engleski

Croatian vernacular names for dragonflies: review and discussion proposal

Due to amoast 15 years of research on dragonflies of Croatia, several dragonfly vernacular names were recorded: čavli, helikopteri, konjske smrti, perle, predikudije, staklari, sverdići, vilenjaci, vilini konjici, vretenca and zmijaci. Local people mostly can recognize distinction, as they say, between "young" (Zygoptera) and "adult" (Anisoptera) dragonflies. Although, none of these names are connected to particular species, genus and/or family, it seems that these terms are used mostly for representatives of Anisoptera. Croatian odonatological names, as much as we know, are for the first time brought out in very enjoyable insect monograph written in fine archaic Croatian language (KIŠPATIĆ 1886, 1887). Within the existing Croatian vernacular names for dragonflies there is general confusion and inconsistency. For Croatia, thus far 73 species of dragonflies were recorded. For only 24 of them it is possible to associate it with Croatian name. Along with 13 other taxonomic categories it is altogether 37 taxons to which Croatian vernacular names can be affiliate. Therefore, the forthcoming list proposal of vernacular names was attempt made to initiate efforts for inventory, processing and formation of odonatological and then general entomological terminology in Croatia.

Dragonfly; vernacular name; biodiversity

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