A new species of oak gall wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini) from Turkey

A new species of the genus Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Cynipidae: Cynipini) is described from Burdur province in Turkey: Andricus arslani Azmaz & Katılmış sp. n. sexual generation. The new species induce galls on Quercus cerris L. belonging to section Cerris. SEM images, photos of the host galls, and data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are provided.

New syntaxon names for the Italian Quercus cerris woods

Based on the results of a previous nomenclatural revision of the Italian Quercus cerris forests, 31 syntaxon names are here validated or described as new and 5 lectotypes are designated.

Infestation of Early- and Late-Flushing Trees by Spring Caterpillars: An Associational Effect of Neighbouring Trees

In temperate forests within Europe, early-flushing (EF) deciduous trees are often heavily infested by early spring leaf-eating Lepidoptera, while late-flushing (LF) trees are better protected in a phenological manner against such heavy infestations, as spring moth larvae begin to appear before their bud burst. The associational effects of EF trees on LF ones are only poorly known. We studied whether or not the infestation of LF trees by spring Lepidoptera can be affected by EF ones if they grow in the immediate vicinity. We compared spring assemblages of leaf-eating larvae of Lepidoptera on LF Quercus cerris L. with those on EF Q. pubescens Willd. in several microhabitats in Slovakia, Central Europe. Larvae were collected from mature and young trees. Mature trees sampled were growing: (1) in a closed-canopy forest; (2) in small groups; or (3) as a lone tree. Forest and tree groups are both constituted by oak species. Tree groups and lone trees were 20–50 m distant from forest edges. Young trees were growing (1) under mature Q. pubescens trees in a forest or (2) as a lone tree within forest gaps or near the edges. In the closed-canopy forest where LF trees (Q. cerris) were surrounded by EF ones (Q. pubescens), the caterpillars on mature LF trees were in abundance, almost as on mature EF ones. The species composition of larval assemblages on the two oak species was similar. In contrast, on small groups and on lone trees, the lepidopteran larvae were significantly less abundant on LF trees than EF ones. In the case of young trees, the abundance of larvae and their composition assemblages on both oaks were comparable in the forest. In the open habitat, LF trees were less infested by larvae than EF ones and the assemblages of moth larvae differed between the two. Our results reveal the effect (associational susceptibility) of EF trees on LF ones when growing in a close vicinity. It means that the phenological protection of LF trees may not be sufficient if they grow close to or are surrounded by EF ones.

The circular design for a school in conditioned Quercus cerris hardwood glulam

<p class="Abstracttext-VITRUVIOCxSpFirst">The <em>Design for Sustainability</em> of building processes and products is closely connected to <em>Design for Adaptability</em>, to <em>Design for Disassembling</em> and <em>Design for Recycling</em>, in a global perspective of <em>Circular Economy</em> that has at his centre the enhancement of renewable resources in specific environmental contexts, economic, social and cultural. This contribution is part of a research aimed at validating experiences already made in the direction of pre-competitive development, also with the purpose of patenting process and products, with a <em>Cerro Lucano supply chain</em> that could constitute an important environmental protection factor, for social equity and economic development. In a series of previous researches, the application of this new material was hypothesized both in the field of conservation and refurbishment of building heritage, and for new ways of designing new buildings, even of considerable height. In this contribution it refers to its application to the design of a new nZEB school complex in Rionero in Vulture (Potenza), according to the principles of circular design.</p>

Rediscovery of Cerroneuroterus apenninus (Trotter, 1923) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) a valid species from Italy with description and neotype designation

Neuroterus apenninus Trotter, 1923 associated with a Cerris section oak, Quercus cerris L., was rediscovered in Italy in 2017. Alessandro Trotter (1903) described a leaf gall collected on Q. cerris from the Italian Apennines; he did not obtain the gall inductor and ascribed the galls to the genus Neuroterus, based on morphological similarity with other Neuroterus galls. We have found the same gall and obtained the gall inducer. Detailed study of morphological characters of adults revealed that the species belongs to the genus Cerroneuroterus Melika & Pujade-Villar, 2010. The asexual generation of Cerroneuroterus apenninus comb. n. is described for the first time, a neotype is designated, and a diagnosis, host associations and biological notes are given; an identification key to the Western Palaearctic Cerroneuroterus species is provided.

Mixed mesophilic mountain beech forest (Fagetum submontanum serbicum) on the Vidlič Mountain

On the Vidlič mountain, mixed mesophilic mountain beech forests (Fagetum submontanum serbicum) have been recorded at altitudes of 700 - 1000 m, at the following localities: Crni vrh, Vazganica, Kranjci, Planinarski dom, and Visočka Ržana. Phytocenological research was performed on the mentioned localities by the Braun-Blanquet method (Braun-Blanquet, 1964). It was taken 11 phytocenological plots. Beech (Fagus moesiaca) and turkey oak cer (Quercus cerris) were the main edificators and have the highest degree of presence in the examined phytocenoses on the tree floor. In the floor of shrubs, the following species: Viburnum lantana, Crataegus monogyna, Rosa canina, Daphne mezereum, Clematis vitalba, and Ligustrum vulgare have been noticed with the highest degree of presence. Acer campestre has been dominated with the highest degree from the shoots of trees. In the floor of herbaceous plants, the species: Viola alba, Cruciata glabra, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Helleborus odorus, Fragaria vesca were with the highest degree of presence.

Two new species of oak gall wasps from Turkey (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini)

Two new species of oak gall wasps, Cynips izzetbaysali sp. nov. and Callirhytis afion sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) are described from Turkey. The new Cynips species is known only from asexual females and induces detachable leaf galls on Quercus infectoria. The sexual generation of the new Callirhytis species is known to induce acorn galls on Quercus cerris. Data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the two new species are given.