The first record of the Azalea rough bollworm, Earias roseifera Butler, 1881 in Europe is reported. Larvae were collected on twigs, sprouts and buds of several azalea hybrids growing in a botanical garden in the province of Como (Northern Italy). The larvae fed mainly on the flower and vegetative buds, which resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of blossom. Specimens were identified using both morphological characters and a molecular analysis of the DNA barcode (COX1 sequence).
Myotis alcathoe has been recorded in the territory of Slovakia for the first time. On 2 August 2001, two individuals of the species were netted at the entrance to the Stĺpová jaskyňa cave in the basaltic plateau of the Cerová vrchovina Mts (48° 12’ 23” N, 19° 54’ 37” E; 525 m a. s. l; ca. 2 km south of the village of Šurice). The species identification was confirmed by sequencing part of the mitochondrial gene ND1 in two specimens. Measurements and description of external and cranial characters, as well as description of the baculum of these two reference specimens are given for further comparisons of this poorly known species.
The occurrence in the Mediterranean part of Europe of the African species Potamogeton schweinfurthii is recorded for the first time. So far, this native but overlooked species has been found on five major Mediterranean islands: Corsica, Sardinia, Malta, Kefallinía (Ionian Islands, Greece) and Crete. The species is most similar and presumably closely related to the mainly Eurasian P. lucens, with which it has been partly confused. The nomenclature and a description of P. schweinfurthii are provided, and its taxonomy and how it differs from similar taxa discussed. All known localities are listed, together with voucher specimens preserved in the major European herbaria. A distribution map of P. schweinfurthii in the Mediterranean region is presented.