Research of Diptera in temperate forests has demonstrated uneven vertical distributions of insects. In this study, we examined the vertical distribution, seasonal fluctuations, and species diversity of Drosophilidae species in the Mordovia State Reserve. This research marks the first exploration of drosophilid vertical stratification in the European part of Russia. Using traps, we collected flies in four deciduous forest sites between early June and mid-September in 2020. A total of 27,151 individuals from 10 genera and 34 drosophilid species were identified, with 6 species from 4 genera being new to the Republic of Mordovia. Drosophila obscura Fll. and Scaptodrosophila rufifrons Lw. were the most abundant species in traps. The total highest number of drosophilid flies (10,429 individuals) was captured at a height of 1.5 m, while the lowest number (5086 individuals) was recorded at 12 m. The average number of flies was 6240 and 5387 individuals at heights of 7.5 m and 3.5 m, respectively. However, the prevalence of drosophilid numbers at the 1.5-m height was not constant during the season. We found that in the second part of July the total fly counts at heights of 7.5 m and 12 m exceeded those at 1.5 m. We have described five different types of vertical distribution of drosophilids throughout the season, which differs markedly in mycetobionts and xylosaprobionts ecological groups. Species diversity demonstrated variations across different sites and tiers during the season, with peak diversity observed in June and September.

In order to study regional faunas, one or two methods of studying Coleoptera are often used. However, a comparison of several ways of studying shows that it is more expedient to use more than one of them. Six different methods of catching Coleoptera used in studies of the biodiversity of regional faunas were compared. This research employed pitfall traps (PfT), beer traps (BT), freely hanging flight intercept traps or window traps (FWT), Malaise traps (MT), pan traps (PT), and sweep net (SN). The goal was to assess the effectiveness of these methods in evaluating the biodiversity of this insect group. Studies were conducted from 2011 to 2017 and 2019 to 2023 in the Ryazan region (the central part of European Russia). A total of 27,892 specimens of Coleoptera (927 species from 64 families) were collected. Specifically, 17,659 specimens were collected using PfT (396 species from 36 families), 4971 specimens using BT (146 species from 30 families), 1014 specimens using FWT (221 species from 51 families), 109 specimens using MT (43 species from 16 families), 2220 specimens using PT (357 species from 42 families), and 1919 specimens using SN (265 species from 32 families). The maximum number of families was observed with FWT, while the minimum number of families was registered with MT. Interestingly, the highest number of rare species from both protected lists was obtained using BT and PfT. The Margalef index was higher for Coleoptera collections using PT and PfT, while the largest Shannon index values were recorded for samples using SN and PT. The Berger–Parker index was the highest for catches using BT, which was characterized by the highest dominance of one or more species. In our study, four species of Coleoptera were found that are included in the protected lists of the Russian Federation and 14 species of Coleoptera were listed in the protected species of the Ryazan region. Considering the results of this study, the Coleoptera fauna of the Ryazan region currently accounts for 1674 species.

The nature conservation depends on the completeness of the knowledge about the biodiversity in the study area. Today, data on distribution and diversity of Diptera taxa remain fragmentary. This paper supplements data on the diversity of Diptera species in Europe, Russia, and the Republic of Mordovia. We have studied 1321 specimens of 241 species collected in 2013–2022. Among them, there are species, which are new for Russia (Neoempheria brevilineata, Desmometopa discipalpis) and for both Russia and Europe (Nepphyllomyza flavescensis, Phyllomyza auriculatusa, P. luteipalpis, P. orbita, P. piceus, P. striolatum). We have found for the first time 231 Diptera species for the fauna of the Republic of Mordovia; the families of Bolitophilidae, Keroplatidae, Scatopsidae, Platypezidae, Micropezidae, Opomyzidae, Asteiidae, and Milichiidae have been found for the first time in this region. Anthrax incomptus (Bombyliidae), being previously reported for the Republic of Mordovia, has been excluded now from the fauna of this region. Nine Diptera species have been previously indicated for the Republic of Mordovia without reliable confirmation by collected specimens. In this study, we have confirmed their presence in the Republic of Mordovia. Taking into account the results of the present paper, the Diptera fauna of the Republic of Mordovia includes currently 1187 species belonging to 71 families. Data on collecting methods have been presented for the found species. We provide a comparison of collecting methods and suggestions for an effective inventory of the regional Diptera fauna. We are of the view that the number of the used collecting methods affects positively the results of the fauna inventory.

(1) Background: Seasonal dynamics of the abundance and species diversity of various insect groups is of great importance for understanding their life cycles; (2) Methods: In our study, Drosophilidae species and their seasonal changes in Mordovia State Nature Reserve were explored. We collected the flies by crown fermental traps in five types of forests (birch, aspen, linden, pine and oak) since May to October in 2019. (3) Results: A total of 4725 individuals belonging to 9 genera and 30 species of drosophilid flies were identified, among them 15 species in 3 genera are new to the Republic of Mordovia. Drosophila obscura and D. histrio were the most abundant species in traps, the other mass species are D. kuntzei, D. testacea, D. phalerata, S. rufifrons, D. bifasciata, A. semivirgo, and L. quinquemaculata. (4) Conclusions: We found three groups of mass species with significant correlation of seasonal dynamics, e.g., D.obscura and D. bifasciata; D. histrio, D. kuntzei, D. phalerata, and D. testacea, and, finally, A. semivirgo and S. rufifrons. Apparently, the similarity observed in the seasonal dynamics of these drosophilid species is influenced at a high degree by their food preferences and rearing sites.

(1) Background: The conservation of entomofauna in individual macroregions requires efforts to study the distribution and abundance of insects. For this purpose, databases are created that enumerate this information. Such databases, with the processing of significant factual material, make it possible to objectively assess the status of a species and, if necessary, take measures for its protection. The aim of the paper is to describe the modern Coleoptera fauna in nine regions of Russia on the basis of a recently published dataset. (2) Methods: We conducted our own studies in 1994, 1996, 1998–2003 and 2005–2022. The dataset also includes data from museum specimens from other years. We used a variety of methods, such as sifting through litter, searching under the bark of trees and stumps, trapping by light, soil traps, beer traps, window traps, etc. For each observation, the coordinates of the find, the number of individuals observed and the date were recorded. (3) Results: The dataset contains data on 1469 species and subspecies of Coleoptera from 85 families found in the Volga Region. In total, there are 31,433 samples and 9072 occurrences in the dataset. (4) Conclusions: The largest families in terms of species diversity are Curculionidae (202 species), Carabidae (145 species) and Chrysomelidae (142 species). There are 54 species of Coleoptera with a northern range boundary in the macroregion, two species with a southern range boundary and one species with an eastern range boundary. Twenty-one invasive Coleoptera species have been recorded in the macroregion.

A review of Eurasian fauna of Muscina is offered. In our opinion, after synonymization of the two species, Muscina pascuorum Meigen, 1826 = M. japonica Shinonaga, 1974, syn. nov. and Muscina levida Harris, 1780 = M. danubea Zielke, 2019, syn. nov., the Palaearctic fauna consists of six valid species. A detailed key for the Palaearctic Muscina is offered. New and the second European record of M. angustifrons in Mordovia is reported; the colour variability of this species is also discussed. The distribution of M. minor is clarified with the first record for Europe. Indonesian M. sumatrensis and doubtful specimens collected in Northern Vietnam are briefly discussed. New data on the habits of Muscina based on collecting by beer traps are reported. Дан обзор евразийской фауны Muscina. По нашему мнению, после сведения в синонимы двух видов, Muscina pascuorum Meigen, 1826 = M. japonica Shinonaga, 1974, syn. nov. и Muscina levida Harris, 1780 = M. danubea Zielke, 2019, syn. nov., палеарктическая фауна Muscina представлена шестью валидными видами. Предложен подробный ключ для палеарстических Muscina. M. angustifrons во второй раз отмечена в Европе, в Мордовии; обсуждена цветовая изменчивость этого вида. Прояснено распространение M. minor, вид впервые отмечен в Европе. Кратко обсуждены описанная из Индонезии M. sumatrensis и сомнительные экземпляры, пойманные в северном Вьетнаме. Приведены полученные при сборе насекомых в пивные ловушки новые данные по биологии Muscina.