Archiv der Entomologica Austriaca

Messor wasmanni is a harvester ant occurring in the southeastern Mediterranean region including the North Dalmatian island of Cres, where it settles in the central and southern area which is characterized by mediterranean climate. Within the local distribution area at the island, near Merag and Loznati in the north, in the middle area between Martisčica/Zaglav and Belej and in the southern part of the island near Osor and Punta Križa, comprehensive investigations on the ants’ biology, especially a qualitative and quantitative analysis of collected food items was performed in the years 2009 and 2010. As with all Messor species, the diet of M. wasmanni is chiefly composed of seeds (granivory) (90.9%), but they consume to a minimum animal remains (arthropods and snails) as well. Plant parts not serving as food are rejected and accumulate to chaff piles above the nest. These chaff piles were subject of a close analysis. They comprised 55 plant species belonging to 19 families. Furthermore, 21 types of dispersal units (diaspores) and plant parts were identified. Germinable seedsmadeup7.5%,indicatingthatharvesterantsmayplayanimportantroleinthe dynamics of plant communities by both acting as seed dispersal agents and as seed predators. The remaining 9.1 % consisted of animal remains and faeces of orthoptera. 43 animal taxa were identified. Gastropoda dominated with a relative frequency of 53 %, followed by Coleoptera (38 %). Animal remains may represent a complementary protein source in the diet, especially when seeds and fruits are scarce in spring and during periods of drought.

This study primarily investigated the phenology of alpine butterflies (Papilionoidea) occurring above the tree line during the vegetation period of summer 2016 in the Zillertal Alps (Austria). A second aspect was an assessment of the spatial distribution of butterflies and a description of the species composition in the various habitats over an altitudinal gradient of almost 700 meters in the alpine environment. Based on ‘Butterfly Monitoring Scheme’, the moni- toring method was modified to the alpine conditions of the area. A total of 35 species of butterflies with 1356 observations were recorded during 23 days between June 28th and August 15th 2016. Early flying species, e.g. Colias palaeno, Erebia pandrose, E. medusa and Callophrys rubi, were distinguished from butterflies which appeared later in the season, such as E. melampus, E. eriphyle and E. manto. Subalpine and alpine butterfly communities were distinguished along the altitudinal gradient. The spatial distribution of butterflies was assessed with a focus on representatives of the genus Erebia, which was analysed in 29 transects of the study area. Thus, Erebia pandrose appeared in late June to early July in all altitudes (1904–2580m a.s.l.), with a clear preference for higher altitudes. Erebia medusa belonged to those butterflies with an early flight season and occurred in lower and medium altitudes (1904–2384m a.s.l.). Erebia pharte was most abundant in the lower transects (1904–2209m a.s.l.), especially in the second half of the research period. Erebia melampus, E. manto and E. euryale were observed at the end of July with a main distribution in the lower altitudes (1904–2167m a.s.l.). Differences between the species in terms of temporal differentiation of the flight season and spatial distribution in the various habitats at different elevation were interpreted as aspects of niche partitioning.

The Lainzer Tiergarten is a nature reserve in the south- west of Vienna. The former imperial hunting grounds are now a public recreation area and well known for old oak forests and rare xylobiontic insects. Hitherto, the Hymeno- ptera fauna of the Lainzer Tiergarten has been largely unknown. Only one species of spider-hunting wasps was known from literature. An inventory project by the Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics tries to fill the gaps. Eighteen species of Pompilidae are recorded for the nature reserve. The most interesting species from a faunistical perspective are discussed: Arachnospila conjungens Kohl, 1898, Dipogon austriacus Wolf, 1964, Dipogon monticola Wahis, 1972, Poecilagenia rubricans (Lepeletier, 1845), Priocnemis cordivalvata Haupt, 1927, and Priocnemis hankoi Móczár, 1944. Three species are new to the fauna of Vienna: Auplopus albifrons (Dalman, 1823), Dipogon monticola, and Evagetes siculus (Lepeletier, 1845). Four further species are confirmed for Vienna: Anoplius nigerrimus Scopoli, 1763, Cryptocheilus notatus (Rossi, 1792), Dipogon bifasciatus (Geoffroy, 1785), and Priocnemis cordivalvata. There are now 38 species of spider-hunting wasps recorded from Vienna.

The Cardinal occures in Austria only as rare migrant. The knowledge concerning immigration and distribution is enlarged through historical records from collections and new sightings. In the last 20 years the species due to exceptionally warm years is recorded increasingly already in June. There are no resident populations in Austria yet but this fact could probably change in the foreseeable future with climate change.

Charipinae collected from different localities in Austria have been revised. In total, 162 specimens have been assigned to 18 species: Alloxysta arcuata, A. brachy- ptera, A. brevis, A. castanea, A. consobrina, A. curta, A. fracticornis, A. fuscipes, A. halterata, A. obscurata, A. macrophadna, A. mullensis, A. pilipennis, A. pusilla, A. ramulifera, A. victrix, Phaenoglyphis villosa and P. xanthochroa. Of these species 9 are cited for the first time from Austria. Only 15 species were previously known from this country, thus now there are 25 Charipinae species recorded for Austria. Besides a diagnosis and morphological features for those new records, also a key for the Charipinae present in Austria is provided.

The palm-borer Paysandisia archon was first recorded from Austria by a single specimen in Wiener Neudorf south of Vienna on August 1st 2017. Probably the species has been imported with palms from southern Europe.

Parasitic ants, endemic beetles, and many further invertebrates from the Biosphere Reserve Nockberge (Carinthia): The fourth insect camp was organized by the Entomological Society of Austria (ESA) from 20th to 25th of July 2017. 25 people with sincere interest in zoology participated. Many of those are recognized experts specialized on different arthropod groups. 25 localities in the Biosphere Reserve Nockberge were investigated for its invertebrate fauna. A total of 400 species were identified and are listed as follows: Insecta: 10 Auchenorrhyncha, 12 Heteroptera, 10 Orthoptera, 1 Blattodea, 175 Coleoptera, 23 Lepidoptera, 16 Trichoptera, 1 Meco- ptera, 38 Diptera, 48 Hymenoptera; Crustacea: 2 Isopoda; Arachnida: 14 Opiliones, 31 Araneae, 3 Pseudoscorpiones; Annelida: 4 Oligochaeta; Mollusca: 12 Pulmonata species. 22 endemic or subendemic taxa of Coleoptera, Opiliones, Aranaea, and Pseudoscorpiones were collected. The social parasitic ant Leptothorax goesswaldi Kutter, 1967 was found in Austria for the first time.