Roads are considered major movement barriers for the Hazel Dormouse, a strictly arboreal mammal. Recent evidence shows that they inhabit roadside habitats and can safely cross roads, but no evidence of road mortality has been documented so far. In our study we investigate the occurrence of safe road crossings and roadkills using direct observation during optimal activity of Hazel Dormice, by surveying 35 km of national and local roads transects in Romania. The transect crossed a representative landscape with forests, pastures, arable land and small villages. We encountered Hazel Dormice on roads on 21 occasions, out of which 10 were roadkills, 8 were safe crossings and 3 were individuals standing by the side of the road. Our study gives direct evidence that safe crossings do occur, but also documents road mortality in this species for the first time. We explored the habitat context around the roads to understand the determinants of road crossings. We found that woody and shrubby vegetation elements in the vicinity of the roads are important, especially in arable dominated landscapes. Factors influencing road crossing behaviour and the ways mortality impacts the dormouse population are still largely unknown. Understanding these can improve mitigation actions.

Although beans are an important part of the human diet, their long-term storage is still problematic due to pest damage by seed beetles. This study provides data on a documented detection of Mexican bean beetle Zabrotes subfasciatus in Romania. A great number of individuals were found inside packages of small white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) imported from Syria and Ethiopia. Based on the investigation of the infested seeds, rearing and biology of the species, it is unlikely that this alien species is established in Romania. We also provide the first known record of Bruchidius glycyrhizae in Romania, based on its previously known distribution and the range of its host plants, it is more likely an overlooked native species.