Abstract Wild bees play a vital role as pollinators in ecosystems, yet their existence is increasingly threatened amidst ongoing biodiversity declines driven by land use change. This study examined how wild bee functional traits relate to landscape composition in urban and agricultural settings across Central Europe (Czechia), aiming to understand how these traits influence patterns of abundance and occurrence. Eighteen functional groups were defined based on ecological traits related to foraging and nesting behaviours, and multivariate species distribution models were applied to analyse their associations with different land use variables. Our results showed that functional groups exhibit distinct and complex responses to landscape composition, often differing in how they respond to environmental change, even among groups with similar trait profiles. These findings underscore that the relationship between traits and the environment cannot be generalised across functional groups and that interpreting wild bee community patterns requires integrating multiple ecological dimensions such as nesting type, diet breadth, sociality and seasonality. The study highlights the need for conservation strategies that are tailored to functional diversity and landscape context, as efforts that support one group may not benefit others, and may even be counterproductive. Promoting diverse functional communities is essential for sustaining pollination services and ecosystem resilience under environmental change.

Abstract Recently diverged species often exhibit incomplete reproductive barriers, leading to potential hybridisation where their ranges overlap. Distinguishing the effects of past hybridisation and incomplete lineage sorting from contemporary secondary gene flow in species evolution remains challenging, yet it is critical in conservation biology. To investigate species boundaries and the diversification history of six closely related Coenonympha butterflies, we analysed their genomic diversity using ddRADseq data from 140 individuals sampled in two broad geographical regions (the Alps and the Southern Urals) where species distributions overlap. We tested for hybridisation amongst species and contrasted various divergence scenarios, incorporating gene flow and hybrid speciation. In addition to the known gene flow history between the pearly heath C. arcania and the alpine heath C. gardetta, which led to the formation of two currently allopatric hybrid species (C. darwiniana and C. cephalidarwinia) in the Alps, we identified signatures of post‐speciation gene flow between C. arcania and both the Russian heath C. leander and the scarce heath C. hero at a period of increased amplitude of the Pleistocene climatic oscillations, around 800,000 years ago. Amongst these species, the least genetically diverse is C. hero, which is the only species protected by a high conservation status. Our findings reveal widespread secondary gene flow within this butterfly group, yet the six species remain well‐differentiated genetically and morphologically, even in regions where their distributions overlap, suggesting ancient rather than current gene flow. This highlights the need for broadscale studies to better understand the biogeographical and ecological context of species diversification.

Abstract Butterflies serve as valuable bioindicators for assessing ecosystem health because of their sensitivity to habitat changes, rapid life cycles and extensive mobility. University campuses are becoming major butterfly refuges, but their role in butterfly diversity and conservation is understudied. In the biodiverse northeastern area of India, the Assam down town university campus is important for faunal studies. Despite its ecological importance, butterfly diversity and spatial distribution in scenic and roadside environments are unknown. We investigated butterfly species richness, assemblage composition and diversity through structured sampling using the purposive point count approach across several seasons. Despite small campus area, 2295 butterflies from 101 species in all six families were observed from August 2023 to July 2024, with Nymphalidae and Riodinidae having the most and least number of species and individuals. Butterfly abundance, species richness and diversity were higher in the dry season in both habitats. Two species were on the IUCN Red List and six were threatened under India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972's Schedules I, II and IV. This study documents butterfly diversity in rural–urban settings around university campuses for the first time, showing seasonal fluctuations and species richness. Finally, we conclude that tropical and subtropical university campuses can serve as biodiversity refugia in urban environments by maintaining green spaces, cultivating native flora, preserving air quality and using organic management approaches.

Abstract Habitat fragmentation due to urbanization is known to impact bees, the main group of pollinators. However, we still do not know the effects on stingless bees (Meliponini), the most diverse eusocial bees with high recruiting and pollinating capabilities. To fill this gap, we studied the occurrence of the key species Melipona quadrifasciata in a large metropolis in Brazil. We used a comprehensive sampling involving local and landscape variables. The first was composed of (1) degree of disturbance, (2) fragment size, and various fieldwork‐based phytosociological data, such as (3) tree richness, (4) tree abundance, (5) tree density, and (6) canopy height. Landscape variables included the degrees of (7) urbanization in the fragment surroundings and (8) isolation from other fragments. We found that bees occurred in only 54.54% of the sampled fragments, indicating that stingless bees with presumably widespread distribution may become locally extinct. Places where the species occurs have local and landscape characteristics distinctive from those where it is absent. Fragment area and indicators of good forest vegetation structure, including tree abundance, tree density, and tree richness, were correlated to each other and determined the occurrence of the species since they are more likely to provide nesting places in old trees and floral resources. On the other hand, indicators of poor habitat quality, including within‐fragment disturbance and urbanization, were correlated to each other and determined the absence of bees. These results suggest that both local and landscape factors associated with habitat availability and quality determine the persistence of stingless bees across fragments. Since variables of presence and absence formed correlation modules, they can be collectively used as indicators of habitat suitability in urban conservation and management strategies aiming to sustain these important key pollinators and the essential ecosystem services they provide.

Abstract The Mahoenui giant wētā (MGW), Deinacrida mahoenui (Insecta: Orthoptera), is an Aotearoa New Zealand endemic insect of conservation concern. Conservation management of this species includes a history of translocation to reduce extinction risk. However, translocations can create artificial bottlenecks which may reduce the genetic diversity of the translocated population, limiting their ability to adapt to future environmental change. We now have the opportunity to use genetic tools to assess the impacts of past translocations and use these to optimise current translocation approaches and develop methods for monitoring genetic diversity and future maintenance of diversity. Using a genotyping‐by‐sequencing approach, we found low levels of differentiation and population structuring between the source and one reintroduced population, and similar relatively low levels of genetic diversity in both populations. Informed by these results, we recommend that these populations be managed as a single unit by continuing with regular translocations creating gene flow to maintain genetic diversity.

Abstract Tree hollows are keystone structures for biodiversity in forest ecosystems, promoting diverse saproxylic communities. However, intensive forest management in central Europe has made them rare. Consequently, saproxylic arthropods inhabiting tree hollows are among the most endangered invertebrates. Most studies on arthropod diversity in tree hollows have focused on beetles. To understand this complex habitat, non‐beetle arthropod groups and their habitat requirements must also be investigated. We collected arthropods emerging from 40 tree hollows in beech trees in 2014 and a subset of 23 in 2015 in a managed forest in southern Germany using emergence traps. DNA metabarcoding identified non‐beetle arthropods, assessing the influence of tree hollow parameters and forest structure on α‐ and β‐diversity of the most species‐rich taxa. Parameters influencing α‐ and β‐diversity differed by year and taxa. The most important factors positively affecting α‐diversity were tree hollow volume, tree circumference and entrance area/lateral surface, while entrance area and decomposition negatively affected α‐diversity. Beta‐diversity was influenced by tree circumference, tree hollow volume, entrance area and forest structure (dipterans: dead wood amount, spiders: nearby tree hollows). These results highlight the importance of heterogeneous tree hollows and forest structures, emphasising the need for their conservation to support highly diverse saproxylic communities.

Abstract Mowing is a commonly used and necessary practice in the management of urban meadowscapes. However, mowing is also a source of mortality for insects in these meadowscapes. In this study, we examined how changes in mowing intensity for mows performed in late fall affect overwintering stem‐dwelling insects. We define mowing intensity as the size of thatch produced by the selected mowing equipment and blade positioning. We also generate more information on the spatial structure of the stem‐dwelling insect community in these urban meadowscapes, both within individual stems and within the broader habitat. We artificially simulated different levels of mowing intensity on the stem‐dwelling insects of Solidago altissima L. (Asterales: Asteraceae) by cutting stems to different lengths and recorded their survival and mortality outcomes. We found that a low intensity mowing treatment yielded lower mortality rates than a no‐mow control and a high intensity mowing treatment. We also found that stem‐dwelling insects are distributed in a non‐random arrangement vertically within stems of Solidago altissima and in the broader urban meadowscape. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the effects of changing mowing parameters on the insect community when designing management practices for urban meadowscapes. We also identify some new gaps in our understanding of stem‐dwelling insects and how they may interact with disturbances.

Abstract The nesting ecology of wild bumble bees is not well resolved, but information learned from discovered nests can be of great conservation value. Data collected at nests on foraging patterns, caste‐specific behaviour and health (e.g., pathogens) are invaluable for understanding bumble bee behaviour and ecology, but difficult to decipher solely from foraging observations away from the nest. Post‐senescence nest excavation allows the estimation of colony size, caste numbers, documents pest incidence and provides opportunities to examine nest material for stressors (e.g., pesticides) and to use nest material for training purposes (e.g., conservation dogs). Wild nests are often found opportunistically, and there is an absence of standardised guidance on data collection. We provide an action plan to ensure the data collection is comparable across studies. This framework includes key conservation questions and methodological guidelines for both for in situ and post‐season nest data collection and is ordered by increasing complexity of data collection methods. To illustrate our framework, we provide an example with recently discovered Bombus affinis (rusty patched bumble bee) nests. Through observations at B. affinis nests, we discovered novel patterns of activity, changing activity levels over time, the timing of male and gyne production, variable timing in nest senescence, and associations of nests with past rodent activity. Although individual nest discoveries may be of limited value in forwarding conservation strategies, the aggregate collections of many similar datasets can be of critical importance for species of conservation concern.

Abstract As anthropogenic pressures continue to increase, generalist species tend to be more resilient than specialised species. Specialisation can take various forms, among else dependence on other species through biotic interactions. Some Lycaenid butterflies (gossamer‐winged butterflies: blues, coppers and hairstreaks; Lycaenidae Leach, 1815)) rely on host ants for larval care and survival (myrmecophily). This dependence may pose an additional threat. To investigate whether myrmecophily is associated with the long‐term trends of Lycaenids, we compared 40‐year occupancy trends derived from occupancy‐detection models of ant‐independent, facultative and obligate myrmecophile Lycaenidae in a central European model region. Contrary to our expectations, obligate myrmecophile butterflies did not show more declines compared to ant‐independent ones. Five out of seven obligate myrmecophile butterflies increased, while five out of eight ant‐independent Lycaenids decreased. Trends among facultative butterflies were highly ambiguous. The differences between the groups were not significant. Although obligate myrmecophile butterflies are protected significantly more often under stricter rules, the degree of protection did not affect Lycaenid long‐term trends. European obligate myrmecophile butterflies interact with several ant species within widespread genera (primarily Myrmica Latreille, 1804, also Formica Linnaeus, 1758 and Lasius Fabricius, 1804) potentially protecting the larvae against environmental impacts and thus mitigating the effects of changing conditions on the butterflies. Incomplete understanding of the varying degrees of ant affiliation hinders the identification of specific interactions that may require increased conservation efforts. In our rapidly changing world, monitoring changes in the opportunities and strengths of species interactions is needed to prevent coupled species' extinctions and improve conservation outcomes.