The Sciaridae dataset contains the biodata of specimens that are permanent micropreparations (slides) mounted and fixed in the artificial resin Euparal. Each slide contains only one male imago (adult) sciarid and only in very few cases the slides presented contain several imagines (males and/or females) or an additional empty puparium. The Sciaridae collection of SIZK covers almost the whole territory of Ukraine (except Crimea and Luhansk Region) and different types of habitats, both natural and anthropogenic (Babytskiy et al. 2019b, Babytskiy et al. 2023). Some specimens were collected in neighbouring countries, such as Hungary (Babytskiy et al. 2019a). The identification of all species in the dataset was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens and confirmed by the leading taxonomists of Sciaridae, Frank Menzel (Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg, Germany) and Pekka Vilkamaa (Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki, Finland).

Successful identification to species level in Sciaridae is only possible based on careful study of the male imago, particularly the structure of the genitalia. Therefore, only males are useful for further preparation and examination (Babytskiy et al. 2022a).

Sciarids or black fungus gnats are small (imago length up to 8 mm), mainly dark-coloured insects. Their larvae usually develop in decaying plant remains permeated by fungal hyphae. Typical habitats of sciarids are shady forests and wet meadows, but some species can migrate from natural biotopes to anthropogenic ecosystems and live as synanthropes (Babytskiy and Bezsmertna 2021, Babytskiy et al. 2022b). Therefore, our Sciaridae collections focused on different grassland and forest habitats (Skobel et al. 2023).

The material was collected during various expeditions and excursions carried out in the time of the field seasons of 2012-2022 (Babytskiy et al. 2018, Babytskiy et al. 2020). Adult sciarids were collected using a sweepnet, Malaise and yellow pan traps or directly from the substrate using an aspirator. Collected sciarids were stored in 5 ml vials containing 70% ethanol. During laboratory preparation, male specimens were dehydrated in absolute ethanol and then mounted on slides in Euparal. All material is kept in the SIZK as a separate Sciaridae collection.

The Syrphidae dataset contains the biodata of a collection of syrphids that are kept in the Funds of the I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine (SIZK_Syrphidae). The collection consists of two parts: the first part contains slide mounted and pinned specimens; in the second part of the collection, there are only pinned specimens (without slide mounted material) and this is a comparative material necessary for identification of species. The terminalia of males are usually brought forward using a dissecting needle with a hook on the end to make the terminal sclerites easier to examine. In many cases, this makes it easier to identify questionable species. The Syrphidae collection of SIZK covers almost the whole territory of Ukraine (there are practically no collection data from the central regions of Ukraine) and different types of habitats, both natural and anthropogenic.

The material was collected during a series of expeditions and excursions carried out in the time of the field seasons from March to October (mostly April-August). The main biotopes in which Syrphidae were collected are edges of mixed or deciduous forests, floodplain forests or meadows, swamps, orchards and roadsides. The flies were mainly collected by the standard method using an entomological net or sometimes an aspirator. Species identification was carried out using the general identification keys published in the works of Bartsch et al. (2009a), Bartsch et al. (2009b), Van Veen 2010 and, Speight and Sarthou 2017, as well as identification keys for individual genera in the works of various specialists. All material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a separate Syrphidae collection.

The Tortricidae dataset contains the biodata of tortrix moth specimens, which are mounted with entomological pins and minutiae. Prepared chitinised genital structures of males and females are stored in special plastic tubes in a mixture of alcohol and glycerine. The SIZK Tortricidae collection covers the territory of sixteen regions of Ukraine (Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Luhansk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Volyn, Zakarpatska, Zaporizhzhya and Zhytomyr Regions) and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Some specimens were collected in countries of the former Soviet Union, such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation. The specimens presented in the collection were collected between 1916 and 2016 in various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic. The identification of all species in the dataset has been verified by comparison with voucher specimens and confirmed by leading taxonomists of Tortricidae.

The Tortricidae are a family of moths, commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths, in the order Lepidoptera. This large family has over 11,000 described species and is the only member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Many species are economically important pests. The typical resting posture is with the wings folded back, producing a rather rounded profile.

Larvae in the subfamilies Chlidanotinae and Olethreutinae usually feed by boring into stems, roots, buds or seeds. Larvae in the subfamily Tortricinae feed externally, building leaf rolls. Larvae in the subfamily Tortricinae tend to be more polyphagous than those in Chlidanotinae and Olethreutinae. Tortricinae also possess an anal fork to flick excrement away from their shelter.

The material was collected in a number of expeditions and excursions carried out during the field seasons of the years 1916–2016 in various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic. Adult tortrix moths were observed and collected via daytime catching by a net, attracted by light (250 W and 500 W mercury arc lamps, in rare cases, also incandescent lamps). The caught specimens were placed in individual test tubes, which were closed with a cotton swab and euthanised with ethyl acetate. After the excursions, the best collected specimens were pricked on entomological pins (No. 000 and No. 00) or on minutiae and part of the material was laid out on cotton layers ('mattresses'). When attracted by light, tortrix moths that landed on a white screen were collected in test tubes, euthanised and mounted immediately after catching. When inspecting tree trunks, walls of houses, fences etc., tortrix moths sitting on them were caught with test tubes or stains.

The identification of the material was carried out mainly using the literature sources (Kuznetzov 1978, Razowski 2002, Schön 2002, Razowski 2003), and was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens from the Yu. Kostiuk collection of tortrix moths of the National Museum of Natural History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). In difficult cases, the identification was made by genitalia prepared by maceration in 8–12% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Prepared chitinised genital structures of males and females are stored in special plastic tubes in a mixture of alcohol and glycerine. All of the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a separate Tortricidae collection.

The Chrysididae dataset contains the biodata on the collection of the family Chrysididae kept in the Funds of I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine (SIZK_Chrysididae) and partially originating from Kharkiv Entomological Society (Kharkiv, Ukraine), Nature Museum of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Kharkiv, Ukraine), Vasyl` Stus Donetsk National University (Donetsk, Ukraine) and Karadag Nature Reserve (The Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine)). The dataset comprises data on specimens collected since 1873 to now. Chrysidid wasps were mainly studied as imagoes, but some data refer to larval stage and subsequently reared adults. The vast part of studied specimens is preserved as pinned material, some of them also being preserved in 96% ethanol. In a geographical aspect, the collection covers almost the entire territory of Ukraine: it represents data from all geographic and administrative regions of the country. Identification of many species in the dataset was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens and confirmed by the leading taxonomists on Chrysididae.

The minute study of an adult is usually sufficient for the successful identification of the species of the family Chrysididae. The known ranges of variability in colouration and morphological features should be accurately considered in the process of differentiating (Martynova 2021). Nevertheless, the structure of male genitalia and female internal segments are used for identification of the species of certain species-groups within Chrysididae. Various recent keys were used for the identification of species of different genera and species-groups of the family (Kimsey and Bohart 1991, Smissen 2010, Martynova 2015).

The material on Chrysididae was collected during numerous expeditions all over Ukraine. Different entomological methods were used for capturing of the adults, for example, sweep-netting, collecting of separate individuals of flowers, wood, leaves and other surfaces, yellow pan traps, Malaise traps and Barber traps. Additionally, rearing of adults from the host nests was used in the course of study on host-parasitoid relations of Chrysidid wasps (Martynova 2021).

The captured specimens were narcotised in the field with ethylene glycol or preserved directly in 96% ethanol. Afterwards, they were pinned in the standard way at laboratory conditions for further examination. The material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a separate Chrysididae collection. It also comprises specimens originating from collections of other institutions (Nature Museum of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Kharkiv, Ukraine), Vasyl` Stus Donetsk National University (Donetsk, Ukraine) and Karadag Nature Reserve (The Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine)).

The Larrini and Miscophini dataset contains the biodata of the specimens belonging to these tribes (Crabronidae family). All specimens are pinned, fixed and dried. Each specimen is accompanied by labels. Tribes Larrini and Miscophini have been collected from parts of Ukraine territory (Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kherson, Kyiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia and Zhytomyr Regions) and various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic. Some specimens have also been collected in other countries such as Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and the Russian Federation.

Successful identification to the species level in Larrini and Miscophini is possible only based on carefully studying the morphology(Bohart and Menke 1976, Kazenas 1978, Pulawski 1978).

Larrini and Miscophini live in a wide range of habitats, both natural and anthropogenic (Kazenas 1978). Biology of species from these tribes is presented in detail in the monograph of V. Kazenas (Kazenas 2001).

The material was collected in a number of expeditions and excursions carried out during the field seasons of the years 1912 – 1992. Adult Tribes Larrini and Miscophini were collected with a sweepnet and Malaise traps. Collected insects were stored in vials with ethyl acetate vapour. During preparation in the laboratory, the specimens were pinned, fixed, dried and labelled. All of the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a part of Crabronidae collection.

The Crabronidae and Sphecidae dataset contains the biodata of specimens from two Hymenoptera families. The family Crabronidae (864 specimens) is represented by 99 species and two subspecies from 18 genera. The Sphecidae family (206 specimens) is represented by 23 species from six genera. All specimens are pinned, fixed and dried. Each specimen is accompanied by labels. Crabronidae and Sphecidae SIZK collections cover almost the whole territory of Ukraine and the territory of the CIS countries (Republics of the former USSR). Сollections cover habitat types both natural and anthropogenic.

Biotopes for most specimens are not specified. For some specimens, the following biotopes were indicated: steppe, forest-steppe, mountains, sands, gardens, forest, forest edges, river and lake valleys, sea coasts, xerophilic meadows, ravines and anthropogenic landscapes (Bohart and Menke 1976, Kazenas 1978, Kazenas 2001). The material was collected in a number of expeditions and excursions carried out during the field seasons of the years 1905 – 2007. During preparation in the laboratory, the collected insects were pinned, fixed, dried and labelled. All of the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as separate Crabronidae and Sphecidae collections.

The Eurytomidae, Torymidae and Ormyridae dataset contains the biodata of the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae, Torymidae, Ormyridae) collections. All specimens in the dataset are pinned imagoes (adults). Collections of Eurytomidae, Torymidae and Ormyridae cover the territory of western Ukraine (Carpathian Mountains), northern and central Ukraine, eastern and southern Ukraine), including various natural reservations in forestry, forest-steppe and steppe natural regions of Ukraine (Zerova 1995).

Identification of all species in the dataset was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens (both type and non-type) and confirmed by the leading taxonomists on different families of Chalcidoidea (Zerova and Klymenko 2018).

Chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea) have a small body size (mostly length of imago from 0.3 mm to 6.0 mm without ovipositor length). Their larvae usually develop as ecto- or endoparasitoids, koino- or idiobionts, gregarious or solitary parasitoids and, in some cases, larvae are phytophagous in seeds, fruits, stems, leaves and galls of different plants. Chalcid wasps can be found in all terrestrial habitat types, including forests, shrubs, forestry-steppe and steppe landscapes, as well as near semi-aquatic and even aquatic habitats (Bolu et al. 2024).

The material was collected during 1899 – 2017 by many entomologists. Adults of chalcid wasps were collected with a sweepnet, Malaise and yellow pan traps. Collected in traps, parasitoids are stored in 2.0-50.0 ml vials containing 96% ethanol. During preparation in the laboratory, the specimens were dried and then pinned directly or glued to paper triangles with further pinning. Extensive material of chalcid wasps was received by the method of individual rearing from host insects and host plants. All of the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as separate Eurytomidae, Torymidae and Ormyridae collections containing the specimens collected in all parts of the world.

The Ichneumonidae dataset contains the biodata of specimens from Ichneumonidae family. All specimens are pinned or preserved in ethanol imagoes (adult). Ichneumonidae collection of SIZK covers the territory of western Ukraine (part of the Carpathian Mountains situated in Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian Regions) and various natural forest habitat types. Identification of all species in the dataset was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens (both type and non-type) and confirmed by the leading taxonomists of Ichneumonidae (e.g. Varga (2024)).

Successful identification to the species level in Ichneumonidae is usually possible based on careful studying of the pinned female imago. In some well-studied groups, such as subfamily Pimplinae, identification is possible based on wet (preserved in ethanol) specimens of both sexes without preliminary pinning (Varga 2019). Thus, a large part of material is stored in vials filled with ethanol.

Ichneumonids or Darwin wasps are small to large (length of imago from 2 mm to 50 mm without ovipositor lenght). Their larvae usually act as parasitoids developing as ecto- or endoparasitoids, koino- or idiobionts, gregarious or solitary. Ichneumonids can be found in all terrestrial habitat types, but they are the most abundant in wet forests (Broad et al. 2018).

The material was collected in a number of expeditions carried out during the field seasons of the years 2009 – 2018. Adult ichneumonids were collected with a sweepnet, Malaise and Trunk traps. Collected parasitoids were stored in 2-50 ml vials containing 96% ethanol. During preparation in the laboratory, the specimens were dried and then pinned directly or glued to paper triangles with further pinning. All of the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a part of Ichneumonidae collection containing the specimens collected in all parts of the world.

The Anomaloninae dataset contains the biodata of Anomaloninae subfamily (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). All specimens are pinned, fixed and dried. Each specimen is accompanied by labels. Anomaloninae SIZK collection covers almost the whole territory of Ukraine and various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic (Nuzhna 2010a, Nuzhna 2010b, Nuzhna 2012a, Nuzhna 2012b, Nuzhna 2013a, Nuzhna 2013b, Nuzhna 2013c). Specimens were collected in neighbouring countries, such as Belarus, Russian Federation, Moldova and some specimens were collected in Kazakhstan (Nuzhna 2013c). Identification of all species in the dataset was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens and confirmed by the leading taxonomists of Anomaloninae.

Successful identification to the species level in Anomaloninae is possible only based on careful examination of the morphological characters, such as body sculpture, wing venation, shape of head, metasoma and hind tarsi. Colouration is also very useful especially for male determination.

Anomalonines are small to large, but always slender insects, with strongly sculptured propodeum and laterally compressed metasoma. The representatives of this group are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Coleoptera (Anomalonini) and Lepidoptera (Gravenhorstiini) (Broad et al. 2018). Typical habitats for Anomaloninae are dry or wet grassland and shrub biotopes, but some species can migrate from the natural biotopes to anthropogenic ecosystems and live as synanthropes. Therefore, our Anomaloninae collections focused on different grasslands and forest habitats (Nuzhna 2010b, Nuzhna 2013b).

The material was collected during the numerous field trips and excursions carried out by many entomologists between 1952 and 2012. Adult Anomaloninae were collected with a sweepnet and Malaise traps. Collected insects were stored in vials with ethyl acetate vapour. The specimens prepared to be stored in the main Ichneumonidae collection at SIZK were preliminary pinned, dried and labelled (Nuzhna 2010a, Nuzhna 2010b, Nuzhna 2012a, Nuzhna 2012b, Nuzhna 2013a, Nuzhna 2013b, Nuzhna 2013c).

The Ophioninae dataset contains the biodata of Ophioninae subfamily (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). All specimens are pinned, fixed and dried. Each specimen is accompanied by labels. Ophioninae SIZK collection covers almost the whole territory of Ukraine and various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic. Specimens were collected in neighbouring countries, such as the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova, Hungary and some specimens were collected in Indonesia, Peru, Madagascar.

The number of flagellomeres, shape of ocelli, wing venation and carination of the propodeum are the main features used for successful species identification of the Ophioninae (e.g. Johansson and Cederberg (2019)).

These insects are large and slender nocturnal parasitoids, usually with uniformly coloured (mainly orange in temperate zone species) body and long antennae. They act as koinobiont endoparasitoids of various lepidopterans (Broad et al. 2018). Typical habitats for Ophioninae are dry or wet grassland and shrub biotopes, but some species can migrate from the natural biotopes to anthropogenic ecosystems and live as synanthropes. Therefore, our Ophioninae collections focused on different grasslands and forest habitats.

The material was collected mainly with light traps, but sweepnet and Malaise traps were also used. The materials were represented by the specimens collected in 1907 – 2007. The material is kept as pinned specimens in the SIZK Funds as a part of the main Ichneumonidae collection.

The Aphidiinae dataset contains the biodata of the Aphidiinae subfamily collection (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). All specimens are fixed, dried and pinned (card mounting method). Each specimen is accompanied by label(s). Aphidiinae collection of SIZK covers most of the territory of Ukraine (18 regions) and various habitat types both natural and anthropogenic. Species were identified using classical and modern identification keys of the group (Tobias and Chiriac 1986, Davidian 2007) as well as keys to particular genera and original species descriptions, information on which could be found in Taxapad (Yu et al. 2016). Identification of some specimens was verified by comparison with the voucher specimens and confirmed by the leading taxonomists of Aphidiinae (Kaliuzhna 2014).

Successful identification to species level in Aphidiinae is only possible based on careful study of morphology, especially head, meso- and metasoma structure (Kaliuzhna 2014, Kaliuzhna 2016). Mostly females are useful for identification, but sometimes males could also be identified. In some cases, mounting on slides is necessary for species identification. Species identification, based on morphological characters in some cases, is difficult and often the use of DNA analysis provides new results on the species diversity (Havelka et al. 2021). The need to find new reliable characters has led to attempts to describe new morphological characters in Aphidiinae (Kaliuzhna 2016, Kaliuzhna 2019b).

Aphidiinae are slender, medium-sized to small insects (typically 2–4 mm). Imago colouration is predominantly dark brown, brown, yellow-brown and rarely yellow. Venation is often reduced compared to other braconids, except for the genera Ephedrus and Toxares. Ovipositor sheaths are always short. Antennae are usually not very long, often around or less than 20 flagelomeres. Aphidiines are koinobiont endoparasitoids of aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae); some species are used as biological control agents (Starý 1970, Tobias and Chiriac 1986, Davidian 2007).

Typical habitats for Aphidiinae are dry or wet grasslands, ecotones between forest and meadow, field edges and ruderal habitats (Kaliuzhna and Zubenko 2013), but some species are parasitoids of dendrophilous aphids and could be found in forests or parks, arboretums or botanical gardens (Kaliuzhna 2012) and other species are associated with ants and could be found in their nests. Therefore, the collection of Aphidiinae was focused on different grassland and forest habitats, as well as agricultural and ruderal areas.

The material was collected in a number of expeditions and excursions during the field seasons of 1972 – 2019 (Kaliuzhna 2012, Kaliuzhna 2013, Kaliuzhna and Zubenko 2013, Kaliuzhna 2014, Kaliuzhna 2017, Kaliuzhna 2019a, Kaliuzhna 2019b, Kaliuzhna 2020). Adult Aphidiinae were collected with a sweepnet or reared from infested aphid hosts. Collected insects were fixed in vials with ethyl acetate vapour. During preparation in the laboratory, specimens were mounted on cards and labelled. All the material is kept in the SIZK Funds as a part of Braconidae collection.