New distributional records of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from Kosovo with the first record of Hydroptila vectis Curtis, 1834

Abstract

In this study, we report the first recorded occurrence of Hydroptila vectis Curtis, 1834 in Kosovo. The species was identified as part of recent investigations aimed at documenting caddisfly diversity across various freshwater habitats in Kosovo. Sampling efforts, carried out in June and August 2023, focused on two sampling sites located in the Drenica and Mirusha rivers. Adult caddisflies were collected using entomological nets and ultraviolet light traps. Rarely reported from the Balkan Peninsula, finding of H. vectis marks a significant addition to the caddisfly fauna of Kosovo and extends the species’ known distribution in the Southeastern Europe.
A list of caddisfly species collected at both sites is also given, including several rarely encountered species. The study adds value and underscores the necessity of ongoing monitoring and research into the caddisfly communities inhabiting Kosovo’s freshwater ecosystems.