Oecologia Montana 2018, Diversity of communities (Insecta, ) 27, 7-20 above tree line in Belianske Tatry Mts. (Hlúpy tran- sect), the Western Carpathians

B. ENDEL knowledge about moths and butterflies. There is an abundance of research concerns butterflies (Rho- Institute of High Mountain Biology University of palocera), but few papers deal with each superfa- Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, SK-059 56, ; miliy which consist of less known species. While e-mail: [email protected] we were focused on all moths except for the well known group, Rhopalocera, we have been trying to assemble scattered studies or only short reports about Belianske Tatry and moths. In the past, Krampl and Marek (1988) sum- Abstract. The research is focused on the evalu- marized their sightings of the family Geometridae ation of lepidopteran fauna investigated above the quite thoroughly. The authors mention exact char- tree line in transect Hlúpy hill, which is situated in acteristic of all species from this family, including the central part of the Belianske Tatry Mountains. a description of altitudes where specimens were The investigation was carried out during 2016 and collected. This is important for our assessment of 2017. Light traps were used for trapping. Four to changes which have been occuring over the last five traps were run simultaneously at different al- 30 years. Many locations that were selected by titudinal gradients during four terms of night trap- us, are same as those which have been visited by ping. During the field investigation 203 species be- these authors, though nighttime trapping was not longing to 30 families were identified. Many of the conducted in the same place. Krampl and Marek species were discovered over night using ultraviolet (1988) conducted their night investigations mostly light. The most numerous test subjects came from in the vicinity of Plesnivec – Skalné vráta. This lo- the and Geometridae families. In total, cation is similar, but slightly warmer, and about 112 (55.72%) species and 2 127 (82.38%) individual 4 kilometres away from our study area, situated moths were captured belonging to these families. at a lower altitude (1 620 m) equal to that of the A few eurytopic species, mainly Noctua pronuba, easernmost hill at Belianske Tatry. Apamea monoglypha and Noctua fimbriata (Noc- New knowledge about communities in tuidae), were mos common, and significantly raised the zone above tree line of the Belianske Tatry the proportion of all moth individuals. These three range has been put together in our paper. Our species comprised 46.65% of all individuals collect- results, gained from two years of fieldwork, were ed. The presence of these very abundant species compared to those from older studies and unpub- may indicate disturbed habitats following the end lished manuscripts from the High Tatras. Our aim of grazing in the 1950-60s. is to evaluate changes in species composition in accordance with Krampl and Marek’s older study of Key words: Lepidoptera, mountains, alpine zone, subal- Geometridae (Krampl and Marek 1988), detect new zone, limestone, diversity partitioning species in the High Tatras, and an evaluation of the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Comparing should lead to an assessment of how different conditions influence moth communities in alpine habitats. Introduction

The species composition, to a large extent, is due to the character of rock substratum. This can be Material and Methods best seen in the rock swards of the High Tatras, where there are definitely more Lepidoptera spe- Description of the study area cies on lime than crystalline substratum (Buszko and Nowacki 2010). In the High Tatras there are Belianske Tatry constitutes it’s own mountain two lime areas with remarkable moth communi- range with a length of 14 km. The highest peaks ties – the largely inaccessible Červené vrchy in the are Havran (2 152 m), Ždiarska vidla (2 142 m) and central Tatras, as well as Belianske Tatry, which Hlúpy (2 061 m). Široké sedlo (1 825 m), in the mid- is a more suitable area for investigations, due to a dle of the range is the lowest peak on this ridge. location on the edge of Tatras with quick access. Nearby, Kopské sedlo (1 750 m) connects this geo- High Tatras National park is one of the best morphologic part with the High Tatras. The Zadné known parks in Slovakia with regard to recent Meďodoly valley borders the northeast side of the

7 © 2018 Prunella Publishers 8 B. Endel

Fig. 1. Study area with 19 sites where the night investigation was realised (bigger dots) and findings of the moths found by netting on evenings, mornings (smaller dots).

mountains and splits Belianske Tatry and the High vation. This method provides almost uniform con- Tatras. The Predné Meďodoly borders the south- ditions and results in same time for each sampling west side. While Belianske Tatry is composed of site. We worked with 4-5 traps overnight. Because dolomites and limestone, the High Tatras are most- of insufficient time for fast processing material, it ly formed of granodiorits (Kocian et al. 2010). was necessary to freeze samples until processing. Predné Meďodoly valley and changes in the For exact determination of species, we macerated landscape structure are described in detail by samples of abdomens in 10% potassium hydroxide Boltižiar (2006). A description of the second- and compare genital structures to the literature, ary vegetation succession in the Belianske Tatry using a stereomicroscope and a compound micro- Mountains three decades after extensive grazing scope. Afterwards, the preparates were preserved is provided by Hadač (1990). in glycerol filled tubes. The appendix lists which Our selected study area includes various mi- specimens were dissected. Part of the studied ma- crohabitats and microclimates with significant al- terial is displayed in the author’s private collection titudinal gradient. It is situated in the middle part or at the Institute of High Mountain Biology Tatran- of Belianske Tatry (Fig. 1, contain localities Predné ská Javorina unless stated otherwise. Meďodoly, Zadné Meďodoly, Kopské sedlo, Hlúpy, The following literature has been used for the Zadné Jatky, Monkova dolina) with an altitudinal determination of species: (Laštůvka range from 1 600 to 2 061 m. Each sampling site is and Laštůvka 1997; only tatrica – Tokár et distinguished by GPS coordinates measured by the al. 2017), Scythridae (Bengtsson 1997), Garmin Edge 510. The temperature was measured (Elsner et al. 1999; only Sattleria dzieduszycki – Po- directly at the study site, (Zadné Jatky, Hlúpy) and volný 2002), (Razowski 2008; Razowski other parameters like moisture and wind direction 2009), Pterophoridae (Nel 2003), Pyralidae and were taken from the Slovak Hydrometeorological (Slamka 2008), Drepanidae, Geometri- Institute (station Tatranská Javorina). dae (only Entephria nobiliaria – Hausmann and Vii- dalepp 2012), Sphingidae and Notodontidae (Fajčík Sampling and processing of moths and Slamka 1996), Noctuidae (Fajčík 1998), rest- ing families with help of an internet source (www. In this study, superfamilies were investigated as mothdissection.co.uk 2018). With determination of follows: Hepialoidea, , Gracillarioidea, species Micropterix aureatella, Incurvaria vetulella, Yponomeutoidea, Gelechioidea, Pterophoroidea, verhuella, Bijugis bombycella, Argyres- Choreutoidea, Tortricoidea, Pyraloidea, Lasiocam- thia conjugella, Elachista argentella, E. irenae, Bise- poidea, Bombycoidea, Geometroidea and Noctuoi- lachista zonulae, Coleophora striatipennella, Prolita dea. To collect material in the field bucked light sexpunctella, Scrobipalpula diffluella, lepidopter- traps were used (UV lights 12V/8W BLB connected ists Zdenko Tokár; Phyllonorycter junoniella Aleš by lead-acid batteries 12V/4.5Ah). Chloroform was Laštůvka; affinitata, Acronicta aceris, inserted into the buckets to immobilize the Noctua janthinana Marek Dvořák and and they were transferred to egg cartons for preser- astrantiae Jan Šumpich helped. 9 Each species collected in the night traps was Dominance species ni D Diversity of moths counted and listed in the matrix chart, and only communities in species observed directly using the entomological year 2016 Belianske Tatry net during the evenings or mornings were not in- cluded in this quantitative processing (Table 2, Fig. eudominant Apamea monoglypha 260 17.87 2, Fig. 3). In Table 2 are included both cases. (> 10%) Noctua fimbriata 150 10.31 dominant Noctua pronuba 122 8.39 Schedule of the field investigations (5-10%) Entephria caesiata 118 8.11 Mesapamea secalis 82 5.64 Altogether, 8 visits in the field were carried out. The subdominant Dioryctria abietella 68 4.67 samples were collected over a period of two years: (2-5%) Eulithis populata 67 4.61 July 11, August 20, and September 1 in 2016, and in uliginosalis 48 3.30 June 9, July 5, July 19, August 9, and August 15 in Xestia c-nigrum 35 2.41 2017. Sampling was conducted twice with the assis- Dasypolia templi 35 2.41 tance of Zdenko Tokár, and his findings fromJuly 5th recedent Platyptilia sp. 25 1.72 2017 and August 9th 2017 are included in this paper. (1-2%) Amphipyra berbera 21 1.44 11.VII.16 – quite windy during the day, calm and Triphosa dubitata 19 1.31 mild, with no wind in the evening, but in the Anaplectoides prasina 17 1.17 later part of the night, the winds began again. Perizoma minorata 17 1.17 Xanthorhoe montanata 16 1.10 20.VIII.16 – at noon, sunny. Shortly after noon wind- Diarsia brunnea 15 1.03 ier and cloudy. Afternoon to evening, gradually cleared with no wind. subrecedent 124 290 23.37 01.IX.16 – afternoon patchy clouds but calm, af- (< 1%) ternoon to evening calm westerly wind, that year 2017 stopped after dark though cloud cover in- creased and it became foggy. The second half eudominant Noctua pronuba 471 41.76 of the night, clear but windy. (> 10%) Udea uliginosalis 156 13.83 Noctua fimbriata 137 12.15 09.VI.17 – all day patchy cloud - cloudy, silent wind, warm. dominant Apamea monoglypha 65 5.76 05.VII.17 – cooler, windy, patchy cloud – cloudy, (5-10%) but on the peak of the hill and by descending subdominant Coenotephria salicata 39 3.46 partially silence. (2-5%) verberata 39 3.46 19.VII.17 – afternoon cloudy, in the evening completely Pharmacis sp. 31 2.75 clear almost calm, time to time windy over night. Entephria caesiata 25 2.22 09.VIII.17 – in the morning clear, by rising over the recedent Mesapamea secalis 14 1.24 Vyšné Kopské sedlo saddle toward Zadné Jatky (1-2%) Triphosa dubitata 14 1.24 created local foggy cloud from the valley. At the Noctua interposita 12 1.06 peak firstly foggy, letter by descending the fog subrecedent 53 134 11.08 disintegrated. Warm. (< 1%) 15.VIII.17 – in the evening cloudy, calm, after dark, gradually brightening till completely clear and Tab. 1 The survey of the species according to the scale quite a strong wind and cold over night. of classes of dominance, with numbers of the caught indi- viduals (ni) each year and value of dominance. Statistical analysis

For each spot we counted the total number of spe- proportion of all moth individuals. These three spe- cies (S) and individuals (ni). From the relative abun- cies made up 46.65% of all collected individuals. The dance of each species, we calculated alfa diversity presence of these very abundant species may indi- using Simpson’s diversity index which measures cate disturbed habitats. All three species develop the probability that two randomly selected indi- on different grasses, which are now expanding after viduals belong to the same species. Formula and the end of extensive grazing (about 1970) by mainly ranges of the abundance categories are taken over Calamagrostis cf. varia. It must be noted that abun- Losos et al. (1984). For other analysis (ANOVA) was dance of A. monoglypha was approximately 2 times used program STATISTICA 8.0 (StatSoft Inc. 2008). higher, N. pronuba 10 times higher, and N. fimbriata, 20 times higher on the north side of Zadné Jatky ridge than on the south side; although two compa- Results rable study plots were only a few metres apart. The division of observed species to dominant In our field investigation 203 species belonging to 30 classes shows an interesting detection. Over 2016, families were identified. The majority of species were there was the distribution of species with different discovered overnight, using ultraviolet light. Noctui- abundance quite equitable, while in 2017 few very dae and Geometridae, were the most numerous fam- abundant species from eudominant class prevailed. ily, and 112 (55.72%) species and 2 127 (82.38%) of all It could also be influenced by one sampling site collected moths belonged to these two families (Ta- situated on the north slope, close to ridge Zadné ble 1). The mass occurrence of a few eurytopic spe- Jatky, with the most spacious radius of ultraviolet cies, mainly Noctua pronuba, Apamea monoglypha light. If we look at species division, there is clear and N. fimbriata (Noctuidae), significantly raised the decline in subrecedent class in 2017. 10 B. Endel

Fig. 2. Number of individuals (A) and species (B) belonging to dominant classes.

The division of observed species to dominant the saddle directed to Zadné Jatky at the altitude classes shows an interesting detection (Fig. 2). approximately 1 950 m. Over 2016, there was the distribution of spe- cies with different abundance quite equitable, Callisto coffeella (Zetterstedt, 1839) – Gracilariidae while in 2017 few very abundant species from Material: 2 ex. 5.VII.2017, Belianska kopa eudominant class prevailed. It could also be in- Moths netted on the south foot of Belianska fluenced by one sampling site situated on the kopa over daytime. north slope, close to ridge Zadné Jatky, with the most spacious radius of ultraviolet light. If we Kessleria zimmermanni (Nowicki, 1864) – Ypo- look at species division, there is clear decline in nomeutidae subrecedent class in 2017. Material: 1 ex. 20.VII.2017, Zadné Jatky Only one moth was netted in the early morning hours on the ridge of Zadné Jatky close to the peak. Endemic species of Tatras.

Coleophora svenssoni Baldizzone, 1985 – Coleo- phoridae Material: the caterpillars in cases feeding on As- tragalus frigidus, 20.VIII.2016, Zadné Jatky Boreomontane species occurs, except for Belian- ske Tatry Mts., only in the and Lapland. The population in Belianske Tatry is the biggest in the Carpathians. Other informations were evaluated by Marek and Krampl (1990).

Sattleria dzieduszyckii (Nowicki, 1864) – Gelechiidae Fig. 3. Mean Simpson’s diversity indices (with 95 percent Material: 1 ex. 19.VII.2017, Zadné Jatky, UV confidence limits) in subalpine and alpine zone (9 and 7 Alpine species occuring mainly on granit basis of study plots evaluated). High and Low Tatras in range 1 700 – 1 900 m. (Tokár et al. 1996). Probably not native here, only infiltrated from the neighbouring granite zone. ANOVA analyse shows the differences in Simpson’s diversity index (Fig. 3). The lower value of index in Epinotia mercuriana (Frölich, 1830) – Tortricidae alpine zone could also be influenced by infiltration Material: 2 ex. 20.VIII.2016, Zadné Jatky; of a few very abundant species from lower altitudes 19.VII.2017, Kopské sedlo (from the north part). On an altitude of around 1 750 metres was recorded already in 19.VII., while on the ridge of the Zadné Jat- Description of selected findings ky was recorded one month later, 20.VIII. At the lower altitudes in subalpine zone, shows low abundance, at Rare species typical for high altitudes in Tatras the ridges was one of the most abundant species.

Stigmella tatrica (Tokár, Laštůvka and van Nieu- Argyroploce noricana (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) – kerken, 2017) – Nepticulidae Tortricidae Material: 1 ex. 9.VIII.2017, Zadné Jatky Material: 5 ex. 5.VII.2017, Zadné Jatky Arctoalpine species. Observed solely on the north splendidella (Heinemann, 1870) – Pro- slope of Zadné Jatky, with sparse vegetation. The most doxidae common moth in arctic tundra (Kullberg et al. 2013). Material: 7 ex. 5.VII.2017, Zadné Jatky Moths were observed on the ridge and south slope Eupithecia undata (Freyer, 1840) – Geometridae of Zadné Jatky peak and one under the Hlúpy near Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Kopské sedlo 11 One of the most remarkable species. We have dis- Catocala sponsa (Linnaeus, 1767) – Noctuidae Diversity of moths covered only a second individual in Tatras. Very Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Predné Meďodoly, UV communities in similar to species E. fennoscandica occurring on Very surprising finding in high mountains. The spe- Belianske Tatry cliffs in Lapland (Mironov 2003). cies occurs mainly in warm oak forests.

New species or unexpected species Amphipyra berbera Rungs, 1949 – Noctuidae Material: 21 ex. 11.VII.2016, more localities, UV; 2 The species have been compared to manuscripts ex. 19.VII.2017, UV of Slovak lepidopterists to reveal new species. The new species are signed by (*). * rectangula (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) – Noctuidae * bistrigella (Haworth, 1828) – Incurvari- Material: 1 ex. 19.VII.2017, Zadné Meďodoly, UV idae Local and rare species mainly in warm areas. Material: 1 ex. 5.VII.2017, Hlúpy, Tokár leg. Moth has been found near the path leading under Expected, but not confirmed species the peak Hlúpy, approximately at the altitude of 1 950 m. A very surprising finding in such high alti- Scythris oelandicella Müller-Rutz, 1922 – Scythridi- tude, where the host plant absents. The species is dae – all our dissected Scythrids belonged to spe- feeding on . Third finding in Slovakia. cies S. fallacella

*Psychoides verhuella Bruand, 1851 – Colostygia austriacaria ssp. distans (Krampl and- Material: 1 ex. 19.VII.2017, Zadné Meďodoly Marek 1991) – Geometridae Ocurring mainly in lower altitudes on limestones where Asplenium grows. Discussion *Scrobipalpula diffluella (Frey, 1870) – Gelechiidae Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Hlúpy, UV; 1 ex. In the study by Krampl and Marek (1988), species are 5.VII.2017, Hlúpy divided into three categories according to the altitudi- The first moth flew to the light trap under Hlúpy nal level: A – montane (1 000 – 1 450 m), B – subalpine – in altitude 1 860 m., the second was found on a (1 450 – 1 800 m) and C – alpine (1 800 – 2 000 m). We similar spot, but approximately 100 metres higher. focused specifically on the subalpine and alpine zone, Third place in Slovakia where the species occurs but our range of altitudes was slightly different: sub- (Tokár et al. 2015). alpine (1 550 – 1 850 m) and alpine level (1 850 – 2 000 m). In addition, our data were transformed for the pur- *Pennithera firmata (Hübner, 1822) – Geometridae pose of comparison. Also worth noting is that the most Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Zadné Meďodoly, UV significant stenotopic species from the Geometridae family are often heliophilous at high altitudes and these *Venusia blomeri (Curtis, 1832) – Geometridae species are not possible to find at night. This means Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Hlúpy, UV that great portion of Geometridae stenotopic species in One individual attracted to light. Quite rare spe- our study area might be compared. cies developing on Ulmus. The moth had to infil- Krampl and Marek (1988) collected 139 Geome- trate from neighbouring area, where the host plant trids from their entire study site in Belianske Tatry. grows, probably Ždiar. At an altitude of above 1 450 m, 71 species were con- firmed (69 from subalpine and 14 from alpine zone). *Cucullia asteris (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) – Our investigation (Table 2) revealed 41 Geometrids Noctuidae Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Predné Meďodoly, UV Although the species ascends to the mountains, the Cucullia is more thermophilous.

*Lacanobia aliena (Hübner, 1809) – Noctuidae Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Predné Meďodoly, UV; 1 ex. 19.VII.2017, Zadné Meďodoly, UV *Hadena compta (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) – Noctuidae Material: 1 ex. 11.VII.2016, Predné Meďodoly, UV

*Mythimna vitellina (Hübner, 1808) – Noctuidae Material: 3 ex. 1.IX.2016, Kopské sedlo, Hlúpy, UV Migrant from the Mediterranean, more common the last 20 years.

*Noctua interjecta Hübner, 1803 – Noctuidae Table 2. Pivot table for the family Geometridae. Bold num- Material: 4 ex. 19.VII.2017, Zadné Jatky, UV bers represent abundance categories, where 0 = no indi- Moths attracted to light on the ridge of Zadné Jat- vidual; 1 = 1 ni; 2 = 2-5 ni; 3 = 6-20 ni; 4 = 20-50 ni; 5 = ky. The species is spreading eastwards. So far, the above 50 ni (Krampl and Marek 1988). Shaded numbers rep- sixth locality of the species in Slovakia. resent number of occasions. Total compared species – 50. 12 from altitudes of above 1 600 m (33 from subalpine Acknowledgements B. Endel and 23 from alpine zone). While we focused mainly on the zone above the tree line, few species from the I would like to thank Ing. Zdenko Tokár who has helped altitude of 1 450 – 1 600 could be overlooked. For me in the field and with determination of many species. instance two – Perizoma incultaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1848) and Ematurga atomaria (Linnaeus, 1758) were observed only in this zone. (Hüb- Colostygia turbata References ner, 1799) was found at this and only one other site, bringing the total species observed to 43. Bengtsson, B.A. 1997: Scythrididae. In: Microlepidoptera We have not confirmed the presece of seven spe- of Europe, Vol. 2. (eds. P. Huemer, O. Karsholt and L. cies found by Krampl and Marek (1988) within our Lyneborg), pp. 301. Apollo Books, Stenstrup. study area: Colostygia kollariaria (Herrich-Schäffer, Boltižiar, M. 2006: Changes of high mountain landscape 1848), Melanthia alaudaria (Freyer, 1846), Spargania structure in the selected area of the Predné Meďodoly luctuata (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775), Eupithe- valley (Belianske Tatry Mts) in 1949–1998. Ekológia cia indigata (Hübner, 1813), E. tantillaria Boisduval, (Bratislava), 25: 16-25. 1840, Odezia atrata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Odontopera Buszko, J. and Nowacki, J. 2010: Fauna motyli (Lepidop- tera) polskich gór na tle pasm górskich Europy. Wiad. bidentata (Clerck, 1759). It should be mentioned that entomol., 29: 27-38. the rare species M. alaudaria have been observed Elsner, G., Huemer, P. and Tokár, Z. 1999: Die Palpen- by us at lower altitudes (up to 1 220 m). measured motten (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) Mitteleuropas. at Monková dolina. On June 9, 2017 it was the most Bestimmung-Verbreitung-Flugstandort-Lebensweise abundant species observed in Javorová dolina, while der Raupen. Slamka, Bratislava one year ago only one individual was observed. Fajčik, J. 1998: Motyle strednej Europy, II. zväzok/Die In contrast, according to our investigation, six Schmetterlinge Mitteleuropas, II. Band (Noctuidae). new species were identified that were not collect- Polygraphia SAV, Bratislava. Fajčík, J. and Slamka, F. 1996: Motýle strednej ed by Krampl and Marek (1988) in Belianské Ta- Európy: Drepanidae, Geometridae, , try: Biston betularia 1 (Linnaeus, 1758), Campaea Endromidae, Lemoniidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae, margaritaria 2 (Linnaeus, 1761), Chloroclysta miata Notodontidae, Lymantriidae, Arctiidae. Vol. 1. 3 (Linnaeus, 1758), Pennithera firmata 4 (Hübner, Slamka, Bratislava. 1822), Venusia blomeri 5 (Curtis, 1832) and the Hadač, E. 1990: Secondary vegetation succession in the higher stated Ematurga atomaria 6 (Linnaeus, Belianske Tatry Mts. three decades after grazing. Folia 1758). These are species that develop on plants Geobot. Phytotax., 25: 349-356. generally not native to the zone above the tree Hausmann, A. and Viidalepp, J. 2012: The geometrid moths of Europe. Vol. 3. Apollo Books. line, including: Betula 1; Fagus and other broad- Kocian, J., Bohuš, I., Ksiažek, J., Ładygin, Z., Grocholski, leaf trees and shrubs 2; , Salicaceae, M. 2010: Štíty a doliny. In: Tatry-príroda (eds. A. Koutná, Betulaceae 3; Pinus 4; Ulmus 5 and diverse plant B. Chovancová, Z. Ładygin and J. Šmatlák), p. 45. Baset. food (polyphagous species) 6 (Patočka and Kulfan Krampl, F. and Marek, J. 1988: K poznání fauny píďalek 2009). Therefore these species, except for E. atom- Belianskych Tater (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). Zborník aria are certainly not native to the study area and Prác Tatranského národného Parku, 28: 159-189. must have flown here from another location. Krampl, F. and Marek, J. 1991: A new subspecies of Co- When our catalogue of species is compared to lostygia austriacaria from the Tatra Mts, Czechoslova- kia (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). Acta entomol. Bohe- the from the paper by Turčáni et al. (1997) con- moslov., 88: 43-52. ducted in a neighbouring area in the Červené vrchy Kullberg,J., Filippov, B. Y.,Zubryj, N. A. and Kozlov, M.V. mountains, we found significant variation. A rela- 2013: Faunistic notes on Lepidoptera collected from arc- tive number of big species from Noctuidae are less tic tundra in European Russia. Nota lepid. 36: 127–136. abudant, while the authors also observe higher Laštůvka, A. and Laštůvka, Z. 1997: Nepticulidae Mittel- relative numbers of smaller species (for instance europas Ein illustrierter Begleiter. Konvoj, Brno. from the families Gelechiidae, Coleophoridae). Losos, B., Gulička, J., Lellák, J. and Pelikán, J. 1984: Ekologie živočichů. 1. vyd. Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, Praha. This data could indicate changes in moth commu- Marek, J. and Krampl, F. 1990: Coleophora svenssoni in nities. The opposite situation seems to be occur- central Europe, with notes on its biology (Lepidoptera, ing in the lowlands, where bigger species disap- Coleophoridae). Acta entomol. Bohemoslov., 87: 290-297. pear more rapidly than small species (pers. comm. Nel, J. 2003. Atlas des lépidoptéres Pterophoridae de Buschmann, Liška or other lepidopterists). . Association Roussillonnaise d’entomologie. Many species with high ecological value, that Suppléments á la Revue de l’Association Roussillon- are, generally very common, have been confirmed. naise d’Entomologie, France. Mironov, V. 2003: The Geometrid Moths of Europe. Volume 4: For instance Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) II ( and Eupitheciini). Apollo Books. and Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758) are com- Patočka, J. and Kulfan, J. 2009: Lepidoptera of Slovakia: mon and abundant almost everywhere in Slovakia, bionomics and ecology. Veda. Bratislava. without any special habitat requirements. Sight- Povolny, D. 2002: Iconographia tribus Gnorimoschemini ings of some nocturnal moth species in our study (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) Regionis Palaearcticae. area were remarkable and unexpected. Mainly Slamka, Bratislava. finding of thermophilous Noctuid Catocala sponsa Razowski, J. 2008: Tortricidae of the Palaearctic Re- (Linnaeus, 1767), which is very rare in the moun- gion, Volume 1 Tortricini and general part. Slamka, Bratislava. tains. It is spread mainly in oak forests of south Razowski, J. 2009: Tortricidae of the Palaearctic Region, Slovakia. Many of the observed species are typical Volume 2, Cochylini. Slamka, Bratislava. for mountain forests, which surround our Slamka, F. 2008: Pyraloidea of Europe (Lepidoptera), study area. The largest category is represented by Volume 2. & Schoenobiinae. Slamka, subalpine and alpine species. Bratislava. 13 Tokár, Z., Laštůvka, A. and van Nieukerken, E.J. 2017: A markable records of Lepidoptera from Slovakia in 1994. Diversity of moths new pygmy leafmining moth, Stigmella tatrica sp. n., Entomofauna carpatica, 8: 88-107. communities in from the alpine zone of the Tatra Mountains (Lepidop- Turčáni, M., Liška, J., Skyva, J. and Patočka, J. 1997: Lep- tera, Nepticulidae), Nota Lepi., 40: 131-140. idopteran fauna of the Červené vrchy mountains (the Belianske Tatry Tokár, Z., Laštůvka, A., Pastorális, G., Šumpich, J., Tatras National Park). Biologia, Bratislava, 52: 213-261. Štefanovič, R. and Elsner, G. 2015: Records of Micro- www.mothdissection.co.uk 2018: Moth Dissection UK. lepidoptera new to the fauna of Slovakia. Folia faunis- http://mothdissection.co.uk. (retrieved: 25.02.2018). tica Slovaca, 1: 37-47. Tokár, Z., Slamka, F. and Pastorális, G. 1996: New and re- Received 15 July 2018; accepted 6 September 2018.

APPENDIX

Appendix 1. Checklist of observed species: direct observations are not highlighted (+), findings from the light traps are bolded (+), dissected species (D), leg. et coll. Zdenko Tokár (ZT).

Supalpine zone Alpine zone Date Note

Family Species 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2016 2017 – – – – – – – – – 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2061 Micropterigidae Micropterix aureatella + + 5.VII (Scopoli, 1763) Hepialidae Pharmacis fusconebulosa + + 11.VII (de Geer, 1778) Ph. carna + + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Pharmacis sp. + + + 19.VII Hepialus humuli + 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Nepticulidae Stigmella aeneofasciella + 9.VIII ZT (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855) S. arbusculae + 5.VII ZT (Klimesch, 1951) S. tatrica + 9.VIII (Tokár, Laštůvka & van Nieu- kerken, 2017) Adelidae Cauchas rufimitrella + 5.VII D (Scopoli, 1763) Nematopogon robertella + 19.VII (Clerck, 1759)

Prodoxidae Lampronia rupella + 12.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) L. splendidella + + 5.VII (Heinemann, 1870) Incurvaria vetulella + + 5.VII D (Zetterstedt, 1839) 20.VII I. praelatella + 11.VII D (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Phylloporia bistrigella + 5.VII ZT (Haworth, 1828) Psychidae Bijugis bombycella + 5.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Epichnopterix sp. + 9.VI 14 Tineidae B. Endel Psychoides verhuella + 19.VII (Bruand, 1851) Gracillariidae Callisto coffeella + 5.VII (Zetterstedt, 1839) Phyllonorycter hilarella + 9.VI (Zetterstedt, 1839) Ph. junoniella + 20.VIII (Zeller, 1846) Yponomeutidae Kessleria zimmermanni + 20.VII (Nowicki, 1864) Swammerdamia compunctella + 5.VII D Herrich-Schäffer, 1855 Argyresthiidae Argyresthia glabratella + 5.VII ZT (Zeller, 1847) A. conjugella + + + 11.VII 19.VII D Zeller, 1839 Plutellidae Plutella xylostella + + + + + + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 20.VIII Rhigognostis marmorosella + 9.VI (Wocke, 1850) Glyphipterigidae Glyphipterix bergstraesserella + + 11.VII 5.VII (Fabricius, 1781) Agonopterix astrantiae + 1.IX (Heinemann, 1870) A. doronicella + 1.IX (Wocke, 1849) Elachistidae Elachista exactella + 5.VII ZT (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855) E. adscitella + 19.VII Stainton, 1851 E. albifrontella ( + 19.VII Hübner, 1817) E. argentella + 9.VI (Clerck, 1759) E. dimicatella + + + + + 11.VII 5.VII Rebel, 1903 19.VII E. irenae + + 11.VII 5.VII Buszko, 1989 9.VIII Biselachista zonulae + + + + + 5.VII Sruoga, 1992 20.VIII 19.VII 9.VIII Ethmiidae Orophia ferrugella + 12.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Scythrididae Scythris fallacella + + + + 11.VII 19.VII D (Schläger, 1847) 20.VIII 9.VIII D Coleophoridae 15 Coleophora frischella + 11.VII D Diversity of moths (Linnaeus, 1758) communities in C. svenssoni + 20.VIII Belianske Tatry Baldizzone, 1985 C. sylvaticella + 11.VII D Wood, 1892 C. virgaureae + + + + 11.VII D Stainton, 1857 C. striatipennella + 9.VIII Nylander, 1848 C. nubivagella + + 12.VII 5.VII Zeller, 1849 Gelechiidae bagriotella + + + + 11.VII (Duponchel, 1840) 20.VIII Prolita sexpunctella + 5.VII D (Fabricius, 1794) Scrobipalpula diffluella + + 11.VII 5.VII (Frey, 1870) Sattleria dzieduszyckii + 19.VII D (Nowicki, 1864) tripunctella + + + 11.VII 19.VII D (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 20.VIII Tortricidae Aethes smeathmanniana + + 11.VII 5.VII (Fabricius, 1781) Eana osseana + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Scopoli, 1763) 20.VIII 15.VIII 1.IX E. argentana + 1.IX (Clerck, 1759) E. penziana + + 1.IX 19.VII D (Thunberg & Becklin, 1791) Eulia ministrana + 5.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) rogana + 20.VIII (Guenée, 1845) C. senecionana + 9.VI (Hübner, 1819) Aterpia anderreggana + + + 12.VII 5.VII Guenée, 1845 A. corticana + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Apotomis sauciana + 5.VII ZT (Frölich, 1828) Phiaris schulziana + 5.VII (Fabricius, 1776) Ph. bipunctana + 11.VII (Fabricius, 1794) Argyroploce noricana + + 5.VII (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) Eriopsela quadrana + + 9.VI (Hübner, 1813) Epinotia mercuriana + + + + + + 20.VIII 19.VII (Frölich, 1830) 9.VIII E. tedella + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Clerck, 1759) Zeiraphera griseana + + 1.IX (Hübner, 1799) 16 Eucosma aspidiscana + + + 11.VII 9.VI B. Endel (Hübner, 1817) Epiblema turbidana + 19.VII D (Treitschke, 1835) Pseudococcyx mughiana + 5.VII (Zeller, 1868) Ancylis myrtillana + + 11.VII 9.VI (Treitschke, 1830) Lathronympha strigana + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Fabricius, 1775) 15.VIII Dichrorampha montanana + + 20.VIII D (Duponchel, 1843) 5.VII Choreutidae Anthophila fabriciana + 20.VIII (Linnaeus, 1767) Epermeniidae Phaulernis fulviguttella + + + + 5.VII (Zeller, 1839) Pterophoridae Platyptilia calodactyla + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Platyptilia sp. + + + 11.VII Pyralidae Dioryctria abietella + + + + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 1.IX Crambidae centuriella + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Eudonia vallesialis + + 5.VII (Duponchel, 1832) 19.VII E. sudetica + + + + 11.VII (Zeller, 1839) 20.VIII Crambus lathoniellus + 11.VII (Zincken, 1817) permutatellus + 11.VII D (Herrich-Schäffer, 1848) C. radiella + + + + + + 11.VII 9.VIII (Hübner, 1813) C. petrificella + + + + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Hübner, 1796) 19.VII alpestralis + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Fabricius, 1787) 19.VII Udea alpinalis + + + + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 19.VII U. uliginosalis + + + + + + + 5.VII (Stephens, 1834) 11.VII 19.VII 15.VIII U. decrepitalis + 11.VII (Herrich-Schäffer, 1848) Udea sp. + 11.VII Lasiocampidae Trichiura crataegi + 1.IX (Linnaeus, 1758) lobulina + 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 17 Sphingidae Diversity of moths Agrius convolvuli + + + 1.IX 15.VIII communities in (Linnaeus, 1758) Belianske Tatry Hyles gallii + 11.VII (Rottemburg, 1775) Drepanidae Thyatira batis + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Geometridae Biston betularia + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Alcis repandata + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Ematurga atomaria + 9.VI (Linnaeus, 1758) Campaea margaritaria + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1761) Charissa glaucinaria + 11.VII (Hübner, 1799) Elophos dilucidaria + 19.VII D (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) E. vittaria + 11.VII D (Thunberg & Sebaldt, 1792) E. operaria + 19.VII (Hübner, 1813) Psodos quadrifaria + + + 5.VII (Sulzer, 1776) Glacies canaliculata + 5.VII (Hochenwarth, 1785) G. noricana + 12.VII (Wagner, 1898) G. alpinata + 5.VII (Scopoli, 1763) Xanthorhoe designata + 9.VI (Hufnagel, 1767) X. spadicearia + + 11.VII 9.VI (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) X. montanata + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) X. fluctuata + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Epirrhoe molluginata + 11.VII (Hübner, 1813) Entephria nobiliaria + 19.VII D Herrich-Schäffer, 1852 E. flavicinctata + 19.VII D (Hübner, 1813) E. caesiata + + + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 1.IX 15.VIII Coenotephria salicata + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Eulithis prunata + + + 1.IX (Linnaeus, 1758) E. populata + + + + + + + + 20.VIII 9.VIII (Linnaeus, 1758) 1.IX 15.VIII Ecliptopera silaceata + 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Chloroclysta miata + + 1.IX (Linnaeus, 1758) 18 Dysstroma citrata + + 1.IX B. Endel (Linnaeus, 1761) D. truncata + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hufnagel, 1767) 1.IX Pennithera firmata + 1.IX (Hübner, 1822) Thera variata + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 1.IX D

Colostygia turbata + 19.VII (Hübner, 1822) Hydriomena furcata (Thun- + 1.IX berg & Borgstroem, 1784) Triphosa dubitata + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 1.IX 15.VIII Perizoma affinitata + 11.VII (Stephens, 1831) P. alchemillata + 11.VII D (Linnaeus, 1758) P. minorata + + + + + 11.VII 5.VII (Treitschke, 1828) 19.VII P. albulata + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) + + + + + + + + 20.VIII 9.VIII (Scopoli, 1763) 1.IX 15.VIII Eupithecia pyreneata + 11.VII D Mabille, 1871 E. undata + 11.VII D (Freyer, 1840) E. veratraria + + 11.VII D Herrich-Schäffer, 1848 E. absinthiata + 11.VII D (Clerck, 1759) Eupithecia sp. + 11.VII + 1.IX Aplocera praeformata + + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hübner, 1826) 1.IX 15.VIII Venusia blomeri + 11.VII (Curtis, 1832) V. cambrica + 11.VII Curtis, 1839 Notodontidae Notodonta ziczac + 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Noctuidae Acronicta aceris + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Catocala sponsa + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1767) Scoliopteryx libatrix + + 1.IX 15.VIII (Linnaeus, 1758) Polychrysia moneta + + 1.IX (Fabricius, 1787) Diachrysia chrysitis + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Autographa gamma + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 15.VIII A. pulchrina + 11.VII (Haworth, 1809) 19 A. bractea + + + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Diversity of moths 1.IX communities in Belianske Tatry Cucullia umbratica + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) C. asteris + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Amphipyra berbera + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII Rungs, 1949 A. tragopoginis + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Clerck, 1759) 1.IX Charanyca ferruginea + 11.VII (Esper, 1785) Euplexia lucipara + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Hyppa rectilinea + + + + 11.VII (Esper, 1788) Cosmia trapezina + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Sunira circellaris + 1.IX (Hufnagel, 1766) Dasypolia templi + + + + + + 1.IX 15.VIII (Thunberg & Sebaldt, 1792) Lithophane socia + + 1.IX (Hufnagel, 1766) Mniotype adusta + + + 11.VII (Esper, 1790) Apamea monoglypha + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) 1.IX A. crenata + + + + 11.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) A. lateritia + + + + 11.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) A. rubrirena + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Treitschke, 1825) Oligia strigilis + 11.VII D (Linnaeus, 1758) Mesapamea secalis + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII D (Linnaeus, 1758) Photedes captiuncula + + 19.VII (Treitschke, 1825) Lacanobia aliena + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hübner, 1809) L. oleracea + 1.IX (Linnaeus, 1758) L. thalassina + 11.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) Hada plebeja + + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1761) Hadena compta + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) H. confusa + 19.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) Melanchra persicariae + + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1761) Mamestra brassicae + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 15.VIII Polia hepatica + 11.VII (Clerck, 1759) Mythimna conigera + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) 20 M. ferrago + 11.VII B. Endel (Fabricius, 1787) M. albipuncta + + 1.IX (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) M. vitellina + + 1.IX (Hübner, 1808)

Cerapteryx graminis + + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 1.IX Eriopygodes imbecilla + + 11.VII 19.VII (Fabricius, 1794) Diarsia mendica + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Fabricius, 1775) D. brunnea + + + + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Noctua pronuba + + + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) 1.IX 15.VIII N. interposita + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hübner, 1790) 1.IX N. fimbriata + + + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Schreber, 1759) 1.IX N. interjecta + 19.VII Hübner, 1803 N. janthina + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Chersotis rectangula + 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Ch. cuprea + + 1.IX (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Rhyacia simulans + 11.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) Epipsilia grisescens + + 1.IX (Fabricius, 1794) Standfussiana lucernea + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Eurois occulta + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Opigena polygona + + 1.IX 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Xestia speciosa + + 11.VII (Hübner, 1813) X. alpicola + 19.VII (Zetterstedt, 1839) X. c-nigrum + + + + + + 11.VII 15.VIII (Linnaeus, 1758) 1.IX X. triangulum + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) X. baja + 11.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Anaplectoides prasina + + + + 11.VII 19.VII (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Agrotis ipsilon + + + + + 1.IX 19.VII (Hufnagel, 1766) Panthea coenobita + 11.VII (Esper, 1785) Calliteara pudibunda + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758) Arctia caja + + 1.IX (Linnaeus, 1758) Callimorpha dominula + 11.VII (Linnaeus, 1758)