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The Asian or yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax has been accidentally introduced into several European countries. This invasive species has an impact on entomofauna and plant biodiversity through reduction of pollinators as well as affects apiculture. We present the first record of the species in the Czech Republic, notes associated with this record, its COI barcode, and modelled potential distribution. A specimen of Vespa velutina nigrithorax was recorded in October 2023 in Pilsen city (West Bohemia, Czech Republic). The nest was traced by observing released individuals, detected on Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and removed. The COI barcode confirmed the European origin of this nest. The species either followed natural routes from Bavaria (Germany) or was introduced by transportation. A species distribution model (Maxent) trained on European distribution showed that the western Czech Republic is more suitable for the species than its eastern parts, as the species likely prefers lower continentality. During 2024, Vespa velutina nigrithorax was also recorded in Hrádek u Rokycan (West Bohemia, Czech Republic). Recently, these records represented an isolated occurrence in the Czech Republic; however further expansion of this invasive species is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of a firm's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) level on abnormal stock returns around merger and acquisitions (M&A) announcements. Using a sample of transactions announced by German DAX-listed acquirers from 2017 and 2022, the analysis assesses whether CSR creates value for acquiring firms' shareholders and offers a comprehensive discussion of potential factors supporting or opposing this notion. Our study seeks to fill a notable gap in the German literature on the relationship between CSR performance and abnormal stock returns surrounding M&A announcements. Building upon prior research findings in the US and in an international sample, our investigation focuses on the German market. Employing event study methodology, our results indicate that M&A transactions of German-listed acquirers did not yield significant negative or positive cumulative abnormal returns for event windows of 3 and 11 days. Furthermore, based on multiple linear regression, no evidence was found that CSR positively or negatively influenced abnormal stock returns following M&A announcements, suggesting that positive and negative effects potentially offset each other. The outcomes of our research have important implications for investors, as CSR initiatives do not serve as a positive trading signal, guaranteeing excess returns, which contrasts findings from previous studies in other developed countries. For managers, it is essential to concentrate on factors beyond CSR performance, such as synergies and fit. Finally, both managers and investors should not view CSR as a shareholder value-enhancing short-term investment but as an integral component of fostering sustainable business development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarrying has a crucial impact on the environment, but it could enhance species diversity. Mining sites represent important refuges for countless species disappearing from homogenous landscapes. Our study focused on assemblages of heterotrophic communities such as moths (Lepidoptera), carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and macromycetes (fungi: Basidiomycota, Ascomycota) in an active part of kaolin quarries and their immediate surroundings in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic. We compared differences between mined and unmined sites, sites with spontaneous succession and sites with replanted pine trees. In total, we recorded 178 moth, 63 spider, 27 carabid beetle, and 81 macromycetes species, including 21 Red‐listed species. The moths, carabid beetles, and macromycetes tended to inhabit unmined sites; on the contrary, open habitat spiders preferred open sites with replanted pine trees. Based on the life history traits analyses, moth species feeding on forbs and grasses prevail at the active part of kaolin quarries, where higher plant diversity was detected. Large body carabid beetles such as Carabus spp. favored unmined sites, as well as macromycetes with long‐lived fruit bodies. Open habitat and xerophilous spiders inhabited the replanted sites by pine trees where the sparse vegetation was obvious. Our results indicated that groups with radically different life histories such as moths, carabids, and macromycetes may react to mining remarkably similarly, although spiders, despite sharing predatory habits with the majority of carabids, reacted differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]