Drosophilidae (Diptera) of Lagodekhi and Vashlovani Protected Areas of Georgia (Sakartvelo), with a list of Transcaucasian species Mehrdad Parchami-Araghi, George Japoshvili Evolutionary Systematics, 2026 A total of 407 drosophilid specimens from the Lagodekhi and Vashlovani Protected Areas are examined, for the first time, and 17 species are reported here, including two new records for Georgia [ Hirtodrosophila confusa (Staeger) and Lordiphosa fenestrarum (Fallén)] and two new records from Transcaucasia [ Scaptomyza flava (Fallén) and Stegana (Steganina) nigrithorax Strobl]. A list of 35 drosophilid species now known from Transcaucasia is given.
Evaluating Biodiversity Metrics for Detecting Climate-Driven Ecological Change Attila Haris, Zsolt Józan, Attila Balázs, George Japoshvili, György Csóka, et al. Ecologies, 2026 To investigate the long-term effects of climate change on biological communities, our primary aim was to identify the most reliable indicators among available biodiversity, dominance, and evenness indices. We examined three distinct response types to climate change, represented by three taxonomic groups: Aculeata (Hymenoptera), Syrphidae (Diptera), and nocturnal macrolepidoptera (Lepidoptera). Using faunistic datasets derived from our own 3–5 decades of field surveys, we calculated 12 key indices with the vegan package in R 4.2.1. The robustness of these indices was assessed through 1000-fold bootstrap simulations and pairwise correlation analyses. Our results revealed that the Gini–Simpson, Simpson diversity, McIntosh diversity, and McIntosh evenness indices consistently demonstrated high temporal stability and strong correlations across all three climate response types. Therefore, we recommend these indices as primary climate indicators. In contrast, Chao1 estimates, Margalef Index, Menhinick Index, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index are suitable only for analyzing specific response patterns. Meanwhile, the Berger–Parker, Buzas–Gibson indices, and Hill numbers showed high variability or limited ecological responsiveness, making them unreliable for tracking climate change impacts. Our findings underscore that selecting biodiversity indices must be tailored to the research question and the characteristics of the ecosystem in order to ensure valid and informative ecological analysis.
New records of Polistes paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) for Georgia with first DNA barcodes from Vashlovani National Park George Japoshvili, Toshko Ljubomirov, Dustin Kulanek, Martin Husemann Caucasiana, 2026 We hereby present the first country records of two vespid species of the genus Polistes Latreille, 1802 (Vespidae) — Polistes bucharensis Erichson, 1849 and P. mongolicus du Buysson, 1911 — for Georgia (Sakartvelo). We identified specimens morphologically and confirmed the identification with DNA barcode data. Based on this, we provide some of the first DNA barcodes for these species from the region as a basis for future research.
New records of Diptera from Lagodekhi Reserve, Sakartvelo (Georgia), with descriptions of new species DAVID BRICE, OWEN LONSDALE, IAIN MACGOWAN, JOZEF OBOŇA, RUUD VAN DER WEELE, et al. Zootaxa, 2026 Sixteen families were studied from the survey presented here, seven of which were new to Georgia. Of the 62 genera identified, 54 represent new country records. Of the 140 recorded species, 111 are new records for Georgia, whereas 10 are new for science and described here for the first time. The most diverse family was Sphaeroceridae with 39 species, followed by Agromyzidae with 27. Of the newly described species, seven belong to Agromyzidae: Liriomyza priapus Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (Napomyza) alata Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (P.) affinoides Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (P.) orphne Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (P.) pilosinomia Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (P.) skia Lonsdale, sp. nov.; Phytomyza (P.) villosus Lonsdale, sp. nov.; and three to Sphaeroceridae: Copromyza pileus Brice, sp. nov.; Gonioneura lagodekhiensis Brice, sp. nov.; and Terrilimosina irwini Brice, sp. nov.
Known unknowns at our doorstep: Description of 14 Western Palaearctic species within the newly defined Aphanogmus fumipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Ceraphronoidea, Ceraphronidae) Tobias Salden, István Mikó, Arnstein Staverløkk, Marina Moser, Cristina Vasilița, et al. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 2026 Aphanogmus fumipennis Thomson, 1858 is one of the most frequently recorded ceraphronid parasitoid wasp species, considered to have a wide geographic distribution, numerous synonyms, and a broad host spectrum. 257 specimens with a posterior mesosomal comb, a character traditionally associated with A. fumipennis , from eight Western Palaearctic countries were examined using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological study with focus on male genitalia and analyses of DNA barcode sequences. Among those specimens, we detected 14 new species, which are all classified in a newly diagnosed A. fumipennis species group and made accessible through an identification key: Aphanogmus bispinatus Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. crispy Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. digitangulus Salden, Staverløkk, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. hafti Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. hamatogonus Salden, Staverløkk, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. harpagodalis Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. karlazani Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. kintrishi Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. latiharpus Salden & Peters, sp. nov ., A. tkheliharpus Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. trigoharpus Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. vashlovani Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. ventricoharpus Salden, Staverløkk, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov ., A. zefranki Salden, Mikó & Peters, sp. nov . At least nine additional species were delimited by sequence data only, but not formally described, indicating a minimum of 23 species in the A. fumipennis species group in the Western Palaearctic. Finally, we provide a detailed genus diagnosis for Aphanogmus and discuss the status of the nominal species A. fumipennis Thomson, 1858 as a species of uncertain identity. This study represents the first taxonomic treatment in 66 years to describe more than a single Palaearctic Aphanogmus species. It also provides the first Ceraphronoidea species descriptions from Georgia, where species richness has almost increased fivefold, and nearly doubles the number of ceraphronid species known from Germany. This demonstrates that even in historically well studied regions such as the Western Palaearctic, many parasitoid wasp groups, and Ceraphronoidea in particular, are extremely understudied. Discovering these known unknowns paves the way for further research on ecology, evolution, application and conservation of Ceraphronoidea.
Sawflies from Lagodekhi (Georgia, Sakartvelo) with Description of Ametastegia lagodekhiensis spec. nov. Bulletin of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, 2025
A review of Apis mellifera caucasica (Hym., Apidae): History, taxonomy and distribution Irakli Janashia, Layne Westover, George Japoshvili Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics, 2025 . The taxonomic status and placement of the Caucasian honey bee ( Apis mellifera caucasica Gorbachev, 1916) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) remains puzzling, largely based on outdated investigations. After reviewing available scientific sources, we conclude that initially there was a confusing mismatch between the traditional geographical understanding of the Caucasus and the actual distribution of A. m. caucasica. Insufficient geographic sampling of honeybees across the Caucasus, a statistically inadequate number of studied samples, and incomplete research methodology are major drawbacks of previous studies. Morphometric reference data derived from an extremely limited number of samples still is in use as a standard for the identification of A. m. caucasica . It is highly probable, that this standard does not reflect true morphometric diversity, covering natural geographical variations, which most importantly hinder preservation or breeding efforts. To resolve these deficits, honeybees of the Caucasus and adjacent regions need to be studied in more detail with greater depth of sampling. A thorough study, using modern morphometric approaches and molecular genetic methods, is needed to characterize A. m. caucasica and produce a statistically robust dataset for due reconsideration of its taxonomic status and placement.
Additions to the knowledge of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Norway, with descriptions of two new species GEORGE JAPOSHVILI, ARNSTEIN STAVERLØKK Zootaxa, 2024 Two genera of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are for the first time recorded from Norway: Dusmetia Mercet, 1921 and Prionomastix Mayr, 1876. Six new species records for the country are presented, including two newly described taxa: Aphycus staverlokki Japoshvili sp. n. and Metaphycus sannes Japoshvili sp. n. The total number of known Norwegian species of the family is currently 156.
Results of the Study of Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Populations in Various Habitats of Borjomi Gorge Bulletin of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, 2024
Three new Minotetrastichus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) species records from Transcaucasia Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2017
Chalcid wasps of the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Oslo Municipality, Norway, with description of a new species Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 2017
New record of Neotrichoporoides (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Georgia with some taxonomic and biogeographical notes Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2017
A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 2016
New record of Tamarixia (hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from transcaucasia with some taxonomic and biogeographical notes Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2016
New records of hymenopterans for Georgia from Mtirala National Park Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2015
New records of encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Norway V Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 2015
New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Norway VI Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 2015
New records of Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Norway, with additional information on host associations and description of a new species Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 2015
New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Norway, with additional information on host associations Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 2012
Notes on the family staphylinidae (coleoptera) collected by pitfall traps in Gölcük Natural Park, Isparta province of Turkey Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2011
The aphelinid and encyrtid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in the Van Lake basin of Turkey Turkiye Entomoloji Dergisi, 2010
Hymenopteran diversity and abundance in Gölcük Natural Park in Isparta, Turkey Turkiye Entomoloji Dergisi, 2010
Erratum: A note on the primary type depository of Aphelinus babaneuri and A. Yasnoshae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidodiea: Aphelinidae) (Journal of the Entomological Research Society) Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 2010
The Transcaucasian species of Coccobius Ratzeburg 1852 (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), with the description of three new species from Georgia Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 2010
A new species of encyrtids (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from Turkey Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 2005
New records of encyrtid parasitoids of Kermes palestiniensis Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Kermesidae), with the description of a new species of Blastothrix Mayr (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from Turkey Entomological News, 2003
