Eight pitfall trap preservatives, brine, saturated borax solution, propylene glycol (33%, 50%, 75%), white vinegar, 100% ethylene glycol, FAACC (Formaldehyde 4%, Acetic acid 5%, Calcium chloride 1.3%), 4% phosphate buff ered formaldehyde and 96% ethanol, were compared for their ability to preserve the internal reproductive organs of the dung beetle Liatongus militaris (Laporte) (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) for up to 28 days in the fi eld. Relative evaporation rates of the preservatives in riparian vine thicket and low open woodland environments were also compared. 96% ethanol, FAACC and 4% phosphate buff ered formaldehyde were the only solutions found to preserve all of the internal reproductive organs. Evaporation rates were lower in the vine thicket and some preservatives such as ethanol completely evaporated within seven days. 4% phosphate buff ered formaldehyde is recommended as a preservative for pitfall traps left in the fi eld for periods longer than one week. Possible ways to prevent trap interference by mammals and risks to the environment due to overspill are also discussed.

The superfamily Tipuloidea contains the following cranefly families: Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, with 1267 species known in Europe. Recent studies have increased our knowledge regarding these families substantially, but craneflies still represent an understudied group, even in Europe. A previous paper focused on European Limoniidae, summarizing the faunistic and taxonomic papers concerning the family between 2010 and 2020, and reported additional new country records. In this study, the focus is on the other three cranefly families: Cylindrotomidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, summarizing taxonomic and faunistic studies concerning these families in Europe between 2010 and 2022. Also presented are 204 occurrence records belonging to one Cylindrotomidae, 23 Pediciidae and 62 Tipulidae species, which represent first country records from various European countries: three from Albania, three from Belarus, one from Belgium, three from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 13 from Bulgaria, two from Cyprus, two from Denmark, three from Estonia, one from Finland, two from Greece, three from Italy, one from Montenegro, one from North Macedonia, six from Norway, six from Poland, four from Portugal, seven from Serbia, four from Slovenia, two from Spain and one from Sweden, and three from the European territory of Russia. In addition of species known already from Russia, six are presented as new from Central European Russia, 26 from East European Russia, six from North Caucasus and six from North European Russia.

The biology and early life-history stages of the Cyprus endemic blue Glaucopsyche paphos Chapman 1920 on its Genista hostplants are described for the first time. Information regarding local distribution, phenology, diapause, myrmecophily, parasites and ethology is provided. We compare some biological aspects of G. paphos with those of its Palaearctic congeners G. alexis and G. melanops, and with Nearctic G. lygdamus and G. piasus. Furthermore, we present photographs of the G. paphos holotype along with collection labels, thus providing data missing from the original description.

Clarina syriaca (Lederer, 1855) was known from Cyprus by a single adult specimen collected in 1950. Recently, an adult and larva have been found, proving the existence of a breeding population. Clarina syriaca is thus confirmed as resident in Cyprus, as a relict population inhabiting riparian gallery forests, which act as isolated refugia surrounded by drier pine woodland or cultivated land. Information is provided on the early life history stages of C. syriaca, with further notes on its taxonomic status, biology, ecology, and host plants.

In this paper we describe first breeding of Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea in Cyprus. Twenty-three nests were found during the 2020 and 2021 breeding seasons in riparian habitats adjacent to major river systems in the Paphos State Forest. Most nests were located on roadside banks at a height of 2.38 m above the ground and at a distance of about 0–10 m from the river. Nests consisted of grassy cups with a mean diameter of 13.39 cm, while the nest cup itself had a mean diameter of 7.07 cm and a depth of 3.41 cm. Twelve nesting attempts were monitored with females laying eggs between early April and early July. A total of 54 eggs were laid and 44 nestlings were successfully raised from the 12 nests. The mean clutch size was 4.5 eggs per nest, the mean number of hatched eggs was 3.92 and the mean number of fledglings was 3.67. Parents fed their young mostly on invertebrates and in particular on insects. Diptera and Odonata were the most common insect Orders comprising the majority of prey items. Average insect prey size was 10.79 mm (range 2–60 mm), with little difference in prey size between that delivered by males and females. This study confirms the first breeding of the species in Cyprus, where it follows a breeding pattern similar to that in other parts of Western Palearctic range. The affinity of the Grey Wagtail to human structures and the low predation rate highlight the successful breeding potential and the future range expansion of the species across the island of Cyprus.