ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA SLOVENICA

LJUBLJANA, DECEMBER 2007 Vol. 15, øt. 2: 105–112

A REVIEW OF THE OWLFLIES OF SLOVENIA (: )

Duøan DEVETAK

Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroøka 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract - For Slovenia, two owlfly species are confirmed and their distribution in the country is presented. For macaronius which is considered a common species, variability of wing coloration based on Slovenian individuals is described. First record of in the country is established. Third species, previously erroneously reported for Slovenia, is omitted from the list.

KEY WORDS: Libelloides macaronius, Libelloides longicornis, wing coloration, distribution, Slovenia

Izvleœek – PREGLED METULJŒNIC SLOVENIJE (NEUROPTERA: ASCALAPHIDAE) Za Slovenijo je potrjeno pojavljanje dveh vrst metuljœnic. Za pogostejøo vrsto, Libelloides macaronius, je opisana variabilnost obarvanosti kril pri osebkih, ki izvirajo iz Slovenije. Vrsta Libelloides longicornis je prviœ najdena v dræavi. Za tretjo vrsto je ugotovljeno, da je bila pomotoma navedena za Slovenijo.

KLJUŒNE BESEDE: Libelloides macaronius, Libelloides longicornis, obarvanost kril, razøirjenost, Slovenija

Introduction

The owlflies (Ascalaphidae) are large, -like with long clubbed antennae and many-veined wings. The larvae are similar to the larvae of , but do not dig pits. They lie in ambush for their prey on the surface of the soil, often covered with debris, and attack small insects that pass by.

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About 400 species in ca. 70 genera are known (New, 1989; Aspöck et al., 2001). In Europe 16 species occur (Aspöck et al., 2001). In the northwest part of the Balkan Peninsula 3 species in 2 genera are recorded: Deleproctophylla australis (Fabricius, 1787), Libelloides lacteus (Brullé, 1832) (syn. Libelloides ottomanus /Germar, 1839/) and Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763). For the distribution of the species in NW Balkan see Aspöck et al. (1980), Devetak (1992, 1995, 1998), Devetak et al. (2002) and Popov (2004). The aim of the study is to present the distribution of two ascalaphid species in the Republic of Slovenia. In earlier study (Devetak et al., 2002) information on the history of investigation, distribution and biology of Libelloides macaronius occurring in Slovenia and NW Croatia was summarized. Popov (2004) published data on the distribution of the species in Slovenia without citing relevant references. In the course of study of Neuroptera in the Regional Park Kozjanski park in summer 2004 an owlfly species, Libelloides longicornis, was found for the first time in Slovenia. Here critical re-evaluation of existing collections with Slovenian ascalaphids is presented.

Material and methods

For the morphological studies adults were pinned and dried or preserved in alcohol. Individuals from insect collections in the following institutions were examined: Natural History Museum of Slovenia (Ljubljana), Croatian Natural History Museum (Zagreb), Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts (Ljubljana) and the author’s collection. The insects were collected by the following persons: J. Ahtik (JA), T. Brinovec (TB), J. Carnelutti (JC), A. Åehiœ (AÅ), D. Devetak (DD), M. Devetak (MD), V. Furlan (VF), Sabina Gomboc (SG), I. Hafner (IH), M. Hafner (MH), F. Janæekoviœ (FJ), M. Jeæ (MJ), M. Kaligariœ (MK), K. Kirbiø (KK), B. Kmecl (BK), V. Lesjak (VL), I. Leønik (IL), B. Mencinger (BM), P. Pirø (PP), J. Staudacher (JSta), J. Stussiner (JStu), A. Øentjurc (AØ), P. Tonkli (PT) and M. Zavec (MZ). The distribution of both species is shown in the UTM maps and localities are listed in the UTM coordinates.

Results

Key to the species and morphs

1 In forewings basal dark spot reaches the base of the wing (Fig.3) ...... Libelloides longicornis - In forewings basal dark spot does not reach the base of the wing (Figs.1, 2) ...... Libelloides macaronius 2 2 Veins in dark spots in forewings are yellow (Figs. 1, 5a-d) ...... morph macaronius - Veins in dark spots in forewings are dark (Fig. 2, 5e-f) ...... morph kolyvanensis

106 Duøan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)

Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763)

Scopoli (1763) described the species as Papilio macaronius. Adult morphology was described by Van Der Weele (1908), Taborsky (1939), Czihak (1956), Kis et al. (1970), Aspöck et al. (1980) and Popov (2004). Distribution of the species is summarized by Aspöck et al. (1980, 2001) and Sziráki (1998). Táborský (1939) provided key for determination of the morphs (?forms) of L. macaronius. Two morphs (“Phäna” after Aspöck et al., 1980; “race groups” after Popov, 2004) are recognized in Europe but they have no taxonomical value as there is no correlation between the geographical distribution and morphology. In the morph macaronius veins in dark spots in forewings are yellow (Figs. 1, 5a-d). In the morph kolyvanensis veins in dark spots in forewings are dark (Fig. 2, 5e-f). Both morphs and intermediates were found in Slovenia (Fig. 5). In forewings of a few individuals of kolyvanensis from Œrni Kal and Petrinje in basal dark spots small light dots occur (Fig. 5f). Zoogeography: Expansive Pontomediterranean element.

Literature records: Táborský (1939); Devetak (1984); Devetak et al. (2002). Material examined: Ankaran, VL04, 27.-29. VII. 1982 (MZ) (morph kolyvanensis); Begunjøœica, VM44, 10. VIII. 1919 (MH) (morph macaronius); Bela Krajina: Damelj, WL13, 4. VII. 1980 (DD) (morph macaronius); Bela Krajina: Vinica, WL23, 5. VII. 1980 (DD) (morph macaronius); Cerknica, Meniøija, VL47, 10. VII. 1966 (JC) (morph macaronius); Œrni Kal, VL14, 11. VII. 1982 (DD) (morph kolyvanensis and intermediates); Dragonja, UL93, 17. VI. 1996 (DD, FJ, BM, PP) (morph kolyvanensis); Goriœko: Œepinci, WM99, 28. VI. 1997 (DD) (morph macaronius); Haloze: Cirkulane, WM73, 29. VI. 1997 (DD) (morph macaronius); Izola, UL94, VI. 1982 (MK) (morph kolyvanensis); Koper, Srmin, VL04, VII. 2002 (MD) (morph kolyvanensis); Kozjanski park, Vetrnik, WM40, 1. VII. 2004 (DD) (morph macaronius); Krim, Gornji Ig, VL58, 7. VII. 1974 (PT) (morph macaronius); Kum,

Fig. 1: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, Fig. 2: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763): morph macaronius, female; 1763): morph kolyvanensis, male; Grmada; length of the right forewing Petrinje; length of the right forewing 24 mm. 21 mm.

107 Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007

Fig. 3: Libelloides longicornis (Linnaeus, Fig. 4: Hybrid Libelloides macaronius x 1764), male; Vetrnik; length of the right longicornis; male; Preska; length of the forewing 21 mm. right forewing 21 mm. Fig. 5: Variability of the coloration pattern in the wings of Libelloides macaronius; forewing lengths are expressed in brackets: a – d: morph macaronius; e – f: morph kolyvanensis; g – i intermediates between both morphs; a: Krim, Gornji Ig (male; 21 mm); b: Grmada (female; 24 mm); c: Œepinci (male; 21 mm); d: Grmada (female; 24 mm); e and f: Petrinje (females; 22 mm; 23 mm); g – i: Seæana (females; 24 mm; 26 mm; 24 mm).

WM00, 2. VIII. 1918 (MH) (morph macaronius); Kureøœek, Zapotok, VL68, 24. VII. 1921 (JStu) (morph macaronius); Laøko: the surroundings of Laøko, WM11, 30. VII. 1970 (IL) (morph macaronius); Laøko, Govce, WM11, 6. VII. 1980 (IL) (morph macaronius); Laøko, Ømohor, WM11, 11.-14. VII. 1990 (BK) (morph kolyvanensis); Lisca, WM20, 10. VII. 1972 (JA) (morph macaronius); Ljubljana, along the Sava banks, VM60, 18. VI. 1932 (IH) (morph macaronius); Ludranski vrh, Najevnik (1000 m altitude), VM94, 27. VII. 1980 (MJ) (morph macaronius); Medvode, Preska,

108 Duøan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)

Fig. 6: Distribution of Libelloides macaronius in Slovenia.

Fig. 7: Distribution of Libelloides longicornis in Slovenia.

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VM51, 25. VI. 1910, 1. VII. 1923, 29. VI. 1929, 22. VI. 1930 (MH) (morph macaronius); Nanos, VL27, 24. VII. 1983 (AØ) (morph kolyvanensis); Petrinje, nad Œrnim Kalom, VL14, 12. VII. 1974 (DD), 14. VII. 1975 (DD), 16. VI. 1976 (DD), 26. VIII. 1980 (DD), 11. VII. 1982 (DD), 14.-18. VI. 1996 (DD, FJ, BM, PP), 20. VII. 1996 (AÅ, KK, PP) (morph kolyvanensis and intermediates); Pod Stolom, VM34, 27. VII. 1919 (MH) (morph macaronius); Polhograjski Dolomiti: Grmada, VM40, 25. VII. 1982 (VF) (morph macaronius); Polhograjski Dolomiti: Topol, VM50, 19. VI. 1932 (JSta) (morph macaronius); Pomjan, VL03, 17. VI. 1996 (DD, FJ, BM, PP) (morph kolyvanensis); Seæana, VL16, 22. VII. 1981 (DD) (morph kolyvanensis and intermediates); Seæana: Povir, VL16, 17. VIII. 1982 (DD) (morph kolyvanensis); Seæana: Øtorje, VL16, 22. VII. 1981 (DD) (morph kolyvanensis and intermediates); Sorøko polje, Godeøka Dobrava, VM41, 10. VI. 1923 (MH) (morph macaronius). Distribution in Slovenia is shown in Fig. 6.

Libelloides longicornis (Linnaeus, 1764)

Adult morphology was described by Van Der Weele (1908), Dezaly (1960), Puissegur (1967), Monserrat (1977a, 1977b), Aistleitner (1980) and Aspöck et al. (1980). Zoogeography: Expansive Atlantomediterranean element.

Material examined: Kozjanski park, Vetrnik, WM40, 20. VII. 2004 1 male (SG, TB); Medvode, Preska, VM51, 29. VI. 1929 1 female (MH). First record for Slovenia. Distribution in Slovenia is shown in Fig. 7.

Hybrid Libelloides macaronius x longicornis

In Preska near Medvode both species occurred. Based on the pattern of wing coloration of a male from that locality one can suppose that the individual is a hybrid (Fig. 4).

Species omitted from the list of Neuroptera of Slovenia

Libelloides lacteus (Brullé, 1832) Synonym: Libelloides ottomanus (Germar, 1839) The species Libelloides lacteus, previously reported for Slovenia from Seæana (Devetak, 1984), is omitted from the list due to misinterpretation of its finding place. Despite of intense collecting of ascalaphids from the surroundings of Seæana the reported species has never been confirmed.

Endangerment of the owlflies of Slovenia

Both owlfly species are endangered in the Republic of Slovenia due to natural reforestation of meadows, pastures and other grassland ecosystems. Reforestation is a phase of natural process of succession. To preserve convenient places for owlflies such habitats should be maintained artificially. The widespread species, L. macaronius

110 Duøan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) is according to IUCN classification estimated as vulnerable (V) in Slovenia, and L. longicornis as a rare (R) species.

Discussion

Libelloides macaronius is widely distributed in Slovenia. It is common species in the submediterranean region. Considering the fact that Slovenia has a rich entomological tradition it is surprising that L. longicornis has been overlooked so far. In the future we can expect more findings of both species. Numerous forms or morphs of Libelloides macaronius were described but obviously they have no taxonomical value. Van der Weele (1908) united three distinct species, L. macaronius (Scopoli), L. kolyvanensis (Laxmann) and L. pupillatus (Rambur) in a typical form and five varieties. Táborský (1939) divided the species into two race groups, nine subspecies and thirteen forms. Most of his “subspecies” and forms are actually considered as individual aberrations. The continental part of Slovenia and particularly areas with higher altitudes are inhabited by the typical macaronius, and the submediterranean region of the country by kolyvanensis. In the submediterranean region often transitional forms were found. Finding of a hybrid Libelloides macaronius x longicornis may support assumption (Aspöck et al., 1980) that L. longicornis could be a subspecies of L. macaronius.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Slovenia (Grant No. P1-0078 Biodiversity). I would like to thank Prof. Dr. M. Gogala and Dr. V.J. Monserrat for their valuable suggestions and comments on a preliminary version of the manuscript. Thanks to all collectors for donation of the owlflies.

References

Aistleitner, E., 1980: Die Arten des Genus Libelloides Tjeder, 1972, der Iberischen Halbinsel (Neuroptera, Planipennia, Ascalaphidae). Taxonomie, Arealkunde, Phaenologie, Habitatwahl. Entomofauna. Zeitschrift für Entomologie, 1: 234-297. Aspöck, H., Aspöck, U., Hölzel, H. (Mitarb. H. Rausch), 1980: Die Neuropteren Europas. Eine zusammenfassende Darstellung der Systematik, Ökologie und Chorologie der Neuropteroidea (Megaloptera, Raphidioptera, Planipennia) Europas. 2 vols, 495 & 355 pp. Goecke & Evers, Krefeld. Aspöck, H., Hölzel, H., Aspöck, U., 2001: Kommentierter Katalog der Neuropterida (Insecta: Raphidioptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera) der Westpaläarktis. Denisia 02: 1-606. Czihak, G., 1956: Beiträge zur Anatomie des Thorax von Ascalaphus macaronius Scop., Myrmeleon europaeus McLach. und Palpares libelluloides Dalm. Zoologisches Jahrbuch für Anatomie und Ontogenie, 75: 401-432.

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Devetak, D., 1984: Megaloptera, Raphidioptera and Planipennia in Slovenia (Yugoslavia). Faunistical contribution. Neuroptera International, 3:55-72. Devetak, D., 1992: Present knowledge of the Megaloptera, Raphidioptera and Neuroptera of Yugoslavia (Insecta: Neuropteroidea). In: Canard, M., Aspöck, H. & Mansell, M.W. (eds.): Current Research in Neuropterology, Toulouse, pp. 107-118. Devetak, D., 1995: Deleproctophylla australis (Fabricius, 1787) in Istria and Quarnero (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae). Annales, Annals for Istrian and Mediterranean Studies, 7:193-198. Devetak, D., 1998: Libelloides ottomanus (Germar, 1817) in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula (Neuroptera, Ascalaphidae). Entomologia Croatica, 3 (1-2): 45-48. Devetak, D., Pirø, P., Janæekoviœ, F., 2002: Owl-fly Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763) in Slovenia and in the northwestern part of Croatia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae). Annales, Annals for Istrian and Mediterranean Studies, 12 (2): 219-226. Dezaly, F., 1960: Étude sur le Squelette céphalique et les Genitalias de deux Espèces d’Ascalaphes. Travaux Lab. Zool. Stn. Aquic. Grimaldi Dijon, 36: 1-16. Kis, B., Nagler, C., Mândru, C., 1970: Neuroptera (Planipennia). Fauna Republicii Socialiste România. Insecta: 8 (6), Academia RS România, Bucuresti. 343 pp. Monserrat, V.J., 1977a: Los Neurópteros del Guadarrama. Trabajos Cátedra de Artrópodos, Facultad de Biología Universidad Complutense Madrid, 19: 1-202. Monserrat, V.J., 1977b: Una nueva variedad de Ascalaphus longicornis L., en el sureste de España (Neuropt. Ascalaphidae). Graellsia, 31: 187-192. New, T.R., 1989: Planipennia. Lacewings. In: Fischer, M. (ed.): Handbook of Zoology. Vol. 4 Arthropoda: Insecta, part 30. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 132 pp. Popov, A., 2004: The Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera) of the Balkan Peninsula. Denisia, 13: 229-237. Puisségur, C., 1967: Contribution zoogéographique, anatomique et biologique à la connaisance de sept espèces et d’un hybride interspécifique d’Ascalaphus F. (Planip. Ascalaphidae). Vie et Milieu, 18: 103-158. Scopoli, I.A., 1763: Entomologia carniolica exhibens insecta Carnioliae indigena et distributa in ordines, genera, species, varietates. Methodo Linnaeana. J. Th. Trattner, Vindobonae. 415 pp. Sziráki, G., 1998: An annotated checklist of the Ascalaphidae species known form Asia and from the Pacific Islands. Folia Entomologica Hungarica, 54: 57-72. Táborský, K. 1939: Studie druhu Ascalaphus macaronius Scopoli. Œasopis Nar. Musea Praha, 113: 91-96. Van der Weele, H.W., 1908: Ascalaphiden monographisch bearbeitet. Collections Zoologiques du Baron Edm. de Selys Longchamps, 8: 326 pp.

Received / Prejeto: 22. 4. 2007

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