Archiv der Entomologica Austriaca

In order to evaluate the importance of grazing on Alpine pastures for butterflies, we investigated 66 sample plots situated on 13 pasture areas at elevations ranging from 830–1780m a.s.l. in the Gesäuse National Park. All sample plots were surveyed three times during the growing season 2011. Butterfly sightings and various environmental variables were recorded and their interrelationships evaluated using multivariate models (GLM, GLMM, distLM). Overall, we observed 66 butterfly species. Species richness decreased with elevation, but was not related to grazing intensity. Butterfly activity density increased with the availability of nectar plants and diminished at higher grazing intensity, but was not related to elevation. Species composition of butterfly communities was most strongly affected by elevation, but was also significantly shaped by grazing intensity and nectar availability. Species that thrive in anthropogenically transformed habitats became more prevalent at higher grazing intensity, whereas habitat specialists concomitantly decreased.

Aim of the study was to evaluate restoration measures on the river Inn in Tyrol. Therefore carabid beetles as bioindicators had been investigated at a restoration site and at a nearby and near-natural area which had been considered a reference area. Furthermore, existing data of carabids that had been explored before the restoration measures were also compared with the actual situation. The reference area turned out to be of high quality inhabiting a diverse and specialized carabid coenosis of exposed riverine sediments including numerous endangered species. These species were considered as potential initial species for the recolonialisation of the newly created areas at the restoration site. The recently nished restoration site has been quickly colonised by typical pioneer species. The before and after comparison of the situation could show both a redistribution in species composition and abundance, and the establishment of new and highly ambitious ground beetles. The comparison with the reference area, however, could prove that numerous species were still missing at the restoration site. Missing species consisted mainly of psammophilous beetles that inhabit areas more distant from the shoreline, but also of some species that inhabit the gravel banks at the shoreline.

In the course of this study a list of all Auchenorrhyncha species hitherto recorded for the Gesäuse National Park was compiled for the first time. For all 190 species first collector(s) as well as geographical coordinates of the collecting sites are given. 24 species are recorded as new for this locality and one species, Wagneriala incisa, is published for the first time for the state of Styria. Additionally, the results of recent collections on localities investigated during the Biodiversity Day 2013 are presented.

Observations on a population of Rhagonycha fulva in Lower Austria revealed an infestation with ectoparasitic larval mites of the genus Trombidium (Trombidiidae). Taking into account the ambiguous results of previously published works on sexual selection in connection with parasitism, the aim of this study was to determine (1) if and how the presence, abundance and location of ectoparasites on the host’s body coincide with mating status in this particular host, and furthermore to determine (2) if parasitic load correlates with additional characters such as sex and body-size. Microscopic assessment of the number and location of mites on the host’s body as well as measurements of the right metathoracic femur led to the following results: Significant differences were found in the distribution and abundance of ectoparasites between mated male and female host as well as a disassortativity of parasite presence within mated couples. Larger mated males were observed to carry fewer parasites than smaller male specimens. While female size alone did not directly influence parasitic load, the cumulative number of larval mites in a mated couple decreases significantly with increasing female size. These findings and their putative biological implications for the species are discussed in light of existing theories.

The mouthparts of adult Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, 1813) (Pyralidae) were investigated using LM and SEM for the first time. Larvae of the Indian meal moths are regarded to be a common pest on stored food products. The adults are used as experimental organisms in laboratory since they are easily to breed without feeding the adults but it is doubtful whether they can feed at all. The mouthparts are similar to other higher Lepidoptera that exhibit a functionally intact feeding apparatus. The galeae form the proboscis measuring about half the body length. The distal proboscis exhibits an intake region near the tip that might lead fluid into the food canal. The proboscis bears numerous microtrichia and the characteristic sensillae of glossatan Lepidoptera, i.e. aporous trichoid sensilla, uniporous sensilla basiconica and sensilla styloconica in the tip-region, as well as a second type of sensilla basiconica inside the food canal. Two sets of internal galeal muscles, along with a nerve and tracheae are present inside the galeae. The labial palps feature a pit organ (“Von-Rath-Organ”) located subterminally in the third segment. Although adult moths never have been reported to feed under laboratory conditions, they possess a complete and fully equipped proboscis.

Am 6. September 2014 feierte Franz Lichtenberger in Waidhofen an der Ybbs seinen 75. Geburtstag, ein willkommener Anlass, das entomologische Wirken des Jubilars verbunden mit einigen persönlichen Fakten im Schaufenster der Zeitschrift Entomologica Austriaca vorzustellen und ihm auf diesem Wege Glückwünsche zu übermitteln.

On March 30, 2014, Sakis Drosopoulos, our esteemed colleague and dear friend for many years, passed away after a brief illness at age 69. He is survived by his wife Hanneke, his son Spyros, his daughter Loukia, his granddaughter Laura, and his brothers Giorgos and Kostas. Sakis will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, and here we take the opportunity to celebrate his life once again, a life which did not have an easy start.

In order to counteract the loss of taxonomists and people with species-specific knowledge of the native invertebrate fauna, an “insect camp” was held by the Entomological Society of Austria from 21.–27.07.2014. All in all, 40 people with sincere, interest(s) in nature and zoology took part. Nine recognized experts specializing on different groups of arthropods gave talks and guided the participants through 16 research areas. Taxonomic determination of the collected material was mostly done by the participants and experts during the event. A total of 472 species was identified and is presented here: 5 Ephemeroptera, 14 Odonata, 34 Auchenorrhyncha, 39 Heteroptera, 1 Mantodea, 22 Orthoptera, 148 Coleoptera, 100 Lepidoptera, 1 Diptera, 34 Hymenoptera, 1 Isopoda, 45 Araneae, 10 Opiliones, 1 Bivalvia and 17 Gastropoda species.