Organisms provide some of the most sensitive indicators of climate change and evolutionary responses are becoming apparent in species with short generation times. Large datasets on genetic polymorphism that can provide an historical benchmark against which to test for recent evolutionary responses are very rare, but an exception is found in the brown-lipped banded snail (Cepaea nemoralis). This species is sensitive to its thermal environment and exhibits several polymorphisms of shell colour and banding pattern affecting shell albedo in the majority of populations within its native range in Europe. We tested for evolutionary changes in shell albedo that might have been driven by the warming of the climate in Europe over the last half century by compiling an historical dataset for 6,515 native populations of C. nemoralis and comparing this with new data on nearly 3,000 populations. The new data were sampled mainly in 2009 through the Evolution MegaLab, a citizen science project that engaged thousands of volunteers in 15 countries throughout Europe in the biggest such exercise ever undertaken. A known geographic cline in the frequency of the colour phenotype with the highest albedo (yellow) was shown to have persisted and a difference in colour frequency between woodland and more open habitats was confirmed, but there was no general increase in the frequency of yellow shells. This may have been because snails adapted to a warming climate through behavioural thermoregulation. By contrast, we detected an unexpected decrease in the frequency of Unbanded shells and an increase in the Mid-banded morph. Neither of these evolutionary changes appears to be a direct response to climate change, indicating that the influence of other selective agents, possibly related to changing predation pressure and habitat change with effects on micro-climate.

In recent years, a new alien species, Rhagoletis batava, a potentially important pest of the cultivated sea buckthorn, has been observed in Belarus, Latvia and Lithuania. In Lithuania, the distribution of fruit-feeding tephritid flies was insufficiently studied and more comprehensive studies were needed. The aim of this study was to obtain new data on the fruit fly distribution in the north-eastern part of Lithuania, with the focus on Rhagoletis batava, a newly arrived species in the Baltic countries. The flies were observed on their host plants in parks, greeneries and plantations in north-eastern Lithuania during a two-day period in August 2013. In total, three species of fruit-feeding flies were recorded: Anomoia purmunda, Rhagoletis alternata and Rhagoletis batava; A. purmunda was the most widespread. During the data collection, the alien species black locust gall midge, Obolodiplosis robiniae was also observed. O. robiniae is a new species for Lithuania and its only known host plant is Robinia pseudacacia. O. robiniae galls were found on R. pseudacacia in parks of the four small towns – Rozalimas, Naujamiestis, Utena and in Užpaliai.

The production of Ribes (Rosaceae) in temperate regions in Europe, Asia and New Zealand is severely constrained by damages of Cecidophyopsis mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) and blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV) (Nepovirus, Secoviridae). The infestation of Ribes plants with Cecidophyopsis mites and BRV infection is a complex tripartite system. This paper reviews scientific progress and knowledge gaps on the Cecidophyopsis‐BRV‐Ribes complex emphasising Cecidophyopsis mites as a pest and natural vector of BRV, BRV as a pathogen, and Ribes as a host plant with horticultural significance. Cecidophyopsis species occurring on Ribes, their host range, geographic distribution and the role in BRV transmission is reviewed. Blackcurrant reversion disease symptoms and BRV hosts are analysed. Resistance of Ribes to Cecidophyopsis and BRV, and resistance breeding aspects are discussed. Discrepancies in research data, controversies and problems are highlighted, and further research is suggested to clarify some of the controversial aspects.

New data on 10 Tephritoidea flies – Acidia cognata, Anomoia purmunda, Ceroxys urticae, Euleia heraclei, Philophylla caesio, Rhagoletis alternata, R. batava, R. cerasi, R. meigenii and Urophora cardui – and their distribution in Latvia are presented. The study material (flies) was collected in the period 2009–2013. R. meigenii was confirmed for Latvia 74 years after it was first recorded therein. A. purmunda is the most abundant species and Acidia cognata is reported for the first time. R. batava is an alien species that has arrived in Latvia only in recent years. R. batava is a serious pest of seabuckthorns.

We report on the snail fauna from one of the oldest cemeteries from Riga city (Latvia), viz. Lielie kapi and Pokrova kapi. A list of all the snail species recorded from both cemeteries and limited information on the biotope conditions are given. Cecilioides acicula (O.F. Müller, 1774) is first recorded from Latvia and was found at a grassland within the tomb area of the Pokrova kapi cemetery.