Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) – a new invasive species in the fauna of Donetsk: distribution, abundance, and morphometric characteristics

The paper presents the results of monitoring studies of single-row Tilia cordata Mill. plantings in Donetsk. These studies revealed the presence of Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787), an invasive species of true bug new to the Donbass. Its active expansion into new regions of Eurasia has been ongoing for the past decade. Between August and November 2025, a continuous survey of tree stands in four districts of the city revealed large aggregations of O. lavaterae individuals at various development stages. It was found that by the end of the vegetation season (September–October), the bugs infested 86,3 to 93% of the trees surveyed in single-row linden plantings, with colony populations ranging from 0,5 thousand to 3 thousand individuals. For the first time in the region, morphometric parameters of adults have been obtained; in particular, the body length of females is 4,5–5,6 mm, and that of males is 3,7–5,2 mm. Sexual dimorphism in body length and width, as well as proboscis length, was statistically confirmed, with males significantly smaller than females. These data indicate the naturalization and high abundance of O. lavaterae in the city, which creates the preconditions for its further dispersal and requires monitoring.