Erwin Schäffer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Erwin Schäffer

Data for the fauna of the moths of the Republic of San Marino (Lepidoptera: „Macroheterocera“) (2... more Data for the fauna of the moths of the Republic of San Marino (Lepidoptera: „Macroheterocera“) (2nd European Moth Nights 2005). – Data regarding the moths („Macroheterocera“) collected with lamps by the authors in three localities of the Republic of San Marino are made known. Research was carried
out during the 2nd European Moth Nights (= EMN) on 4th July 2005. They are perhaps the first thorough catches of moths in this country (but further research is being carried out). The three localities are „Chiesanuova, La Venezia: Rio della Fratta“, „San Marino, Monte Cucco: meadow“ and „San Marino, Monte Cucco: wood“. Altogether 157 species were recorded (but the validity of the species Noctua janthe BKH. is strongly doubtful), in each locality respectively 75 (without janthe: 74), 95 and 106. The overall characteristics of the findings of
each site are summarized and the most meaningful taxa are briefly commented: Cilix hispanica PÉREZ DE GREGORIO et al., 2002, Eumannia lepraria (REBEL, 1909), Idaea infirmaria (RAMBUR, 1833), Eupithecia graphata (TREITSCHKE, 1828), Zanclognatha zelleralis (WOCKE, 1850), Catocala nymphaea (ESPER, 1787), Hypena palpalis (HÜBNER, 1796), Cosmia diffinis (LINNAEUS, 1767), Chortodes sohnretheli (PÜNGELER, 1907) (perhaps only a subsp. of Ch. morrisii DAHLE, 1937), Mythimna sicula (TREITSCHKE, 1835) and Noctua janthe (BORKHAUSEN, 1792) (probably only a form of N. janthina (DENIS &
SCHIFFERMÜLLER, 1775)).

Results of the macro moth research in the Republic of San Marino, 2005-2011 (Lepidoptera: „Macroh... more Results of the macro moth research in the Republic of San Marino, 2005-2011 (Lepidoptera: „Macroheterocera“).
The authors report about the macro moth fauna in the region of the small Republic of San Marino (60.57km²) on the side of the Adriatic sea of the Appenine peninsula. Between 2005 and 2011 nine excursions were accomplished at multiple locations, mostly simultaneously, resulting in 23 nights of personal macro moth collecting with the aid of light sources. Thus, the total amount of collecting nights adds up to 82 (tab.2). The authors collected specimens at 13 locations between one to maximal nine times and have continued their research in 2012.
Collecting was accomplished by Rezbanyai-Reser (see picture 26, 33-35) and Schäffer (see picture 7, 25, 34-36) whereas Flamigni (see picture 35) joined them only once in 2005. The determination (system and nomenclature after Karsholt & Razowski 1996) was mainly accomplished by Rezbanyai-Reser but in a small proportion also by Flamigni. The evaluation was on principle accomplished by Rezbanyai-Reser, whereas some
comments on the remarkable species are by Flamigni. Part of the collection is found in the private collection of Schäffer in Luzern, a small part from 2005 in the private collection of Flamigni in Bologna. A considerable part however (so far about 1’600 specimens) is situated in the collection of the “Museo di Storia Naturale” and “Centro Naturalistico Sammarinese” in Borgo Maggiore, respectively (see picture 32-34). - In the latter collection numerous preserved specimens of other insect categories were deposited (Microlepidoptera, Coleoptera,
Neuroptera, Mecoptera, Rhaphidioptera, Heteroptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Blattodea, Dermaptera,
Orthoptera, Mantodea, so far about 5’000 specimens – and Trichoptera in alcohol), that were attracted by light during the excursions mentioned.
Besides the author’s light catches a small amount of macro moths are considered, which were collected by Paul
Grotenfelt (1912-2007) in San Marino between 1980 and 1981. They can be found in the Zoological Museum of Helsinki in Finland.
The total number of Macroheterocera species known to us (inclusively Zygaenidae and Psychidae) from the Republic
of San Marino by the end of 2011 amounts to 464 (tab.1 and 17). The authors were able to record 450 of those between 2005 and 2011 whereas further 14 come from the collection of Grotenfelt (tab.4), which contains a total of 96 Macroheterocera species from San Marino altogether (tab.7). Although some catches were unsatisfying due to bad weather conditions, a total amount of 24’869 Macroheterocera specimens could be recorded (tab.1).
The 13 research sites (between 135 and 430 meters above sea level) are shortly described (location, vegetation, collecting method) and partly presented in maps or pictures. The results are shown in detailed tables whereas the most remarkable species and the most important infrasubspecific forms are also discussed in the text (see chapter 8 and 9).
The authors wish to thank the following people for their support (chronological order like in the text, chapter 2):
Andrea Suzzi Valli (picture 7 and 34), Director of the “Museo di Storia Naturale” and “Centro Naturalistico Sammarinese” in Borgo Maggiore, also Glauco Busignani (picture 36), Sandro Casali, Loris Casali, Davide Mina (picture 7 and 36), Davide Santi, Maddalena Bevitori, Denis Vallan, Britta Allgöwer, Denise
Wyniger, Erik J. van Nieukerken, Lauri Kaila, Jaakko (Jaska) Kullberg, Arno Kullberg (picture 39-40), Pekka Tokola (picture 39-40), Peter Hättenschwiler, Edgardo Bertaccini, Alberto Zilli, Gerti Heim, Axel Hausmann, Ulf Buchsbaum, Hans Malicky, Marco Bernasconi, Diana Reser, Harald Schreiber and Jürg Schmid.
Annotation: a well described general characterization (including vegetation) of the natural habitats of the Republic
of San Marino can be found in the Italian publication of Suzzi Valli & Casali 2008. Further important information about the weather and climate (including the relation between climate and vegetation) and the development of the climate throughout the last years can be found in Santi 2008, Suzzi Valli 2008 and Guerra 2008.