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The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis(Pallas, 1773) is one of the most famous invasive beetles in the world. A map of 105 findings of H. axyridisin Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, and northwestern China was compiled based on the examination of museum collections (about 1000 spec.) and analysis of the published data. Southeastern Kazakhstan is not a part of the native range of the species. The history of expansion of H. axyridisinto southeastern Kazakhstan was reconstructed. At the end of the XIX century and in the first half of the XX century, the species was recorded in Kazakhstan Altai but not in other regions of Kazakhstan. In the early 1960s and 1976 it was found in more southern territories of the Ayaguz and Aksu River floodplains. Later on, H. axyridiswas recorded further south, in Trans-Ili Alatau, and became a common species in the vicinity of Almaty. The coloration of adults and genetic data indicate that the harlequin ladybird has migrated to Trans-Ili Alatau from Kazakhstan Altai or Western Siberia. There is a vast Balkhash desert between the native range of the species and Trans-Ili Alatau, through which the beetles could not have migrated by themselves. Judging by the finding localities and dates, the invasion corridor was formed by the railroad.

Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennisis a serious pest of ash. It was accidentally introduced to Moscow in the 1990s. In May 2013, ashes in four cities located to the northwest of Moscow were examined. In Zelenograd (20 km from Moscow), Klin (70 km from Moscow), and Konakovo (100 km from Moscow), most of the ashes have been already killed or severely damaged by the pest. Obviously, within the next several years, ashes will be entirely eliminated from green plantations of these cities. Ashes examined in Tver (145 km from Moscow) are not damaged. The European range of the pest has significantly expanded to the northwest. Its border now crosses Tver oblast.

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennisFairmaire, 1888) is a dangerous invasive pest of ashes. It was previously believed that in European Russia it occurs only in Moscow, Moscow Province, and in the eastern regions of Smolensk Province. An examination of ash trees in 12 cities of European Russia has revealed a much wider area of the emerald ash borer invasion. The pest was found in Konakovo (Tver Province), Tula, Kaluga, Orel, and Voronezh. We have found that A. planipennisdamages not only Fraxinus pennsylvanica(an American species which is commonly planted in cities), but also the aborigine European ash Fraxinus excelsior. Ashes in the European forests and in the protective forest belts are badly endangered.

The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is recorded in Belgorod oblast. This species has established itself in 38 countries of North America, South America, Europe, and Africa in the last 24 years. Mass propagation of this beetle in a number of regions has led to the decline of local ladybird species and other insects. The harlequin ladybird is a significant pest of fruit and wine production. H. axyridisis a nuisance that infests houses in large numbers when searching for overwintering sites. Hungry beetles bite people. The fluid excreted by these beetles has a foul odor, stains furniture and walls, and causes an allergy. The harlequin ladybird should be included in the list of quarantine species of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision of Russia.

The leaf-beetle Leptomona russica(Gmelin, 1790) known from the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and Middle Asia was found in Orenburg Province for the first time. It is the first record of this species from Europe and the first record of the genus Leptomonafrom European Russia. The diagnostic characters of the two Russian Leptomonaspecies are included.