Aerogels are the least dense and most porous materials known to man, with potential applications from lightweight superinsulators to smart energy materials. To date their use has been seriously hampered by their synthesis methods, which are laborious and expensive. Taking inspiration from the life cycle of the damselfly, a novel ambient pressure‐drying approach is demonstrated in which instead of employing low‐surface‐tension organic solvents to prevent pore collapse during drying, sodium bicarbonate solution is used to generate pore‐supporting carbon dioxide in situ, significantly reducing energy, time, and cost in aerogel production. The generic applicability of this readily scalable new approach is demonstrated through the production of granules, monoliths, and layered solids with a number of precursor materials.

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 is an invasive bug species native to the western part of North America and one of 16 alien Heteroptera species in Europe. After it was first found in Italy in 1999, the species spread fast across the continent, including the Balkan Peninsula. Our study confirms the species presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina and gives data on its distribution, including the earliest records for the country. Up untill now the species is found at nine different locations in the period from 2008 to 2016. The record from early spring 2008 suggests that the species was already present in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007 or even earlier. Most records pertain to overwintering adults. For the first time the species is reported from Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii H. Christ). The species is also reported from Klek village in Dubrovnik region, south Croatia.

The results of the first study of the dragonfly fauna in northwest Bosnia are presented. Field surveys were conducted in summer 2012 and 2013, resulting in the identification of 36 species. Out of these, 34 are new for the region. The present paper gives a detailed overview of the results and a comparison of the dragonfly fauna composition of the region studied with the neighboring areas within Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia is made. The most abundant species were: Calopteryx virgo (Linnaeus, 1758), Sympetrum sanguineum (Müller, 1764), Onychogomphus forcipatus (Linnaeus,1758), Somatochlora meridionalis Nielsen, 1935, Calopteryx splendens (Harris, 1782) and Platycnemis pennipes (Pallas, 1771). Noteworthy are the records of Chalcolestes viridis (Vander Linden, 1825) and Coenagrion scitulum (Rambur, 1842), two species that are rare in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also Coenagrion ornatum (Selys, 1850) and Cordulegaster heros Theischinger, 1979, species of European conservation concern. Distribution and the status of these species and the conservation of dragonfly species in the country are briefly discussed. The data collected represent an important contribution to the knowledge of the dragonfly fauna of the Una River basin and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Records of the biting midge Forcipomyia paludis (Macfie, 1936) from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are reported herewith as the first finds of F. paludis in both countries, together with new records from Croatia and Sweden. This biting midge is a temporary ectoparasite of dragonfly imagines and the only ceratopogonid species known in Europe to feed specifically on this insect group. Forcipomyia paludis is already known in 18 European countries. Prior to this report, F. paludis was known to infest 67 dragonfly species in Europe. Thirteen dragonfly imagines from 11 sites in Slovenia, 27 imagines from 13 sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and six imagines from two sites in Croatia having F. paludis on their wings were recorded. Additional data for 50 imagines from 15 sites in Sweden are also presented. In Slovenia, the species is known to occur in the Gorenjska, Goriška Brda, Vipava River Valley, Coastal-Karst region, Central Slovenia, Kočevska region and Bela krajina, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is known only from south Herzegovina (Ljubuški, Čapljina, Mostar and Stolac areas). In Croatia, the species is present in several parts of the country, while in Sweden it occurs only in the southern and middle parts of the country (Skåne, Öland, Gotland, Göteborg and Gävle). Six new dragonfly host species and the northernmost occurrence of F. paludis are also reported.

Three butterfly species were recorded for the first time for the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Herzegovina region: Danaus chrysippus, Cacyreus marshalli and Carcharodus orientalis. The records represent expansions to the known distribution, although the presence of all three species was expected as they are to be found in neighbouring countries. This is the third record that D. chrysippus has reached southern Croatia, and the first time it has been observed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The record of the non-native C. marshalli fills the distributional gap, and the record of C. orientalis, a rare and local species in the region, represents an increase of the known distribution in the mainland of the western Adriatic coastline. In the future, additional records of rare and unrecorded species are expected in the country.

Ceratomegilla ( Adaliopsis ) alpina (Villa & Villa, 1835) is a Pleistocene glacial relict with disjunctive distribution in high mountain areas of the Alps, Carpathians and the Bulgarian mountains, where it inhabits mountain meadows from 800 to 2.000 m a.s.l. (Fürsch 1967, Haviar 2003, Kovar 2007). Two ssp. are recognized, Ceratomegilla alpina alpina Villa & Villa, 1835, restricted to the Alps (Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), and Ceratomegilla alpina redtenbacheri Capra, 1928 with a wider distribution, including Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraina (Kovar 2007, Canepari 2013). In comparison with C. a. alpina , C. a. redtenbacheri is characterized by smaller humeral red spot reaching half of elytra width and without sub-humeral black spot; posterior spot roundish or square (never stripe shaped); body more convex and less pointed posteriorly (Capra 1928). Travnik C. a. Sampling site “Travnik

On 30-iv-2013, a single young male of Leucorrhinia caudalis (Charpentier, 1840) was collected at a gravel pond near Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the first record of the species for the country and its southernmost occurrence in southeastern Europe, where it is an extremely rare species, restricted to the floodplains of the Sava and Danube Rivers. Recent surveys suggest further decline of the species in the region. Habitat characteristics at the capture site correspond with the previously described preferred habitats of the species. Floating and submerged vegetation was well developed and dominated by Pota­ mogeton spp. and Myriophyllum spp., while sedges and reeds grew along the margins. The distribution, habitats and status of the species in the Balkans and central Europe are outlined and discussed (western Balkans, Hungary and Slovakia). Data on the species’ distribution in western Europe are also provided.

An overview is given on distribution, habitat and flight season of Sympetrum flaveolum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the status of this species in the Dinaric Alps is discussed. It was found to be common and widespread in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the data set consulted, S. flaveolum was present in 93 localities and it is thus concluded that the species is quite common. Continuity and abundance of observations, including much evidence of reproduction, indicate the presence of permanent populations in the Dinaric Alps in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The distribution of Caliaeschna microstigma (Schneider, 1845) in Europe is small and restricted only to the Balkans. As in the last years its populations are declining, the species is classified as near threatened (NT) in the European and the Mediterranean Red Lists. It occures only in the Mediterranean region inhabiting springs, brooks and small rivers. These habitats are critically endangered by the human activities and climate change. In Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia the species reaches its north-western edge of distribution. As population trends of the species are still insufficiently known, the study on the distribution and threats to the populations of C. microstigma in the North-West Balkan region was conducted. The study covered localities in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro and has revealed more detailed and wider distribution of the species. Its habitat preferences in the researched area were inspected as well. However, it was also recorded that these habitats are highly and primarly endangered by the plans of placing the additional hydro power plants and the water extraction projects. In Croatia the species is classified as critically endangered (CR) and strictly protected by the law, while in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro is still considerably underevaluated. Our work will contribute to the development of monitoring and protection plans and long term conservation of C. microstigma in the North- West Balkan countries.

The distribution of Caliaeschna microstigma in Europe is small and restricted only to the Balkans. As in the last years its populations are declining, the species is classified as near threatened (NT) in the European and the Mediterranean Red List. In Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia the species reaches its north-west edge of distribution. It occures only in the Mediterranean region inhabiting springs, fast flowing streams and small rivers. These habitats are critically endangered by the human activities and climate change. In Croatia the species is classified as critically endangered (CR), while in Bosnia and Herzegovina Red List still does not exist thus the species is not protected. As population trends of the species are still insufficiently known, the research on the distribution and threats to the populations of C. microstigma in the West Balkan region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia) was conducted. The first phase of the research covered localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia and has revealed more detailed and wider distribution of the species. Its habitat preferences in the researched area were inspected as well. However, it was also recorded that these habitats are highly and primarly endangered by the plans of placing the additional hydro power plants and the water extraction projects. Our work will contribute to the development of monitoring and protection plans and long term conservation of C. microstigma in the West Balkan countries.

The current knowledge on the Odonata fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina is summarized based on museum and private collections, literature and new unpublished data of the authors. In all, 63 spp. are known, including first reports of Platycnemis pennipes nitidula, Anax parthenope, Gomphus flavipes, G. schneiderii, Cordulegaster heros and Selysiothemis nigra for the country. Caliaeschna microstigma is rediscovered after more than 100 yr. The first reliable data on the occurrence of Somatochlora metallica is reported. More than 1,400 new records were collected and a national odonatol. database has been created. Annotations to the new spp. and to some other faunistically interesting species are given. Possible future additions to the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina are discussed.

The current knowledge on the Odonata fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina is summarized based on museum and private collections, literature and new unpublished data of the authors. In all, 63 spp. are known, including first reports of Platycnemis pennipes nitidula, Anax parthenope, Gomphus flavipes, G. schneiderii, Cordulegaster heros and Selysiothemis nigra for the country. Caliaeschna microstigma is rediscovered after more than 100 yr. The first reliable data on the occurrence of Somatochlora metallica is reported. More than 1,400 new records were collected and a national odonatol. database has been created. Annotations to the new spp. and to some other faunistically interesting species are given. Possible future additions to the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina are discussed.