Wiorek brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the nota Lepidopterologica editorial team.With a strong background in lepidopteran morphology and molecular studies, he has been actively involved in research on tiger moths (Arctiinae) and their systematics, phylogeny, biology, and zoogeography. He has also recently obtained his PhD through his study of the Syntomini group of moths in Madagascar.Wiorek’s appointment as co-Editor-in-Chief was announced at the Society for European Lepidopterology’s meeting on August 22nd, 2025. He will be joining Théo Léger in leading the growth of Nota Lepidopterologica, an open-access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research on all aspects of lepidopterology.
In a statement about his new role, Wiorek expressed his honour and happiness at joining the esteemed team of editors for Nota Lepidopterologica. He also shared his passion for studying tiger moths and how it led him to pursue a PhD focused on this group.
This change comes after David Lees’ resignation as co-Editor-in-Chief after eight years of service. In reflecting on his time with Nota Lepidopterologica, Lees expressed gratitude for being able to maintain the high standards set by previous editors while working towards improving accessibility and inclusivity within the journal.During Lees’ tenure as co-Editor-in-Chief, he helped edit 11 issues containing 148 papers over 2,114 pages. His contributions have been invaluable in maintaining Nota Lepidopterologica‘s reputation as a top-tier journal within lepidoptery research.
wiorek’s appointment brings a fresh outlook and new expertise to the editorial team, ensuring that Nota Lepidopterologica continues to publish cutting-edge research in the field. With his strong skills in lepidopteran morphology and molecular knowledge, Wiorek is well-equipped to contribute to the journal’s growth and development.
in addition to his role as co-Editor-in-Chief, Wiorek will also be working closely with Pensoft, the publisher of Nota Lepidopterologica, in maintaining high scientific standards and improving accessibility for submissions outside of the EU.
this change marks an exciting new chapter for Nota Lepidopterologica, with a dedicated team of editors committed to advancing lepidoptery research through open-access publishing.Occupying approximately 12 centimeters of shelf space,the journal “Pensoft Publishers” has been a leading source of scientific research for over two decades.Since its inception in 1994, the journal has continuously evolved and improved, with an introduction of Impact Factor (currently at 0.7) and a commitment to integrating Altmetric scores for each paper.Additionally, Pensoft often offers promotion opportunities for papers with wider interest.
However, as with any long-standing publication, it is vital to constantly strive for improvement and innovation. In this article, we will explore some potential areas where “pensoft Publishers” can continue to excel and maintain its high quality while adapting to the ever-changing landscape of scientific publishing.
One aspect that sets “Pensoft Publishers” apart from other journals is its focus on European butterfly larvae foodplants. This unique niche allows for a complete understanding of these species and their interactions with their environment. Though, as new species are discovered or introduced into Europe, it might potentially be beneficial to expand this focus beyond just European species.
Such as, in recent years there have been several notable discoveries related to moths in Europe. These include a new clearwing moth found in Guyana but now resident in Wales (12970), development anomalies recorded for the first time in a rare tiger moth (5908), and the mass migration of Larch Budmoth to the Russian High Arctic (5693). by incorporating these findings into future publications or even dedicating special issues to specific topics such as these moths’ migrations or development abnormalities could attract more readership from outside Europe.
Furthermore, while “Pensoft Publishers” already offers an notable range of articles covering various aspects within entomology and zoology fields, there may be room for expansion into other disciplines such as botany or ecology. This could open up new avenues for collaboration between researchers from different fields and provide readers with a more diverse range of topics to explore.
In addition to expanding its scope, “Pensoft Publishers” could also consider incorporating more interactive elements into its publications. Such as, including videos or animations in articles could enhance the reader’s understanding and engagement with the research. This would also align with the journal’s commitment to accessibility and innovation.
Another potential area for improvement is in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the journal. While “Pensoft Publishers” has a strong reputation for publishing high-quality research, it is important to ensure that this research represents a diverse range of voices and perspectives. This could be achieved by actively seeking out submissions from underrepresented groups or offering mentorship programs for early-career researchers from diverse backgrounds.
while “Pensoft Publishers” has established itself as a reputable source of scientific research over the past 25 years, there are always opportunities for growth and improvement.By expanding its focus beyond just European butterfly larvae foodplants, exploring new disciplines, incorporating interactive elements into publications, and promoting diversity within its submissions, “Pensoft publishers” can continue to thrive as a leading publisher in the scientific community.
The Menetries’ tiger moth (Arctia menetriesii) is a rare and understudied species found in the Palaearctic region. Despite its scarcity,this moth has recently gained attention due to its unique characteristics and behavior.
Exploring the fascinating Arctic Habitats
For centuries, biologists have been fascinated by the Arctic habitats. However, these regions are known for their low diversity of insect species, making it less appealing for entomologists – scientists who study insects. Nevertheless, recent studies have shed light on the intriguing insect fauna found in these extreme environments.
The spread of an Invasive Leaf-Mining Moth
An invasive leaf-mining moth has been gradually expanding its distributional range from Central Europe to other parts of the world. This moth feeds on cornelian cherry trees and poses a threat to native plant species.
A Newly Discovered Moth Species from Portugal
In 1998, a previously unknown moth was collected in Portugal but remained unnamed until now.After extensive research and analysis, this mysterious moth has finally been identified and placed within the tree of life.
In his farewell statement as Editor-in-Chief,David Lees expressed his confidence in the new team and their abilities to continue the success of Nota Lepidopterologica. He will be stepping down from his role but will continue to contribute as a Senior Curator at the Natural History Museum in London.
The journal’s new co-Editor-in-Chief, Marcin Wiorek, is well-known in the SEL community and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. He is dedicated to maintaining high publishing standards and incorporating modern research methods into traditional taxonomy and systematics of Lepidoptera.
Pensoft and nota lepidopterologica express their gratitude for David’s hard work and dedication, wishing him all the best in his future endeavors.They also welcome Marcin as he takes on this new role and look forward to working with him on further developing the journal.
Congratulations to Marcin Wiorek on this well-deserved appointment! 🦋✨