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A REVIEW OF THE OWLFLIES OF SLOVENIA (NEUROPTERA:
ASCALAPHIDAE)
Duøan DEVETAK
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University
of Maribor, Koroøka 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
e-mail: dusan.devetak@uni-mb.si
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
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, 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.
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ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA SLOVENICA
LJUBLJANA, DECEMBER 2007 Vol. 15, øt. 2: 105–112
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 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. 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
Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007
106
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,
Duøan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)
107
Fig. 1: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli,
1763): morph macaronius, female;
Grmada; length of the right forewing
24 mm.
Fig. 2: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli,
1763): morph kolyvanensis, male;
Petrinje; length of the right forewing
21 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,
Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007
108
Fig. 3: Libelloides longicornis (Linnaeus,
1764), male; Vetrnik; length of the right
forewing 21 mm.
Fig. 4: Hybrid Libelloides macaro nius x
longicornis; male; Preska; length of the
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).
Duøan Devetak: A review of the owlflies of Slovenia (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)
109
Fig. 6: Distribution of Libelloides macaronius in Slovenia.
Fig. 7: Distribution of Libelloides longicornis in Slovenia.
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
Acta entomologica slovenica, 15 (2), 2007
110
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.
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