Population trends of passage and wintering barn swallows (Hirundo Rustica) in Peninsular Malaysia

In Peninsular Malaysia, passage and wintering Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) often congregate at nocturnal roosts in towns. As a Holarctic migratory species, it is at risk of population collapse. Despite extensive research, little is known about this species in its wintering grounds, especially in the tropics. This study aimed to determine how climate change influences the population growth of this species across a geographical area over a decade, from 2009 to 2019. A species distribution model was constructed using data obtained from the eBird database – a citizen science project – of records from diverse locations. We used the Kernel Density tool in ArcGIS to describe Barn Swallow density and expansion pattern across Peninsular Malaysia. We demonstrate that the Barn Swallow’s population has fallen by about 27.1% over the last decade. In 2009, the species was dispersed in two distinct areas: Perlis to Pulau Pinang; and the Pahang region bordering Selangor and Negeri Sembilan; in addition, some individuals chose to winter in south-eastern Johor. Within ten years, the flock has descended from Perlis to the northwest corner of Perak, while the vast wintering area in Pahang has decreased and stretched down to Melaka and Johor. The differences in Barn Swallow numbers and distribution patterns observed in this study could be a result of climate and land use changes which have caused this species to spread to parts of other wintering regions, altering the arrival and departure times of migration, thereby interfering with its breeding season.

On the Biological Regulators of Bloodsucking Blackflies(Diptera:Simuliidae) of Mixed Forests of Belorussian and Ukrainian Woodlands

This article considers the natural regulators of blood-sucking Simuliidae subzone of mixed forests on the territory of Belarus and Ukraine. In the mixed forests, the major regulators of preimaginal phases of bloodsucking blackflies are microsporidia (Polidyspirenia simulii, Polidyspirenia sp., Thelohania fibrata, Amblyospora bracteata, A. varians), fungi and mermithides (Gastromermis boophthorae). Caddisfly larvae (Hydropsyche angustipennis, Neureclipsis bimaculata, Polycentropus flavomaculatus, Cyrnus flavidus, Oligostomis reticulata, Brachycentrus subnubilus and Rhyacophila nubila) and fishes (Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Rutilus rutilus, Carassius carassius, Gobio gobio) significantly reduce the number of blackflies larvae and pupae. Adult blackflies are eaten by spiders (Araneus diadematus) dragonflies, robberflies, wasps, frogs (Rana temporaria and Rana terrestris), and insectivorous birds (Delichon urbicum, Hirundo rustica, Apus apus). Bactolarvicid and BLP-2477 are among the most effective biological products.

Evidencia de puestas múltiples para la Golondrina Tijerita (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster, Passeriformes: Hirundinidae) en el centro de Argentina

La Golodrina Tijerita (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) es una migrante de amplia distribución en el continente americano, nidifica en el Hemisferio Norte y, desde 1980, en el Hemisferio Sur. El tamaño promedio de puesta es entre cuatro y cinco huevos. En el presente estudio reportamos puestas inusuales en nidos de la especie en el centro de Argentina, asimismo realizamos una revisión bibliográfica de los trabajos de biología reproductiva donde describan puestas de huevos de la especie y analizamos las posibles causas de dichas puestas excepcionales. El estudio se realizó durante la temporada reproductiva 2016/17, en cercanías de la ciudad de Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. Nuestros resultados muestran el primer registro de puestas de 10 y 9 huevos para América del Sur y el segundo a nivel global para la especie. Si bien no se monitoreó el desarrollo de los huevos del nido, ambas indicaron que se trataban de puestas múltiples.

Correction to: Experimental tail shortening affects feeding rate depending on original tail length in female barn swallows Hirundo rustica gutturalis

The original article can be found online.