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Biodiversity and biogeographical characteristics of family Arctiidae (Insecta, Lepidoptera) in Croatia

Exploration of the fauna of the territory of Croatia began in the first half of the 19th century, and with some interruption has continued until today. The interest of entomologists was concentrated on the continental-lowland and Mediterranean regions, largely because of the better road connections. As a result, the central-mountainous region was neglected. Early investigation included the whole group of Macrolepidoptera (rarely Microlepidoptera). A significant amount of faunal data can also be found on the Arctiidae family. The primary objectives of this study were to estimation distribution, biodiversity and biogeographical characteristics of family Arctiidae in Croatia. Therefore, analysis of literature, analysis of entomological collections and collected material were done. Additional objective was comparison of researched fauna with faunal data from Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Italy. Geographically, Croatia consists of three major areas: lowland continental area, central- mountain area and Mediterranean area. Each of these areas has specific characteristics of climate, soil and vegetation which has essential influence on composition and structure of tiger moths fauna. It is estimated 50 species of tiger moths for Croatia, what makes 50% of European fauna. Some species were estimated only due to distribution maps, so future investigations are obligatory. Some species occurred only in certain regions, so 10 species are estimated only for continental- lowland region while only 1 species for central-mountain region. According to literature data and entomological collections the rarest species of tiger moths were: Nudaria mundana L., Pelosia muscerda Hufn., Eilema lutarella L., Pericallia matronula L., while the most abundant species were: Phragmatobia fuliginosa L., Spilosoma lubricipeda L., Diacrisia sannio L. and Arctia villica L. The most interesting faunal finding is species Rhyparioides metelkana (Lederer, 1861), first time for Croatia and southern Europe. Mutual comparison of faunal data for Croatia and other neighbouring countries showed that Italy had the most diverse fauna of tiger moths within all investigated countries. Austria had all species of tiger moths that can find also in fauna of Italy. There were estimated only 1 species in Hungary and 3 species in Croatia that differed from faunal data of tiger moths in Italy. Biogeographical analysis showed domination of Eurosibiric faunistic elements due to ecological characteristics and geographic location of Croatia. In the Mediterranean the amount of oriental species was higher than in continental-lowland region, based on climatic and vegetation characteristics.

Arctiidae ; Biodiversity ; Biogeography

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