LJUBLJANA, DECEMBER 2007 A REVIEW OF THE OWLFLIES OF SLOVENIA (NEUROPTERA: ASCALAPHIDAE) Dusan DEVET AK Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroska 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 Libelloides macaronius which is considered a common species, variability of wing coloration based on Slovenian individuals is described. First record of Libelloides longicornis 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 Izvlecek PREGLED METULJCNIC SLOVENIJE (NEUROPTERA: ASCALAPHIDAE) Za Slovenijo je potrjeno pojavljanje dveh vrst metuljcnic. Za pogostejso vrsto, Libelloides macaronius, je opisana variabilnost obarvanosti kril pri osebkih, ki izvirajo iz Slovenije. Vrsta Libelloides longicornis je prvic najdena v drzavi. Za tretjo vrsto je ugotovljeno, da je bila pomotoma navedena za Slovenijo. KLJUCNE BESEDE: Libelloides macaronius, Libelloides longicornis, obarvanost kril, razsirjenost, Slovenija Introduction The owlflies (Ascalaphidae) are large, dragonfly-like insects with long clubbed antennae and many-veined wings. The larvae are similar to the larvae of antlions, 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. 105 Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007 About 400 species in ca. 70 genera are known (New, 1989; Aspock et aI., 2001). In Europe 16 species occur (Aspock et aI., 2001). In the northwest part of the Balkan Peninsula 3 species in 2 genera are recorded: Deleproctophylla australis (Fabricius, 1787), Libelloides lacteus (Brulle, 1832) (syn. Libelloides ottomanus IGermar, 18391) and Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763). For the distribution of the species in NW Balkan see Aspock 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 insect 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. Camelutti (Je), A. Cehic (AC), D. Devetak (DD), M. Devetak (MD), V. Furlan (VF), Sabina Gomboc (SG), I. Hafner (IH), M. Hafner (MH), F. Janzekovic (FJ), M. Jez (MJ), M. Kaligaric (MK), K. Kirbis (KK), B. Kmecl (BK), V. Lesjak (VL), I. Lesnik (IL), B. Mencinger (BM), P. Pirs (PP), J. Staudacher (JSta), J. Stussiner (JStu), A. Sentjurc (AS), 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-t) ................................. .... .......... ................. ....... ....... .................. ........... ... ...... ........ morph kolyvanensis 106 Dusan Develak: A review of the o wlfli es o r S love nia (Nellroplera: A~ca l ap hida e) Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763) Scopoli (1763) described the species as Popilio mocoronills. Adult morphology was described by Van Oer Weele (1908), Taborsky (1939), Czihak (1956), Kis et a!. (1970), Aspock et a!. (1980) and Popov (2004). Distribution of the species is summarized by Aspock et a!. ( 1980, 200 I) and Sziniki (1998). Taborsky (1939) provided key for detennination of the morphs (?fonns) of L. mocoronius. Two morphs ("Ph ana" after Aspock et a!., 1980; "race groups" after Popov, 2004) are recognized in Europe but they have no taxonomical value as there is no cOlTelation between the geographical distribution and morphology. In the morph mocaronius veins in dark spots in forewings are yellow (Figs. 1, Sa-d). In the morph ko/yvonensis 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 kO/Yl'o nensis from Crni Kal and Petrinje in basal dark spots small light dots occur (Fig. Sf). Zoogeography: Expansive Pontomediterranean element. Literature records: Taborsky (1939); Oevetak (1984); Oevetak et a!. (2002). Material examined: Ankaran, VL04, 27.-29. VII. 1982 (MZ) (morph ko/yvonensis); Begunjscica, VM44, 10. VIII. 1919 (MH) (morph mocoronius); Bela Krajina: Oamelj, WLl3, 4. VII. 1980 (~O) (morph mocoronius); Bela Krajina: Vinica, WL23, 5. VII. 1980 (DD) (morph mocoronills); Cerknica, Menisija, VL47, 10. VII. 1966 (JC) (morph mocoronius); Crni Kal, VLl4, 11. VII. 1982 (DD) (morph ko/yvonensis and intermediates); Oragonja, UL93, 17. VI. 1996 (DO, FJ, BM, PP) (morph ko/yvonensis); Goricko: Cepinci, WM99, 28. VI. 1997 (DD) (morph mocoronius); Haloze: Cirkulane, WM73, 29. VI. 1997 (~O) (morph mocaronius); Izola, UL94, VI. 1982 (MK) (morph ko/yvonensis); Koper, Srmin, VL04, VII. 2002 (MO) (morph kO/YI'onensis); Kozjanski park, Vetrnik, WM40, 1. VII. 2004 (~O) (morph mocorollills); Krim, Gornji 19, VL58, 7. VII. 1974 (PT) (morph mocoronius); Kum, Fig. 1: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, Fig. 2: Libelloides macaronius (ScopoJi, 1763): morph macaronius, female; 1763): morph koiyvanensis, male; Grmada; length of the right forewing Petrinje; length of the right forewing 24mm. 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 c macaronius; e - f: morph kolyvanensis; g i intermediates between both morphs; a: Krim, Gornji Ig (male; 21 mm); b: Grmada (female; 24 e f mm); c: Cepinci (male; 21 mm); d: Grmada (female; 24 mm); e and f: Petrinje (females; 22 mm; 23 mm); g - i: Sdana (females; 24 mm; 26 mm; 24 mm). 9 h WMOO, 2. VIII. 1918 (MH) (morph macaronius); Kurescek, Zapotok, VL68, 24. VII. 1921 (JStu) (morph macaronius); Lasko: the surroundings of Lasko, WMl1, 30. VII. 1970 (IL) (morph macaronius); Lasko, Govce, WM 11 , 6. VII. 1980 (lL) (morph macaronius); Lasko, Smohor, WMll, 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 Dusan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) 517 50~*-~~~2-J __~-L __~~~ __~~~ __T-~~ __~~-..~~FY~U2~~ ______________~ 4 n Fig. 6: Distribution of Libelloides macaronius in Slovenia. 52 4 V 5 n ! 1 52 j r-f!'''.l-___ __ ._. ,19 ! l___ "''~ 19 IL~~ .~ _._"-'",, ; 1 8 l?"-.",,, r , ; ~ re. ! 7 .l~ ~\ ........,,-- f J"" - \- ""'" " .. "y._- : ."./\i c >....... ".. ~6 ,.. ""--...- R t,,/ b. r'\ M j ( 5" I ~~~::c ~ M f" ~ ~ /~ ~ ~ ~ 1\ [4 -- ~\>, r- 4 .. ~" ,,1 ; \ 14 ~~ "-->. r--.( 13 ' ""eLi '." 3 ... cr ~ -:..,,-~. .. " I~' r-"<""<',I "',,_. V 2.. ", .... , __ 12\"'-'" l/ 12 k """- L~ lU" 1" l~f 1 f I 1 i-" f·····-~" .. " 17 '''iSX''',-: ~~'.-- ~~. 12 KARTIRANJE FAVNE SlOVENIJE 5 10 11 [2 13 14 ~ tiLL k£=~ 0 ~,? !3 4 ~ I' .... 1 - ~19 -. r) L'~~:"'!/ is '~~--1 ( .' .. .!. f)~- :ff:-,- t\> '. 8 'C>-, J I· ~v< \. -"'''''''''''\. ../'.11./· .. ·• ~ ;:.-~l7 Z .r":: /' I "'... - """"-" [;},-~ ...>, ~ 6 __ k:, .~-'" "--",,, I .. ""' ....... ~? l fL~l) /}. 5 ! "r·,J".r r.;)- "" >'\..,,"\ /V ~I 4 i ..~ r--" 14,.... --- i" y~ )'~ ~ ~ '-~ ~ ~ ~ '-.1-""1 ----- flU 2", 5II l 2 f"r" 2 I IJ 4 ., " Fig. 7: Distribution of Libelloides longicornis in Slovenia. 109 Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007 VM51, 25. VI. 1910, 1. VII. 1923, 29. VI. 1929, 22. VI. 1930 (MH) (morph macaronius); Nanos, VL27, 24. VII. 1983 (AS) (morph kolyvanensis); Petrinje, nad Cmim Kalom, VL14, 12. VII. 1974 (DD), 14. VII. 1975 (DD), 16. VI.