Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Epoicocladius flavens (Malloch, 1915) (Diptera: Chironomidae): A New Record from the Republic of North Macedonia

Biljana Rimcheska1,2,* & Yanka Vidinova1

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*1Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: rimceska@gmail.com, vidinova@yahoo.com
2University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1st of May BB. Blvd., 7000 Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia; E-mail: rimceska@gmail.com, biljana_rimcheska@uklo.edu.mk

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.1.003006

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Abstract

The aim of the study is to report new country records of the symphoretic midge Epoicocladius flavens (Malloch, 1915) on its mayfly host Ephemera danica Müller, 1764 (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae). Sampling was conducted during spring 2022, in the upper section of the watershed of the Golema Reka River, Republic of North Macedonia. The specimens were collected with a hydrobiological hand net (mesh size 500 μm), through applying the kick-and-sweep multihabitat procedure. According to the published data, the distribution of E. flavens is scattered mainly across the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, North America and Asia). The species is usually found in greater numbers; however, we recorded only one midge of E. flavens on a specimen of E. danica. This finding contributes to the enrichment of the entomofauna of the Republic of North Macedonia but also adds new data on the distribution of the midge E. flavens within the Balkan Peninsula.

Key words

Balkan Peninsula, commensalism, host, macroinvertebrates, stream, symbiotic species

How to Cite
Rimcheska B. & Vidinova Y. 2026. Epoicocladius flavens (Malloch, 1915) (Diptera: Chironomidae): A New Record from the Republic of North Macedonia. Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

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