First record of Hydroptila ivisa Malicky, 1972 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) from the Ecoregion 6, Hellenic Western Balkans

Abstract

Adult caddisfly specimens were collected from the Karadak Mountain in Kosovo along the border area with the Republic of North Macedonia during June 2020. Seven species belonging to seven caddisfly families were found. From this area, we report Hydroptila ivisa Malicky, 1972 for the first time for Kosovo and the Ecoregion 6, Hellenic Western Balkans. Range extension for Synagapetus slavorum Botosaneanu, 1960, Hydropsyche emarginata Navàs, 1923 and Polycentropus slovenica Malicky, 1998 is also reported. These findings increase the knowledge on the distribution and diversity of several rare species of caddisflies and especially of the new finding, H. ivisa in the Western Balkans and highlight the importance of further studies and conservation efforts for freshwater biodiversity in this region.