Západočeské entomologické listy

The online journal of Západočeské entomologické listy was founded on the initiative of members of the West Bohemian branch of the Czech Entomological Society in 2010. The reason for its establishment was the absence of a local professional journal that would provide a space for regional entomologists to present the results of their activities, especially field surveys or knowledge gained from studying entomological material. The fact that this was a good initiative is also evidenced by brief statistics – at the beginning of 2026, i.e. the sixteenth volume, almost 200 original papers were published in the journal by a total of 97 authors, amateur and professional entomologists, whose contributions were reviewed by more than a hundred specialists. 

Initially the journal was intended as a purely regional periodical, focused only on the faunistics and bionomy of insects of the former west Bohemian region (today the Plzeň [Pilsen] and Karlovy Vary [Karlsbad] regions). Over time, the geographical scope expanded to include the entire Czechia and Slovakia, but the professional focus of the journal remained the same. In the next phase of its existence, the journal opened up more to potential readers and authors from among foreign entomologists, as the publication options were expanded to include the option of accepting manuscripts in a fully foreign language (English or German). This expanded the frame of the regional definition to a potentially pan-European scope. However, the journal no longer has an ambition to publish articles focused on the taxonomy or systematics of insects, and these are not taken into account even in a long-term perspective. 

The professional quality of the articles is supervised by a five-member editorial board, which ensures a smooth editorial process from the time the article is accepted by the editorial office to its publication. The entire process does not take more than a few weeks for shorter articles, but for longer works it takes only months. Each contribution is subject to two independent reviews. As an online periodical, the journal offers open and free access to its content to the widest possible range of readers. Editorial processing and publication of the contribution are also free of charge for authors. It is an ideal space for amateur and professional entomologists who are interested in sharing their knowledge from the aforementioned fields of entomology without unnecessary delay.