Israel Journal of Entomology

Hybrid mahogany as a new larval host plant of Anthene emolus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), with ant attendance and notes on immature development

Sourabh Biswas — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hybrid mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King × S. mahogany (L.) Jacq.) (Meliaceae) is reported as a new larval host of Anthene emolus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Larvae of A. emolus were observed feeding on young leaves on a hybrid mahogany tree in a peri-urban site in West Bengal, with workers of the Asian weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) attending the larvae along active foraging trails.

To cite: Biswas, S. 2026. Hybrid mahogany as a new larval host plant of Anthene emolus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), with ant attendance and notes on immature development. Israel Journal of Entomology 55: 13–16. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18729483
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EF3B1A3B-EC87-49AE-841F-365859B953ED

A new species of Gnamptodon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Telengaiinae) from Israel

Gideon Pisanty, Norah Saabna, Tamar Keasar — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A new species of parasitoid wasp, Gnamptodon avigail Pisanty sp. n. (Braconidae: Telengaiinae), is described from northern Israel, its distribution presumably extending south to Saudi Arabia based on genetic barcodes and photographs. The species is associated with Christ’s thorn jujube, Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (Rhamnaceae), a drought-tolerant tree, and most likely attacks nepticulid leaf-mining moths feeding on the tree’s foliage. This is the first species of subfamily Telengaiinae to be reported from the region of the Levant.

To cite: Pisanty, G., Saabna, N. & Keasar, T. 2026. A new species of Gnamptodon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Telengaiinae) from Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 55: 17–25.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18927667
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FC78D007-1DB4-40F7-9967-ED132D0C4923

Redescription of Anthrenus (Florilinus) flavidus and Anthrenus (Florilinus) sveci (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae)

Graham J. Holloway, Andreas Herrmann — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Descriptions of many Dermestidae species are brief or lack images facilitating their identification or differentiation for the purpose of taxonomy. In the current study, two Anthrenus (Florilinus) species—A. (F.) sveci Háva, 2004 and A. (F.) flavidus Solsky, 1876—are considered, both from the Eastern Mediterranean region and both coated in pale scales. The external and internal features of both species are illustrated.

To cite: Holloway, G.J. & Herrmann, A. 2026. Redescription of Anthrenus (Florilinus) flavidus and Anthrenus (Florilinus) sveci (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae). Israel Journal of Entomology 55: 27–35. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19152507
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7506A4BA-17FE-4CB9-A75F-828C17DCD612

The governance of urban pest management in Israel

Yechezkel Trablsi — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Invasive and sanitary pests such as fire ants, Formosan subterranean termites and virus-carrying mosquitoes pose increasing economic and health hazards in urban environments in Israel. Licensed urban pest management specialists are the country’s first line of defense, and this article aims to delineate historical and current trends in their numbers and training. In 2016, following a tragedy due to pesticide misuse, licensing of new specialists was improved by adoption of a new law in 2020, which introduced new regulations. Drawing on government reports, data accepted directly from the governmental sources and Ministry of Environmental Protection newsletters (2016–2025), I have tracked the size of the certified workforce and placed the primary emphasis on the pass rates of licensing examinations rather than on training programs, since the law passed and the regulation came into effect. Despite rapid population growth, urban expansion and rising pest pressure, the number of licensed urban pest management specialists has stalled or declined, and their pass rates are inconsistent with increasing demands. This mismatch between the ecological rationale, public health needs and professional capacity is complicated by fragmented, often contradictory, information regarding the available workforce. This report underscores the urgency of strengthening of the training, licensing and oversight systems to sustain Israel’s ability to respond effectively to pest outbreaks and pest-borne hazards.

To cite: Trablsi, Y. 2026. The governance of urban pest management in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 55: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18365577
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8629D1E5-6CD3-4478-8576-96330E7F2C33