The westernmost Slovenian record of Common Glider
Neptis sappho (Pallas, 1771) (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera)
NAJZAHODNEJŠA NAJDBA MALEGA KRESNIČARJA NEPTIS SAPPHO (PALLAS, 1771) (LEPIDOPTERA, RHOPALOCERA) V SLOVENIJI
Vid ŠVARA, Maistrova 6, SI-2380, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia; E-mail: vid.svara@gmail.com
The range of the Common Glider (Neptis sappho) stretches from the eastern part of Asia to the eastern part of Italy (Gorica region) (Tolman & Lewington 2009). In Slovenia, it has a disjunct distribution (Jutzeler et al. 2000). It is more widespread in the east, especially in NE Slovenia. In the western part of its range, it is limited to the lower part of the Soča and Vipava Valleys (Verovnik et al. 2012). It usually has two generations, with sporadic occurrence of third generation in warmer areas of its distribution. In Slovenia, adults are on the wing from the end of April until mid-September (Verovnik et al. 2012). Most commonly used larval host plants in Europe are Lathyrus niger and Robinia pseudacacia (Jutzeler et al. 2000). Both are widespread and common in Slovenia (Jogan et al. 2001) and are not a limiting factor for distribution of the Common Glider. Due to the utilization of the invasive tree Robinia pseudacacia, which is widespread in Slovenia, the Common Glider is possibly still expanding its range and is therefore not considered threatened (Verovnik et al. 2012).
During a short visit of the Nadiža Valley on 3rd August 2012, a Glider was spotted flying along the river bank under the Napoleon Bridge near Logje village (GKY: 379956; GKX: 121705). When it settled on a rock, it was clear that it had two parallel white bands on the hind wings and was therefore recognized as the Common Glider. This
species was first found in the upper Soča valley in 2005 by Zakšek (2006) near one of the small streams flowing into the Soča south of Kobarid. This is approximately 15 km away from the newly discovered site. It is still unclear how the species reached this part of Slovenia. One possibility could be through the Nadiža Valley from Italy, where the closest record of this species comes from San Pietro al Natisone, 12 km to the south (Jutzeler et al. 2000).
The Nadiža Valley under Logje village should suit the Common Glider (Fig 1). However, during that day no larval host plant was seen in the vicinity of the river bank, therefore the presence of a larval habitat and permanent local population at that site should be further investigated.
References
Jutzeler D., Hottinger H., Malicky M., Rebušek F., Sala G., Verovnik R. (2000): Biology of Neptis saphho (PALLAS, 1771) based on the monograph by TIMPE & TIMPE and its actual distribution and conservation status in Austria, Italy and Slovenia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Linn. Belg. 8: 315-332.
Jogan N., Bačič T., Frajman B., Leskovar I., Naglič D., Podobnik A., Rozman B., Strgulc-Krajšek S., Trčak B. (2001): Gradivo za atlas flore Slovenije, Materials for the atlas of flora of Slovenia. Center za kartografijo favne in flore, Miklavž na Dravskem polju, 443 pp.
Tolman T., Lewington R. (2009): Butterflies of Britan and Europe. Harper Collins publisher, London, 384 pp.
Verovnik R., Rebušek F., Jež M. (2012): Atlas dnevnih metuljev (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) Slovenije, Atlas of buterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Slovenia. Center za kartografijo favne in flore, Miklavž na Dravskem polju, 456 pp.
Zakšek V. (2006): Biološko raziskovalni tabor »Breginj 2005«. Zavod RS za varstvo narave, Ljubljana, 78 pp.
Figure 1. Nadiža valley near Logje village, where Common Glider Neptis sappho was observed (photo: Vid Švara). Slika 1. Dolina Nadiže pod vasjo Logje, kjer je bil opažen mali kresničar Neptis sappho (foto: Vid Švara).