish town Cangas de Onís (province of Asturias). These are the first observations of this species in the country. In this article, the biology of D. ultimella and the Spanish observations are briefly discussed and illustrated.
(English) –

Valkov R.: Knowing large moths better: Coscinia chrysocephala (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) can provide an ethological insight into the understudied Erebidae in Bulgaria
Phegea 53(3): 124–128.
On many occasions, behaviour is difficult to observe, especially flight, which is hard to track in field conditions. Despite being a major evolutionary adaptation, attention is mainly drawn to its fundamental locomotory function. The predominant zoogeographical exploration of flight results in overlooking some of its subtle evolutionary aspects, especially at a much smaller ecological scale, e.g., old garden habitats. Thus, it would be a worthy approach to look into observational data for species that exhibit odd flight behaviour, reflect on what purpose it potentially serves and address the likely mechanisms triggering and affecting specific flight behaviour. The current article describes a single occurrence of Coscinia chrysocephala (Hübner, 1810) on 05.ix.2020 in the town of Byala Slatina, Bulgaria (the author's garden). This species account seeks to demonstrate the importance of detecting ethological details, which may provide meaningful ecological and evolutionary data that can also be associated with other closely related taxa. In addition, the role of small and ecologically preserved garden habitats as sources of entomological knowledge is further reinforced by considering the habitat mosaic as a factor related to the occurrence in question.
(English) –

Troukens W.: Vijf soorten prachtkevers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), nieuw voor de westrand van Brussel
Phegea 53(3): 129–134.
De laatste jaren werden vijf nieuwe Buprestidae (Coleoptera) gevonden aan de westrand van Brussel: Agrilus guerini Boisduval & Lacordaire, 1835, A. ater (Linnaeus, 1767), A. laticornis (Illiger, 1803), A. convexicollis Redtenbacher, 1849 en A. sinuatus (Olivier, 1790). Hun larven knagen gangen in het spinthout van verzwakte loofbomen waardoor de sapstroom verstoord wordt en de bomen tenslotte kunnen afsterven. A. sinuatus kan economische schade aanrichten in de fruitteelt.
(Nederlands) –

Troukens W. & Raemdonck H.: Pleurophorus caesus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), nieuw voor de westrand van Brussel
Phegea 53(3): 135–137.
Naar aanleiding van een recente vangst van Pleurophorus caesus (Creutzer, 1796) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest wordt de biologie en de verspreiding van dit mestkevertje onderzocht. Zowel larven als imago’s leven van gecomposteerd plantenmateriaal. De soort is inheems in Midden- en Zuid-Europa, Noord-Afrika en verder oostwaarts tot in het Nabije Oosten en de Kaukasus. In de Benelux alleen aanwezig als zeer occasionele immigrant en door de wereldhandel geëvolueerd tot een kosmopoliet.
(Nederlands) –

Couckuyt J.: Morphological note. Hipparchia volgensis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from Dobrogea reveals a surprising genitalia form
Phegea 53(3): 138–140.
During an entomological trip in 2023 to Dobrogea (Romania), a very worn male specimen of Hipparchia volgensis (Mazochin-Porshnjakov, 1952) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) was collected in Agighiol, Tulcea county. Its genitalia surprisingly and unexpectedly deviate from its normal form. Is this finding a hitherto unknown teratological form of Hipparchia volgensis?
(English) –

Garrevoet T. & Veraghtert W.: Synanthedon spuleri (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) ook in Vlaanderen
Phegea 53(3): 141–142.
Tijdens een gezamenlijke excursie van beide auteurs begin mei 2023 werd in Voeren (LI), achter een stuk schors van een beschadigde beuk, een cocon met rups gevonden van Synanthedon spuleri (Fuchs, 1908) (Spulers wespvlinder) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Een imago ontpopte later die maand. Het is voor het eerst dat deze soort wordt waargenomen in Vlaanderen.
(Nederlands) –

Phegea 53 – nummer 4 (1 december 2025) (Nieuwsbrief/Newsletter)