New Guests in the Romanian Fauna and Pathways for the Introduction of Alien Bush-Crickets and Grasshoppers (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Alien insect species are increasingly recognized as significant drivers of biodiversity change. This study documents the records of four alien orthopteran species in Romania: Meconema meridionale, Rhacocleis annulata, Yersinella raymondii and Anacridium aegyptium. Specimens were collected from various urban and peri-urban locations. The inferred pathways of introduction include accidental transport via ornamental plants, soil, and vehicles, reflecting broader European trends in anthropochorous dispersal. These findings suggest that such habitats provide suitable conditions for the settlement of non-native Orthoptera, providing a baseline for future monitoring. Our research fills a regional knowledge gap and contributes to the understanding of biological invasions in Eastern Europe, offering the necessary data for early detection and the development of future biosecurity assessments to evaluate potential ecological or economic risks.