Distribution of Bittacus species in Central and South-eastern Europe
A new publication has been published by Marcell Kárpáti and Levente-Péter Kolcsár titled 'Contributions to the distribution of European Bittacidae (Mecoptera): New records of Bittacus italicus and B. hageni in Central and South-eastern Europe'.
The izeltlabuak.hu website primarily focuses on arthropods found in Hungary. This entry also deals with Hungarian fauna.
About the study
The study presents new data on the distribution of two European species of the hangingfly family (Bittacidae): Bittacus italicus and Bittacus hageni. This is a globally rare family with a low number of species, with only two species occurring in Europe. Although both species have relatively wide distribution ranges and are quite conspicuous, they are still considered rare and are listed as protected species in many countries.
The study presents new occurrence data from Albania, Austria, Hungary, North Macedonia, and Romania, using 12 examined specimens and data from two online citizen science platforms (iNaturalist.org and izeltlabuak.hu). The first North Macedonian occurrence data for Bittacus hageni are reported, which is also the southernmost Balkan occurrence record. The study also includes an updated distribution map that includes verified observations from both platforms.
Source
Affected species:
- order: Mecoptera
- family: Bittacidae
- genus: Bittacus
- species: Bittacus italicus
- order: Mecoptera
- family: Bittacidae
- genus: Bittacus
- species: Bittacus hageni