The tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata), originating from South America, was designated as an ecosystem-disturbing species in 2023 due to its negative impact on ecosystem balance.In 2022, it was first identified near Gamman Port, Busan, South Korea.A single nest was eradicated using both physical and chemical methods, and no additional colonies were detected during post-eradication monitoring following the installation of bait traps.However, given the proximity of the nest site to a major port, the potential for further introductions remains a concern.Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure early detection of this invasive species.The species has been successfully eradicated from the port, highlighting the importance of sustained surveillance and the need for rapid response to prevent potential reintroductions.

The first occurrence of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in Atlantic Canada is reported.The single specimen, an adult male of 430 mm total length, was taken on 7 June 2023, by commercial gaspereau fishers in Grand Lake, New Brunswick.Grand Lake drains through the Wolastoq (Saint John) River, which stretches about 800 km from its headwaters in Maine (USA) to the Bay of Fundy.Although studies of the invasive potential of the channel catfish seem to be limited, where non-native and established, the species is often considered problematic.Grand Lake supports a relatively diverse native fish fauna, as well as a variety of native aquatic species of conservation concern.Whether the single channel catfish collected to date is representative of an established population is unknown, but the introduction is believed to be the result of an intentional, unsanctioned, effort to establish a recreational fishery for the species in Grand Lake.

A non-native planarian of the family Dendrocoelidae, provisionally assigned following previous literature reports to the Ponto-Caspian species Dendrocoelum romanodanubiale and recorded here as D. cf.romanodanubiale, has been recorded for the first time in Great Britain.From January 2022 to July 2023 a total of 21 specimens were found at 12 locations on the River Thames.The stretch concerned runs for approximately 36 km, from Sunnymeads in Berkshire to immediately downstream of the tidal limit at Teddington Weir in Greater London.Two exemplar specimens were used for nanopore sequencing of nearly full-length 18S and 28S rDNA amplicons.These sequences, representing the first molecular data obtained for this invasive species, confirm the status of the specimens as sister-group to the congener Dendrocoelum lacteum.Further research is required to confirm the taxonomic status of this invasive species using histological sectioning, and to characterise the nature of the invasion using population genetic markers.

Invasive species are considered one of the major factors of extinction and loss of biodiversity worldwide, with freshwater ecosystems being particularly vulnerable.The highly invasive and emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has led to large-scale declines and extinctions of amphibian populations.Bd was detected in Norway from environmental DNA (eDNA) samples in 2017 in five ponds with smooth (Lissotriton vulgaris) and crested newts (Triturus cristatus).A subsequent eDNA survey of over 100 ponds documented Bd at six more locations, including ponds with common toad (Bufo bufo) and common frog (Rana temporaria).By collecting swab samples from smooth newts, crested newts, common toad and common frog, we investigated the prevalence of Bd on amphibians from 16 locations.Additionally, we collected swabs or bath water from another 28 amphibian ponds.A subset of Bd positive samples were also screened with the Bd global panzootic linage (Bd-GPL) qPCR.We detected Bd from a total of 23 of the 44 screened locations where our results showed low to high prevalence of Bd in smooth newts, crested newts and common toad populations.We also confirm the presence of the Bd-GPL variant in Norway.These results demonstrate that Bd is more widespread in Norway and that a higher percentage of populations are infected with Bd, than previously documented.No mass mortalities of amphibians have been observed in Norway, and it is uncertain if Bd has an impact on Norwegian amphibian populations.

There is growing concern over the invasion of exotic insects into Europe, mostly due to global trade and warming.In September 2023 and 2024, fruit fly sampling was conducted in two orchard compost heaps in Poland (dzkie Voivodeship).The collected flies were subjected to molecular and morphological analysis, which has confirmed the occurrence of an Asian drosophilid species in Poland, Drosophila triauraria Bock & Wheeler, 1972 which belongs to the Drosophila auraria complex within the much larger Drosophila montium group.Drosophila triauraria or other species from the montium group had not been previously reported from Europe.Since we repeatedly caught individuals in the same locations over two consecutive seasons, the D. triauraria population is likely to be established in these sites in the future.

Invasive plants represent a significant global threat to native biodiversity, early detection being a crucial step in limiting their spread.Solanum elaeagnifolium, an alien species known for its invasive potential, has established itself on all continents except Antarctica.In this study, we report the presence of S. elaeagnifolium in Romania for the first time, observed in two distinct regions: Dobrogea (Poarta Alb locality, Constana County) in August 2011 and Oltenia (Drgneti-Olt locality, Olt County) in September 2024.These findings expand the European distribution of the species, now recorded in 24 countries, primarily in southern and Mediterranean regions, with isolated records also in northern Europe.A comparative morphological evaluation revealed phenotypic variability between the two populations in Romania, including differences in stem branching, spine density, leaf shape, and fruit characteristics, highlighting the adaptive plasticity of the species to local ecological factors.Field surveys further assessed population and habitat characteristics.Both sites are situated near Natura 2000 protected areas, raising concerns about the species'potential to invade sensitive habitats if no action is taken.

The American pokeweed Phytolacca americana L. is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America.The species is grown in Poland as an ornamental plant, but in recent years there have been increasing reports of its occurrence outside of cultivation.In 2023, in the Niemodlin Forest in southern Poland, a population of P. americana occupying several dozen hectares was found.The aim of the study was therefore to collect data on the conditions of the occurrence of this species, along with developing a projection regarding its further spread in the neighbouring areas.Field research was carried out in 2023 and 2024, collecting data on the distribution of P. americana, the size of its local populations, selected features of individuals and species composition in patches developing under different habitat conditions.A forecast for the further spread of the species was created using the Maxent algorithm in the form of a standalone Java application using the most important variables.The presented paper is the first report from Poland describing such a large P. americana site.The area in forest divisions in which patches containing individuals of the species were recorded is estimated at approximately 316.7 ha.The confirmed ability of P. americana to survive in habitats that vary greatly in moisture content or fertility in the Niemodlin Forest, and the results of predicting its potential spread, indicate that further range extension of the species should be expected.Considering the experience of other countries, we recommend urgent actions to limit the population size, monitor the spread of the species and take rapid responses in the case of newly discovered localities.We recommend at the same time efforts to raise awareness among institutions and experts involved in nature conservation and other local societies and attempts to stop the offering of the species for cultivation.

This study documents a new introduction of Ameiurus melas in Lithuania, discovered within two lentic waterbodies in the summer of 2024.Specimens of A. melas were found at high densities, raising many questions about their potential impacts in the shallow, eutrophic waterbodies in which they were found.Using molecular and morphological identification, the identity of A. melas was confirmed from both waterbodies.The abundance and age structure of A. melas were evaluated and their potential introduction pathways are discussed.An initial parasitological survey revealed that the newcomer co-introduced a monogenean species of North American origin, Ligictaluridus pricei.The study also found that A. melas could facilitate the transmission of local trematodes of the genus Diplostomum in Lithuanian freshwater ecosystems.

Three new non-native bumblebee species, Bombus hortorum, Bombus hypnorum and Bombus terrestris, have been recorded on the Faroe Islands for the first time.Previous literature reported only the presence of Bombus lapponicus, Bombus lucorum and Bombus pratorum.A combination of records from 2007 to 2024 have been utilised to explore and update the distributions of each species of bumblebee now present.Whilst B. lucorum has continuously spread through most of the islands, B. pratorum, B. hortorum and B. hypnorum have remained localised with limited range increase.The confirmation of an individual B. terrestris is discussed with respect to misidentifications.B. lapponicus is considered no longer present on the islands.These updated distributions provide initial data to understand the ongoing colonisation of these bumblebee species, the potential for further establishments or range expansions, and will help to determine their invasive potential in the future.

Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte (Asteraceae) is a rhizomatous perennial plant species that is native to East Asia (China).We assessed the occurrence and agricultural impact of A. verlotiorum in Austria based on a literature and database search and an on-site survey in a study region near Innsbruck (Tyrol).Artemisia verlotiorum is not yet widespread in fields in Austria, but there are local hotspots where the species occurs in populations of substantial size.Floristic relevs from the study region demonstrate that the species infests different crop types, such as vegetables, maize and potatoes.It was mainly found at the field edges at low densities (> 80% of infested fields).However, several fields were heavily infested, and it is likely that the species is causing yield losses there.Further spread of A. verlotiorum is expected.Therefore, farmers should be made aware of the species and appropriate measures for its control should be taken at an early stage.