NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 Prejeto / Received: 23. 12. 2022 
SCIENTIFIC PAPER Sprejeto / Accepted: 12. 5. 2023 
 
DOI: 10.14720/ns.25.1.5-25 
 Biotehniška fakulteta Univerze v Ljubljani in Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo, Ljubljana, 2023 
 
 
 
Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna 
(Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Central Slovenia 
 
 
Luka ŠTURM
1*
, Andrej PETERNEL
2
, Jure ZAMAN
2
, Rudi VEROVNIK
3 
 
 
1
Department of food science and technology, Biotechnical faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101,  
SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; E-mail: lukalory@gmail.com, luka.sturm@bf.uni-lj.si 
2
Fisheries research institute of Slovenia, Spodnje Gameljne 61a, 1211 Ljubljana - Šmartno; E-mails: 
andrej.peternel@gmail.com, jure.zaman@gmail.com 
3
Department of biology, Biotechnical faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;  
E-mail: rudi.verovnik@bf.uni-lj.si
 
*
Corresponding author 
 
 
Abstract. The southwestern Posavsko hills and northern Suha krajina are among the least studied areas 
regarding the butterfly fauna in Slovenia. To fill this knowledge gap, we selected all unpublished records of 
butterflies since 2014, in addition to the focused field surveys performed in the 2019–2022 period. We recorded a 
total of 105 butterfly species, presenting almost 60% of all species found in Slovenia. Among the species found, 
there are several habitat specialists of high conservation importance, e.g., Leptidea morsei, Euphydryas aurinia, 
Parnassius mnemosyne, Phengaris arion, Carcharodus floccifera, Lycaena dispar. Locations harbouring these 
species and those with the highest species richness are of great importance for preserving the diverse butterfly 
fauna of the region. 
 
Key words: southwestern Posavsko hills, northern Suha krajina, faunistics, conservation, field surveys, species 
richness 
 
 
Izvleček. Prispevek k poznavanju favne metuljev (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) centralne 
Slovenije – Jugozahodni del Posavskega hribovja in severni del Suhe krajine sta glede favne dnevnih metuljev v 
Sloveniji med najslabše raziskanimi območji. V ta namen smo med letoma 2019 in 2022 opravili serijo usmerjenih 
popisov, zraven pa so vključeni še neobjavljeni podatki od leta 2014 naprej. Skupaj smo zabeležili 105 vrst metuljev, 
kar pomeni skoraj 60 % vseh vrst dnevnih metuljev, najdenih v Sloveniji. Med najdenimi vrstami so bile tudi take, 
ki so pomembne z naravovarstvenega vidika, npr. Leptidea morsei, Euphydryas aurinia, Parnassius mnemosyne, 
Phengaris arion, Carcharodus floccifera, Lycaena dispar. Lokacije z omenjenimi vrstami, kot tudi tiste z največjo 
pestrostjo, so pomembne za ohranitev velike pestrosti metuljev te regije. 
 
Ključne besede: jugozahodno Posavsko hribovje, severna Suha krajina, favnistika, naravovarstvo, terenski popisi, 
vrstna pestrost 
 

6 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Introduction 
 
 
Among the least studied parts of Slovenia in terms of butterflies are the southwestern 
Posavsko hills and northern Suha krajina between the Krka and Sava Rivers in Central Slovenia. 
No extensive surveys of butterflies were undertaken in the region, with only a few records 
included in the Atlas of Butterflies of Slovenia and its supplement (Verovnik et al. 2012; Čelik 
2013). Most of the past surveys and data collection were carried out during the designation of 
Natura 2000 network in order to outline the distribution species under the Habitat Directive ( OJ 
EC 1992; Ur. l. RS 2004a) or under the Regulation on protected wild animal sp ecies (Ur. l. RS 
2004b). Based on these surveys, Suha krajina and Mirenščica were recognised as areas of 
conservational importance for butterflies (Čelik et al. 2005) due to the presence of two species 
listed in Annex II of the Habitat Directive, and in Annex I and II of the Regulation on protected 
wild animal species (OJ EC 1992, Ur. L. RS. 2004a, 2004b), Leptidea morsei and Euphydryas 
aurinia, while previous data also highlighted Moravška Gora, where both mentioned species 
were also found (Verovnik et al. 2012). Due to their presence, these localities are still regularly 
surveyed, and the results of these surveys are included in this report. However, since only two 
qualifying species were recognised, these areas were not included in Natura 2000 (Ur. L. RS 
2004a). Consequently, only small parts of the studied area are covered by the network, mostly 
towards the south near the Krka River (Krka s pritoki, SI3000338), around Trebnje (Trebnje, 
SI3000382; Vejar, SI30000056; Vrhtrebnje – Sv. Ana, SI3000057) and around Mirna (Mirna, 
SI3000059) (Ur. L. RS 2004a). It must be additionally noted that none of the existing Natura 
2000 areas were designated for butterflies’ species listed in Annex II of the Habitat Directive. 
The past surveys indicated a potential high butterfly diversity of the studied region especially 
due to presence of several specialist species uncommon in central Slovenia, e.g. Lycaena dispar, 
Polyommatus thersites, Polyommatus dorylas, Parnassius mnemosyne, Pyrgus armoricanus, 
Carcharodus floccifera, etc. (Čelik et al. 2005; Verovnik et al. 2012; Čelik 2013), some of which 
are also included in the Regulation on protected wild animal species ( Ur. L. RS 2004b). With this 
in mind, a more extensive survey of the area was needed, focusing on wide coverage of the 
surveyed region and targeted search for rare or threatened species. 
 
 
 
Materials and methods 
 
Geographical description of the studied region 
 
The surveyed region cannot be described as a well-defined unit, and is composed from 
several geographical/regional units: Dolenjsko podolje, Suha krajina with Dobrepolje and 
southwestern part of Posavsko hills. According to Perko (1998) and its new regiona lisation of 
Slovenia, the area lies at the boundary between the Dinaric and Alpine macro-regions. The first 
is represented mainly by Dinaric plains, valley systems and corrosion plains in the south, while 
the second is composed mainly of Alpine hills in the north. These parts of Slovenia are known 
for their typical temperate continental climate (Ogrin 1996), with 1300–1800 mm of annual 
rainfall, while the average year temperatures are around 7–10 °C, depending on altitude and 
other factors (Vrtačnik & Bertalanič 2017).  

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 7 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Topographically, the studied region is not diverse as it consists mainly of hilly terrain between 
two river valleys, with some small valleys and basins where bigger towns are situated. It is 
mostly cov ered with hills whi ch ra rely rise a b ov e 600 m, with the highest being Obolno at  
776 m just north of the Stična village. The hills north of Ivančna Gorica-Trebnje (A2) highway 
are generally slightly higher, while the hills south of the highway rarely exceed 500 m, with 
Trebni vrh being the highest at 581 m (Požar 2005). The largest part of the region consists of 
limestone and dolomite bedrock, with a few deposits of clays and silts in some basins and valleys 
(e.g., Ivančna Gorica) (Perko 1998). The predominant vegetation consists of beech, chestnut, 
oak, fir, European hornbeam and partly birch, while south-facing slopes are locally dominated 
by red pine (parts of Moravška Gora). Cultivation, settlements and pastures are concentrated 
around larger towns like Ivančna Gorica, Trebnje, Mirna and along the Krka River (Perko 1998). 
The particularly important characteristic of the region, however, are its still relatively widely 
preserved dry, and partially humid extensive grasslands, which provide important habitats for 
many butterfly species. 
 
The approximate surveying borders in this study were set between the Krka River  
(Krka-Žužemberk) in the south, the line connecting Žužemberk-Mirna Peč-Mokronog towns in 
the east, Mokronog-Velika Preska-Š m a r t n o p r i L i t i j i t o w n s i n t h e n o r t h , a n d Š m a r t n o p r i  
Litiji-Prežganje-Polica-Krka towns in the west (Fig. 1). 
 
 
Field work 
 
The surveys of the area took place from 2014 –2022, with the majority of research performed 
during the summer of 2019, March–N o v e m b e r o f 2 0 2 0 a n d s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 2 . D u r i n g e a c h 
survey, the entire area of the chosen locality was thoroughly checked, with all found butterfly 
species recorded. Records made prior to 2014 are not included, since they were already 
published in the Atlas of Butterflies of Slovenia or in its supplement (Verovnik et al. 2012; Čelik 
2013). In total, 70 localities were surveyed throughout the region, however, most localities are 
concentrated in the areas where extensive grasslands abound (Fig. 1). The surveying was 
performed using a butterfly net and identification was done in the field. Butterflies were not 
collected, therefore genital dissection needed for separation of Leptidea sinapis/juvernica 
species complex was not carried out. The butterflies were determined using the standard 
butterfly guide (Tolman and Lewington 2008), while localities were selected based on our past 
surveys (Moravška Gora, Debeče, Vodice pri Gabrovki, Pusti Javor, Leskovec, Metnaj, Osredek 
nad Stično, Tlaka, Primskovo and Lisec; all the previously surveyed localities are included in the 
A t l a s o f B u t t e r f l i e s o f S l o v e n i a o r i n i t s s u p p l e m e n t ( V e r o v n i k e t a l . 2 0 1 2 ; Č e lik 2013)), 
knowledge of the region, and from the inspection of satellite photos/maps. All surveys were 
performed during appropriate weather conditions (sunny, relatively light wind, temperatures 
above 15 °C) between 9:00–18:00. 
 
 

8 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
 
Figure 1. Map of the southwestern Posavsko hills and northern Suha krajina with the included localities surveyed 
between 2014 and 2022. Numbers refer to description of localities in Tab. 1. The position of the surveyed area within 
the country is shown with a grey square in the upper right corner. 
Slika 1. Zemljevid severozahodnega dela Posavskega hribovja in severnega dela Suhe krajine z vključenimi lokacijami, 
pregledanimi med 2014 in 2022. Številke lokalitet so enake opisom lokalitet v Tab. 1. Položaj raziskovanega območja 
znotraj države je prikazan s sivim kvadratom zgoraj desno.  
 
 
 
Results and discussion 
 
General overview of localities and species 
 
During the surveys, 44 localities were closely examined once, while 26 localities were 
surveyed at least twice. Most butterfly species were found at three localities at least, while nine 
species were found at two localities and eight species at a single one. During the surveying of 
the region, a total of 105 species or species complexes were found representing almost 60% of 
all species found in Slovenia (Verovnik 2019). Among these three species belonged to the family 
Papilionidae, 12 to Pieridae, 32 to Lycaenidae, a single one to Riodinidae, 45 to Nymphalidae, 
and 12 to Hesperiidae. Species found at more than half of the surveyed localities could be 
considered common in the region and include: Colias crocea, Gonepteryx rhamni, Pieris rapae, 
L. sinapis/juvernica, Polyommatus icarus, Coenonympha pamphilus, Maniola jurtina, Melanargia 
galathea, and Ochlodes sylvanus. Unsurprisingly, these species are also widespread in other 
parts of Central Slovenia (Verovnik et al. 2012). 

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 9 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
With addition of eight species recorded only in previous surveys (Colias hyale, Pieris ergane, 
Lysandra coridon, Nymphalis antiopa, Euphydryas maturna, Limenitis populi, Fabriciana 
(Argynnis) niobe and Pyrgus alveus) (Verovnik et al. 2012; Čelik 2013), a total of 113 have been 
recorded from this part of central Slovenia so far. This puts the region among the most diverse 
in continental Slovenia, comparable with the Haloze and Goričko regions further eastwards – 
both with 109 species recorded (Verovnik 2000; Verovnik 2003; Verovnik et al. 2012). This is 
still somewhat less diverse compared to the two main centres of butterfly diversity at the 
junction with the sub-Mediterranean region in the Vipava Valley and at Kraški rob closer to the 
coast, with more than 130 species recorded (Verovnik et al. 2012). 
 
Among the species observed, 22 are included in the red list of butterflies of Slovenia (Ur. l. 
R S 2 0 0 2 ) , 1 5 i n t h e E u r o p e a n r e d l i s t o f b u t t e r f l i e s ( V a n S w a a y e t a l . 2 0 1 0 ) , e i g h t i n t h e 
Regulation on protected wild animal species (Ur. l. RS 2004b), and fiv e in the Directive on the 
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ EC 1992) (Tab. 3). 
 
Most species-rich localities are (in order of most species found): Moravška Gora, Žužemberk, 
Brezovo and Vrh pri Križu, and Vrhovo pri Žužemberku (Tab. 1). It is not surprising that the 
localities Moravška Gora and Brezovo are relatively close to one another, which is also true for 
localities Vrh pri Križu, Vrhovo pri Žužemberku and Žužemberk. In the case of the Moravška 
Gora and Brezovo localities, they are located near the northern border of the surveyed area at 
a relatively high altitude, both above 550 m. Characteristic of both localities are warm and dry 
extensive grasslands, and open deciduous woods on calcareous bedrock, which are sometimes 
replaced by pines. The entire area has a strong karst outlook, which is additionally increased by 
the abundance of large satyrids (e.g. Hipparchia fagi). In the case of Moravška Gora, especially 
near the village road, small gardens and orchards are also abundant, which additionally enrich 
the flora of the area. This abundance of habitat types, specific geographical location, as well as 
the presence of still relatively preserved areas of extensive grasslands are the main reasons for 
the vide variety of butterfly species. 
 
The main habitat characteristics of the localities Vrh pri Križu, Vrhovo pri Žužemberku and 
Žužemberk, on the other hand, are the combination of humid and dry extensive grasslands, as 
well as woodlands with clearings in different stages of overgrowth. Thus, many different habitat 
specialists can be found in the area (e.g. L. dispar, Lycaena hippothoe and C. floccifera 
characteristic for humid, and Melitaea aurelia, M. britomartis and Brenthis hecate characteristic 
for dry extensive grasslands). All three localities are situated at the southern edge of the 
surveyed area, near the Krka River, at altitudes around 300 m, and have at least some karst 
characteristics including smaller valleys, exposed rocky terrain, etc. Combination of the 
mentioned characteristics, which include dry and humid extensive grasslands, riparian 
vegetation near the Krka River, rocky outcrops, as well as orchards, forest edges, etc., is 
reflected in high species richness, which is characteristic for low altitude, karst, habitat-rich 
areas in Slovenia, e.g., Vipava Valley, areas around Dragonja/Sečovlje villages, etc. (Verovnik 
et al. 2012; Čelik 2013).  
 
 
 
 
  

10 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Table 1. The list of localities surveyed during the study, including the description of locality and its habitat, coordinates, 
altitude, and date(s) of surveys. Coordinates are given in a WGS-84 decimal degrees, latitude (Lat.) followed by 
longitude (Long.). Abbreviations of names on the given surveying date refer to: AP – Andrej Peternel, LŠ – Luka Šturm, 
RV – Rudi Verovnik and JZ - Jure Zaman. 
Tabela 1. Seznam lokalitet, vzorčenih med študijo, skupaj z opisom lokalitete in habitata, koordinat, nadmorske višine in 
datumom/ov vzorčenj(a). Koordinate so podane v WGS-84-decimalnih stopnjah kot zemljepisna širina (Lat.) in 
zemljepisna dolžina (Long.). Okrajšave imen ob datumih posamičnih vzorčenj pripadajo: AP – Andrej Peternel,  
LŠ – Luka Šturm, RV – Rudi Verovnik in JZ – Jure Zaman.  
No. Name  Description Habitat type 
Coordinates 
(Lat, Long) 
Altitude
(m)  Date 
No. of 
species 
1 Grasslands on slopes 200 
m E of Metnaj; N of 
Ivančna Gorica 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.979046, 
14.810992 
540 31.05.2014 (RV); 18.7.2019 
(AP, JZ) 
13 
2 Grasslands 130 m W of 
Pristava nad Stično; N of 
Ivančna Gorica 
Hay meadows; 
forest edge 
45.987053, 
14.819198 
550 31.05.2014 (RV) 6 
3 Grasslands 300 m E and S 
of Brezovo: NE of 
Gabrovka 
Dry extensive and 
intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.007416, 
14.997887 
620 13.5.2018, 2.5.2020, 
1.5.2021, 11.8.2022 (RV); 
21.07.2019 (AP, LŠ, JZ), 
9.8.2022 (AP, LŠ) 
51 
4 S slopes at Moravška Gora; 
N of Gabrovka 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge, road 
verges, open 
woods 
46.008222, 
14.985342 
560 13.5.2018, 2.5.2020, 1.5. 
and 1.6. 2021, 11.8.2022 
(RV); 21.07.2019 (AP, LŠ, 
JZ); 7.5.2020 (AP, JZ); 9. 
and 20.5.2021 (JZ), 
9.8.2022 (AP, LŠ) 
62 
5 Grasslands 300 m SE of 
Zgornje Vodice; N of 
Gabrovka 
Hay meadows; 
forest edge 
46.013036, 
14.980054 
660 13.5.2018, 2.5.2020, 1.5. 
and 30.5.2021 (RV) 
21 
6 Meadows 800 m NW of 
Potok village, along Stiški 
potok stream; Gabrje pri 
Stični; N of Ivančna Gorica 
 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.978070, 
14.792910 
420 16.6.2019 (AP, LŠ); 
18.7.2019 (AP, JZ); 
19.07.2019 (LŠ) 
39 
7 Grasslands at the 
elementary school, S of 
Stična; N of Ivančna 
Gorica 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.946490, 
14.808600 
350 18.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 10 
8 Small river valley of Stiški 
potok, 50 m N of Gabrje 
pri Stični; N of Ivančna 
Gorica 
Shrub and flowers 
along the stream; 
forest edge 
45.960810, 
14.808390 
390 18.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 11 
9 Grasslands 300 m SE of 
Lanšprež manor, near 
Gomilščica stream; Gomila; 
N of Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.924140, 
15.053820 
270 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ); 
27.10.2019, 7.3. and 
3.5.2020 (JZ);  
21 
10 Grasslands S, SE and E of 
Migolska Gora, around 
Mirenščica stream; N of 
Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.955660, 
15.035740 
290 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ); 
6.8.2021, 3.7.2022 (JZ) 
24 
11 Grasslands 450 m SW of 
Selo pri Mirni, near 
Homščica stream; N of 
Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.969480, 
15.025430 
350 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 5 

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 11 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
No. Name  Description Habitat type 
Coordinates 
(Lat, Long) 
Altitude
(m)  Date 
No. of 
species 
12 Overgrowing grasslands 
450 m S of Pretržje, near 
Gabrovščica stream; SE of 
Gabrovka 
Partially 
overgrowing humid 
meadows; forest 
edge 
45.990830, 
14.992470 
350 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 5 
13 Grasslands and shrubs 450 
m NE of Tlaka; S of 
Gabrovka 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.982300, 
14.992700 
340 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 17 
14 Grasslands beneath the 
ruins of Turn castle, near 
Turnska Cerknica stream; 
Gabrska Gora; SW of 
Gabrovka 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.986280, 
14.977260 
330 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 7 
15 Grasslands 50 m S of 
Okrog (Dule), near Dušica 
stream; S of Gabrovka 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.969640, 
14.977640 
330 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 9 
16 Grasslands 250 m S of 
Selska Gora, near 
Mirenščica stream; N of 
Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.958710, 
15.019350 
300 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 10 
17 Forest clearing and 
grasslands 450 m NW of 
Mala Ševnica, near 
Cedilnica stream; N of 
Trebnje 
Partially overgrown 
humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.950120, 
15.000450 
300 19.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 11 
18 Grasslands NW of Trstenik, 
250 S of Srasle, along the 
Trstenik-Zabukovje road; 
Srasle; NE of Mirna 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.970665, 
15.048959 
280 21.07.2019 (AP, LŠ, JZ) 11 
19 Grasslands 350 m N of 
quarry at Gorenje 
Zabukovje, near stream 
Ločica; Zabukovje; NW of 
Mirna 
Humid grasslands, 
forest edge 
45.992150, 
15.043090 
360 21.07.2019 (AP, LŠ, JZ); 
24.6.2020, 14.6.2021 (JZ) 
24 
20 Grasslands in a small 
valley 50 m E of Hohovica; 
NW of Gabrovka 
Humid grasslands; 
shrubs  
46.008900, 
14.962910 
360 21.07.2019 (AP, LŠ, JZ) 18 
21 Grasslands 600 m S and 
SE of Korita; S of Trebnje 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.857172, 
14.982919 
250 22.07.2019 (LŠ) 8 
22 Grasslands 400 m W of 
Podlipa; NE of Žužemberk 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.841410, 
14.992745 
250 22.07.2019 (LŠ) 19 
23 Grasslands and forest 
clearings 700 m N and NE 
of Volčja Jama; N of 
Žužemberk 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge and 
clearings 
45.877523, 
14.932309 
340 22.07.2019 (LŠ) 19 
24 Grasslands 600 m S of 
Babna Gora; W of Trebnje 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.895795, 
14.915733 
320 22.07.2019 (LŠ) 10 
25 Grasslands and shrubs on 
slopes SW of Stična; N of 
Ivančna Gorica 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge, shrubs 
45.950694, 
14.790047 
420 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 13 
26 Grasslands 900 m NE of 
Velika Dobrava; NW of 
Ivančna Gorica 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.967970, 
14.781077 
540 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 21 

12 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
No. Name  Description Habitat type 
Coordinates 
(Lat, Long) 
Altitude
(m)  Date 
No. of 
species 
27 Grasslands 1100 m E of 
Leskovec, near Stiški potok 
stream; NW of Ivančna 
Gorica 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.993935, 
14.764731 
540 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 18 
28 Grasslands and slopes 850 
m W of Leskovec; NW of 
Ivančna Gorica 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.991234, 
14.739448 
740 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 14 
29 Grasslands on slopes 700 
m SW of Mali Vrh pri 
Prežganju, near Veliki 
potok stream; NE of 
Grosuplje 
Dry and humid 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.999935, 
14.726270 
480 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 15 
30 Gasslands and clearing 200 
m S of Veliko Trebeljevo; 
SW of Litija 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.006583, 
14.741094 
540 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 10 
31 Grasslands on slopes 400 
m E of Veliko Trebeljevo; 
SW of Litija 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
46.012669, 
14.745662 
500 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 21 
32 Grasslands near Reka 
stream, 850 m E of Veliko 
Trebeljevo; SW of Litija 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.013711, 
14.752331 
380 23.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 16 
33 Grasslands and slopes 250 
m W and SW of Debeče, 
near Bukovica stream; S of 
Litija 
Humid and dry 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.997272, 
14.805665 
530 23. and 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 14 
34 Grasslands and slopes at 
Osredek nad Stično; SW of 
Litija 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
46.001805, 
14.794284 
620 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 17 
35 Grasslands and slopes in a 
small valley 400 m W of 
Jastrebnik; SW of Litija 
Humid and dry 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.016975, 
14.784236 
420 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 14 
36 Grasslands and slopes 200 
m S of Volčja Jama; SW of 
Litija 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
46.029719, 
14.799543 
340 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 13 
37 Grasslands and slopes at 
Podroje, near Koški potok 
stream; S of Litija 
Humid and dry 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.019302, 
14.828849 
300 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 30 
38 Grasslands and slopes 350 
m S of Kot, near Koški 
potok stream; S of Litija 
Humid and dry 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.016018, 
14.812797 
330 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 22 
39 Clearings 1250 m SW of 
Vintarjevec, near 
Vintarjevški potok stream; 
S of Litija 
Partially 
overgrowing 
clearings; forest 
edge 
46.008348, 
14.813535 
340 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 11 
40 Grasslands on slopes 100 
m NE of Bukovica 
(Cerovec); S of Litija 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.992163, 
14.856168 
480 24.07.2019 (LŠ, JZ) 13 
41 Grasslands 900 m NW of 
Mačkovec; NW of Trebnje 
Partially overgrowin 
humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.954820, 
14.952630 
320 25.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 14 
42 Grasslands 750 m N of 
Dolga Njiva pri 
Šentlovrencu; NW of 
Trebnje 
Humid extensive 
and intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.959520, 
14.938300 
330 25.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 14 

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 13 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
No. Name  Description Habitat type 
Coordinates 
(Lat, Long) 
Altitude
(m)  Date 
No. of 
species 
43 Grasslands 150 m N of 
Primskovo, near Laniški 
potok stream; NW of 
Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.972150, 
14.920530 
340 25.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 20 
44 Grasslands on slopes W of 
Mišji dol; NE of Ivančna 
Gorica 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.987440, 
14.898270 
380 25.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 14 
45 Grasslands at Pusti Javor, 
along Temenica-Prečna 
stream; S of Litija 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.996970, 
14.870488 
380 25.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 29 
46 Grasslands on slopes 250 
m E of Zafara; E of 
Žužemberk 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.834630, 
14.946490 
310 26.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 12 
47 Grasslands on slopes 350 
m N of Valična vas; NW of 
Žužemberk 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.865560, 
14.872430 
400 26.7.2019 (AP, JZ) 15 
48 Grasslands around Štefan 
pri Trebnjem, also near 
Temenica-Prečna stream; 
W of Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
shrub 
45.907994, 
14.991682 
280 Mar.-Jun., Avg. 2020 (JZ) 22 
49 Grasslands between and N 
of Kamni Potok and 
Gorenja Nemška vas; W of 
Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.917945, 
14.984703 
300 Mar.-May 2020 (JZ) 31 
50 Grasslands around both 
Pekel/Studenec, mainly to 
the N; NW of Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.916776, 
14.997149 
300 Mar.-Jul., Nov. 2020, 
8.5.2021 (JZ) 
39 
51 Grasslands around both 
Trebnje/Praproče 
settlements 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.911781, 
15.011120 
290 Mar.-Jun. 2020 (JZ) 27 
52 Grasslands 200 m E of 
Primštal; NE of Trebnje 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.917342, 
15.038491 
310 3.4. and 14.5.2020 (JZ) 7 
53 Grasslands at Blato, and 
near Blato pond; N of 
Trebnje 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge and shrubs 
45.931561, 
14.998300 
320 Apr., Nov. 2020 (JZ) 12 
54 Grasslands at Gorenje 
Medvedje selo, mostly to 
the N; N of Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.921505, 
15.023672 
310 Apr.-Jun. 2020 (JZ) 32 
55 Grasslands at the SE of 
Lisec; SW of Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge and 
shrubs 
45.861220, 
14.961370 
380 7.5.2020 (AP, JZ); 8.8.2021, 
18.4., 16.10.2022 (JZ) 
30 
56 Partially overgrown 
grasslands at Mirna pond; 
Mirna; NE of Trebnje 
Intensive 
grasslands; riparian 
vegetation 
45.956794, 
15.055127 
260 25.6.2020, 3.7.2022 (JZ) 3 
57 Grasslands 250 m W and N 
of Dolenji Vrh; S of 
Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.878407, 
15.004673 
450 12.7.2020 (JZ) 4 
58 Grasslands 170 m SE of 
Mala Goba; N of Gabrovka 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
46.037143, 
14.982466 
700 1.5.2021 (RV) 5 
59 Grasslands at Gabrovka, E 
of the school 
Intensive 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
46.000162, 
14.992439 
420 1.5. and 21.6.2021 (RV) 28 

14 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
No. Name  Description Habitat type 
Coordinates 
(Lat, Long) 
Altitude
(m)  Date 
No. of 
species 
60 Grasslands 600 m NW of 
Gorenje Selce; W of 
Trebnje 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.904710, 
14.925960 
380 5.6.2022 (JZ) 27 
61 Grasslands 100 m NE of 
Dolenje Kamenje pri 
Dobrniču; SW of Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.886930, 
14.940770 
320 5.6.2022 (JZ) 19 
62 Grasslands 350 m SE of 
Vrh pri Križu; NW of 
Žužemberk 
Humid grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.854780, 
14.898450 
270 16.5. and 11.8. 2022 (RV), 
5.6.2022 (JZ), 12.6.2022 
(LŠ, JZ), 9.8.2022 (AP, LŠ) 
51 
63 Grasslands 650 m NW of 
Vrh pri Križu; NW of 
Žužemberk 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
45.864190, 
14.889990 
350 16.5. and 11.8.2022 (RV), 
5.6.2022 (JZ) 
31 
64 Small lake in an 
abandoned quarry 600 m E 
of Valična vas; NW of 
Žužemberk 
Ruderal sandy 
areas; shrubland;  
45.858940, 
14.881950 
300 20.5. and 11.8.2022 (RV), 
5.6.2022 (JZ) 
25 
65 Abandoned quarry 300 m 
W of Valična vas; NW of 
Žužemberk 
Rocky and sandy 
slopes; open woods 
45.860490, 
14.867890 
360 16.5.2022 (RV), 5.6.2022 
(JZ) 
11 
66 Grasslands 100 m N of 
Debenec; NE of Trebnje 
Dry grasslands; 
forest clearings 
45.931158, 
15.091570 
440 11.6. and 3.7.2022 (JZ) 20 
67 Grasslands 150 m W of 
Dobrava; NE of Žužemberk 
Dry and humid 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.854510, 
14.960126 
260 12.6.2022 (LŠ, JZ) 29 
68 Grasslands 250 m NW of 
Žužemberk 
Dry and humid 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.837185, 
14.924976 
270 12.6.2022 (LŠ, JZ), 9.8.2022 
(AP, LŠ), 16., 31.10.2022 
(JZ) 
54 
69 Grasslands and forest 
clearings 600 m E of 
Vrhovo pri Žužemberku; 
NW of Žužemberk 
Dry and humid 
grasslands; forest 
edge 
45.849283, 
14.910535 
260 12.6.2022 (LŠ, JZ), 9.8.2022 
(AP, LŠ) 
46 
70 Grasslands at the E edge 
of Višnji Grm, near the 
main road; SE of Litija 
Dry grasslands; 
forest edge 
46.009140, 
14.886415 
460 1.6.2021 (RV) 6 
 
 
  

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 15 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Table 2. The list and occurrence of butterfly species found during the 2014–2022 surveys in southwestern Posavsko hills 
and northern Suha krajina in Central Slovenia. The localities are indicated by numbers from 1 to 70 as in the list and 
description of localities. 
Tabela 2. Seznam in pojavljanje vrst dnevnih metuljev, opaženih med popisi , opravljenimi v obdobju 2014–2022 na 
območju jugozahodnega dela Posavskega hribovja in severnega dela Suhe krajine v centralni Sloveniji. Lokacije so 
označene s številkami od 1 do 70 kot v seznamu in opisu lokacij. 
Family/Species Locality number(s) 
Papilionidae  
Iphiclides podalirius (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 41, 
44, 45, 48, 50, 53, 54, 55, 63, 66, 68 
Papilio machaon Linnaeus, 1758 3, 4, 23, 26, 28, 31, 33, 35, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 
61, 62, 66, 68 
Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 49 
Pieridae  
Leptidea morsei (Fenton, 1881) 3, 4, 23 
Leptidea sinapis (Linnaeus, 1758) / 
Leptidea juvernica Williams, 1946 
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 
34, 35, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 
63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 
Colias alfacariensis Ribbe, 1905 3, 4, 26, 37, 44, 45, 49, 53, 59, 62 
Colias crocea (Fourcroy, 1785) 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 36, 37, 41, 
42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 
67, 68, 69 
Gonepteryx rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 
33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 45, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 
67, 68, 69 
Anthocharis cardamines  
(Linnaeus, 1758) 
3, 4, 9, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 59 
Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758) 50, 68, 69 
Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 6, 19, 45, 49, 50, 51, 54, 62, 64, 68 
Pieris mannii (Mayer, 1851) 4, 10, 48, 55, 64, 65, 66, 68 
Pieris napi (Linnaeus, 1758) 4, 7, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 36, 38, 45, 64 
Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 
27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 55, 59, 
60, 67, 68, 69 
Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777) 48, 68 
Lycaenidae  
Lycaena alciphron (Rottemburg, 1775) 61 
Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1802) 9, 37, 49, 50, 51, 54, 60, 68 
Lycaena hippothoe (Linnaeus, 1761) 6, 13, 15, 20, 37, 45, 48, 49, 51, 54, 60, 63, 68, 69 
Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761) 3, 4, 9, 19, 37, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 62, 64, 67, 68, 
69 
Lycaena tityrus (Poda, 1761) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 
38, 40, 49, 51, 54, 55, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69 
Lycaena virgaureae (Linnaeus, 1758) 19 
Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 50, 51, 54, 55 
Favonius quercus (Linnaeus, 1758) 66 
Thecla betulae (Linnaeus, 1758) 50, 53, 55 
Satyrium acaciae (Fabricius, 1787) 4, 10, 68, 69 
Satyrium ilicis (Esper, 1779) 67, 68, 69 
Satyrium spini  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
3, 62 
Satyrium w-album (Knoch, 1782) 20, 38, 39, 45 

16 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Family/Species Locality number(s) 
Aricia agestis  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
2, 3, 4, 6, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40, 48, 51, 
54, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69 
Aricia artaxerxes (Fabricius, 1793) 4, 6, 22, 29, 33, 34, 62, 69 
Celastrina argiolus (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 10, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 
69 
Cupido argiades (Pallas, 1771) 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 20, 23, 36, 37, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 53, 
59, 62, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69 
Cupido minimus (Fuessly, 1775) 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 34, 59, 62, 64, 70 
Cyaniris semiargus (Rottemburg, 1775) 4 
Glaucopsyche alexis (Poda, 1761) 4, 50 
Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767) 9 
Cacyreus marshalli Butler, 1898 68 
Lysandra bellargus (Rottemburg, 1775) 2, 3, 4, 23, 29, 45, 47, 55, 59, 62, 63, 64, 68, 69 
Phengaris arion (Linnaeus, 1758) 4, 6, 15, 19, 20, 29, 31, 37, 40, 43 
Plebejus argyrognomon  
(Bergsträsser, 1779) 
6, 46, 49, 55, 62, 69 
Plebejus argus (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 3, 4, 13, 14, 19, 20, 26, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 57, 59, 
62, 63, 68, 69 
Plebejus idas (Linnaeus, 1761) 5, 6, 43, 46, 60, 62, 63 
Polyommatus dorylas  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
34, 37, 59, 62, 63, 64, 69 
Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 
37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 
64, 66, 67, 68, 69 
Polyommatus thersites (Cantener, 1835) 3, 5, 59 
Pseudophilotes vicrama (Moore, 1865) 10, 51 
Scolitantides orion (Pallas, 1771) 4, 55 
Riodinidae  
Hamearis lucina (Linnaeus, 1758) 4, 10, 19, 31, 38, 43, 45, 59 
Nymphalidae  
Apatura ilia  
(Denis and Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
24, 48, 56 
Apatura iris (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 4, 28, 57, 67 
Limenitis camilla (Linnaeus, 1764) 6, 39 
Limenitis reducta Staudinger, 1901 4, 6, 19, 42, 50, 54, 62, 64, 65 
Neptis rivularis (Scopoli, 1763) 4, 37, 38, 54, 56 
Neptis sappho (Pallas, 1771) 19, 50, 54 
Argynnis paphia (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 16, 18, 19, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33, 37, 38, 41, 
43, 45, 46, 50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69 
Boloria dia (Linnaeus, 1767) 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13, 22, 24, 29, 31, 34, 36, 37, 44, 45, 47, 48, 
49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 
69 
Boloria euphrosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 5, 55 
Brenthis daphne (Bergsträsser, 1780) 4, 6, 8, 10, 17, 22, 39, 42, 43, 50, 51, 60, 63, 67, 68, 69 
Brenthis hecate  
(Denis and Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
3, 62, 63, 68, 69 
Brenthis ino (Rottemburg, 1775) 16, 29, 46, 47, 68, 69 
Speyeria aglaja (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 41, 45 
Issoria lathonia (Linnaeus, 1758) 9, 17, 41, 42, 44, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 60, 61, 62, 66, 67, 
68, 69 

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 17 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Family/Species Locality number(s) 
Fabriciana adippe  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
9, 16, 20, 23, 38, 45, 50, 62, 69 
Aglais io (Linnaeus, 1758) 4, 6, 9, 17, 19, 23, 37, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 
Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 4, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55, 62, 69 
Arachnia levana (Linnaeus, 1758) 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 32, 35, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45, 
46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 59, 62, 64 
Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758) 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 25, 26, 27, 28, 39, 42, 43, 48, 49, 50, 53, 55, 
64, 66, 68, 69 
Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 
44, 47, 49, 52, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 
Polygonia c-album (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 3, 5, 6, 33, 38, 39, 42, 45, 48, 49, 50, 54, 56, 60, 64, 68, 
69 
Euphydryas aurinia (Rottemburg, 1775) 3, 4, 62, 63, 69 
Nymphalis polychloros (Linnaeus, 1758) 9, 49 
Melitaea athalia (Rottemburg, 1775) 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 21, 23, 25, 26, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 
45, 47, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 
70 
Melitaea aurelia Nickerl, 1850 22, 43, 62, 68 
Melitaea britomartis Assmann, 1847 62, 63, 68 
Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus, 1758) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 62, 63 
Melitaea diamina (Lang, 1789) 6 
Melitaea didyma (Esper, 1778) 3, 4, 7, 10, 18, 35, 36, 37, 50, 51, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 
67, 68, 69 
Melitaea phoebe  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
2, 3, 5, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 65 
Melitaea trivia  
(Denis & Schiffermüeller, 1775) 
49, 50, 51, 54, 60, 67, 68 
Aphantopus hyperantus (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 35, 
37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45, 57 
Brintesia circe (Fabricius, 1775) 26, 65, 67, 68 
Coenonympha arcania (Linnaeus, 1761) 3, 4, 6, 51, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69 
Coenonympha glycerion  
(Borkhausen, 1788) 
1, 3, 4, 6, 50, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 70 
Coenonympha pamphilus  
(Linnaeus, 1758) 
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 
49, 50, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 
Erebia aethiops (Esper, 1777) 3, 4, 6, 10, 19, 27, 29, 34, 38, 45 
Hipparchia fagi (Scopoli, 1763) 3, 4, 43, 47, 55 
Lasiommata maera (Linnaeus, 1758) 4 
Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767) 4, 25, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 66, 68 
Lopinga achine (Scopoli, 1763) 3, 19, 68, 69 
Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 
22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 
38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 
66, 67, 68, 69, 70 
Melanargia galathea (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 
30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38, 40, 46, 47, 50, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 
68, 69 
Minois dryas (Scopoli, 1763) 3, 4, 19, 29, 31, 45, 46, 47, 57, 62, 64, 68, 69 
Pararge aegeria (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19, 45, 49, 50, 51, 54, 55, 68 
 
  

18 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Family/Species Locality number(s) 
Hesperiidae  
Heteropterus morpheus (Pallas, 1771) 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 50 
Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas, 1771) 54, 63 
Hesperia comma (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 33, 36, 55, 62, 63, 64, 68, 69 
Ochlodes sylvanus (Esper, 1777) 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 
31, 32, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 50, 
62, 66, 67, 68, 69 
Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheimer, 1808) 3, 4, 10, 17, 19, 60, 62, 64, 67, 68, 69 
Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda, 1761) 6, 7, 13, 17, 20, 22, 50, 62, 66, 67, 68, 69 
Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780) 50, 51, 55, 60, 64, 66, 68 
Carcharodus floccifera (Zeller, 1847) 49, 54, 62, 68, 69 
Erynnis tages (Linnaeus, 1758) 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31, 37, 40, 44, 45, 49, 50, 
53, 54, 55, 58, 59, 62, 63 
Pyrgus armoricanus (Oberthür, 1910) 5, 37, 49, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 68, 69 
Pyrgus malvae (Linnaeus, 1758) 32, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 67 
Spialia sertorius (Hoffmannsegg, 1804) 4, 54, 62 
 
 
  

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 19 
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Table 3. The list of butterfly species included in the Red list of butterflies of Slovenia (Ur. l. RS 2002), European red list 
of butterflies (Van Swaay et al. 2010), Regulation on protected wild animal species (Ur. l. RS 2004b) and/or Council 
directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC 1992).  
Tabela 3. Seznam vrst dnevnih metuljev, vključenih na Rdeči seznam metuljev Slovenije (Ur. l. RS 2002), Evropski rdeči 
seznam metuljev (Van Swaay et al. 2010), Uredbo o zavarovanih prostoživečih živalskih vrstah (Ur. l. RS 2004b) in/ali 
na Direktivo Sveta o ohranjanju naravnih habitatov ter prostoživečih živalskih in rastlinskih vrst (Council Directive 
92/43/EEC 1992). 
Species 
Inclusion in the Red 
list of butterflies 
of Slovenia  
(Ur. l. RS 2002) 
Inclusion in the 
European red list of 
butterflies (Van 
Swaay et al. 2010): 
Inclusion in the 
Regulation on 
protected wild 
animal species  
(Ur. l. RS 2004b) 
Parnassius mnemosyne* Vulnerable Near threatened × 
Pieris mannii Vulnerable Least concerned  
Lycaena alciphron Vulnerable Near threatened  
Lycaena hippothoe Vulnerable Near threatened  
Lycaena dispar* Vulnerable Least concerned × 
Leptidea morsei Vulnerable Endangered × 
Plebejus argyrognomon Vulnerable Least concerned  
Plebejus idas Vulnerable Least concerned  
Pseudophilotes vicrama Vulnerable Near threatened  
Scolitantides orion Vulnerable Near threatened  
Apatura ilia Vulnerable Least concerned  
Euphydryas aurinia* Vulnerable Least concerned × 
Melitaea aurelia Vulnerable Near threatened  
Melitaea britomartis Vulnerable Near threatened  
Melitaea diamina Vulnerable Near threatened  
Melitaea trivia Vulnerable Near threatened  
Carcharodus alceae Vulnerable Least concerned  
Pyrgus armoricanus Vulnerable Least concerned  
Phengaris arion* Vulnerable Endangered × 
Spialia sertorius Vulnerable Least concerned  
Carcharodus floccifera Endangered Near threatened × 
Polyommatus thersites Endangered Least concerned × 
Polyommatus dorylas Least concerned Near threatened  
Hipparchia fagi Least concerned Near threatened  
Lopinga achine* Least concerned Vulnerable × 
* Species included in the Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Council 
Directive 92/43/EEC 1992). 
* Vrsta vključena na Direktivo Sveta o ohranjanju naravnih habitatov ter prostoživečih živalskih in rastlinskih vrst (Council 
Directive 92/43/EEC 1992). 
 
 
 
 
 
 

20 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Comments to selected species 
 
Leptidea morsei (Fenton, 1881) (fam. Pieridae) 
The isolated occurrence of the species at Gabrovka has been discovered during surveys 
carried out for the designation of Natura 2000 sites (Čelik et al. 2005) and the species has been 
monitored regularly at this location in the past years, with the results published in this article. 
The butterfly has been observed regularly, although in fluctuating numbers on Moravška Gora 
and its vicinity, where the distribution of its hostplant Lathyrus niger (L., 1753) Bernh., 1800 
remains stable as well. We found L. morsei at a new locality at Volčja Jama village north of 
Žužemberk, where a single male of the second generation was observed in a clearing north of 
the village on 22.7.2019. The hostplant was also found at the location, occurring on south-
facing slopes with sparse oak woods near the village. This suggests that the species is more 
common in the region than previously thought, as it was now also confirmed in northern Suha 
krajina, and not only in the vicinity of Moravška Gora in the southwestern parts of Posavsko 
hills. Consequently, additional surveys should be performed in these parts to consolidate the 
finding.  
 
Cacyreus marshalli Butler, 1898 (fam. Lycaenidae) 
This known allochthonous butterfly species occurs throughout the Mediterranean and was 
first discovered in Slovenia in 2008 (Verovnik et al. 2011). Despite its known dispersal potential, 
the only noteworthy range extension in the past few years in Slovenia was in the Soča Valley 
where it reached Bovec town (Verovnik et al. 2012; Verovnik, pers. obs.). There are only two 
records from central Slovenia, first from Kranj in 2010, where adults were observed inside a 
house where pelargoniums were kept over winter (Verovnik et al. 2011), and the second from 
Žirovski Vrh in the Poljanska Valley, where the butterfly was spotted sitting on a pelargonium 
plant in September 2020 (Tina Belej, pers. obs.). Its presence on a dry grassland near 
Žužemberk on 31.10.2022 was therefore unexpected. Given that it was observed also near 
Ljubljana at Pijava Gorica on 1.11.2022 (Šturm, pers. obs.) it is possible that the species had 
spread from the Primorska region during the late October heatwave (ARSO 2022). It is, however, 
unlikely that larvae or adults would have survived the harsh winters outdoors in Central Slovenia, 
for otherwise it would have been observed more regularly here in the past decade. It would be 
worth surveying the urban areas in the vicinity of the finds in the next autumn to check whether 
local populations have been established. 
 
Aricia artaxerxes (Fabricius, 1793) (fam. Lycaenidae) 
This species has been considered an exclusively Alpine species in Slovenia in the past 
(Carnelutti 1992). However, the surveys carried out in the last few decades have confirmed its 
much wider distribution including the Dinaric Mts in the south and even the sub-Pannonian 
region in the north east (Verovnik et al. 2012). It is, however, sparsely recorded from Central 
Slovenia with notable concentrations of records southwest of Mt Kum in northern Posavje 
(Verovnik, pers. obs.) and on the Sava River gravels north of Ljubljana (Verovnik, pers. obs.). 
We found the species at eight new localities from different parts of the surveyed areas, indicating 
its wider distribution in the region (Fig. 2). It is linked to unfertilized, flower-rich, dry, calcareous 
grasslands with abundance of sunrose (Helianthemum sp.), a likely hostplant of the species. 
Such grasslands are becoming increasingly rare and fragmented in Slovenia, and the species 
should therefore be considered threatened in lowlands, including the studied region. 
 
  

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 21 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Phengaris arion (Linnaeus, 1758) (fam. Lycaenidae) 
This emblematic species is one of the most threatened butterflies in Europe (van Swaay et 
al. 2010) and is considered vulnerable in Slovenia (Ur. l. RS 2002). From the studied region it is 
only known from a historical record from Trebnje but was/is also pr esent in the neighbouring 
regions to the north in the Posavje and Zasavje regions (Verovnik et al. 2012). We recorded the 
species at 10 localities, mostl y in the northern part of the surveyed region (Fig. 2). This is 
somewhat surprising given the past survey efforts, however, most of the previous surveys of 
Natura 2000 species were done in late spring/early summer, thus outside the main flight period 
of the species (Verovnik et al. 2012). In the surveyed region P. arion utilizes different types of 
dry grasslands, also in the early stages of abandonment and overgrowing, and is highly sensitive 
to excessive fertilization and multiple mowing regimes (Van Swaay et al 2012). Abandonment 
of mowing on steep south-facing slopes is possibly the main feature of most of the localities 
populated by the species in the region, therefore some sort of management will be required in 
the near future to sustain the existing habitat network. 
 
Melitaea diamina (Lang, 1798) (fam. Nymphalidae) 
This is a predominantly humid grassland species, although found also in dry, calcareous 
grasslands in western Slovenia (Verovnik et al. 2012). The species is listed as vulnerable in 
Slovenia (Ur. l. RS 2002) due to decline in suitable habitat, in particularly humid meadows and 
mires, which have mostly been turned into intensive grasslands with drainage, seeding and 
fertilization. The same trend is evident in the studied region where the species was found at 
several localities in the northern part during surveys at the beginning of the century (Verovnik 
et al. 2012). Many of these localities were revisited during our field work, but only a single 
population was reconfirmed in a small valley north of Ivančna Gorica at Potok settlement. 
Targeted surveys during first generation maximum might confirm a survivor of some additional 
populations, but in general, the humid grasslands deteriorated most severely in the studied 
region over the last two decades. They may still provide suitable habitat for some less sensitive 
hygrophilous specialist such as Brenthis ino, L. dispar and L. hippothoe, which are still 
widespread in the region, but further intensification could eliminate these species as well. 
 
Hipparchia fagi (Scopoli, 1763) (fam. Nymphalidae) 
This is a typical thermophilous shrubland and woodland species with sparse records from 
central Slovenia (Verovnik et al. 2012). From the studied region it was historically known only 
from Šentlovrenc near Trebnje (collection in the Slovenian Museum of Natural History). We 
recorded the species commonly on Moravška Gora above Gabrovka town along woodland edges, 
as well as in orchards and vineyards. Elsewhere, only single specimens were observed at 
Primskovo, which is quite near the historical record, on southern slopes of Mt Lisec, and north 
of Valična vas in a complex of dry grasslands. These new finds are likely a result of recent late 
summer surveys that were absent in the past, as the species is known from neighbouring regions 
(Verovnik et al. 2012), being particularly widespread in the Haloze region further northeast 
(Verovnik 2003).  
 
  

22 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780) (Hesperiidae) 
Despite utilizing severely modified ruderal habitats including urban areas and intensive 
farmlands, the species is surprisingly rare in Central Slovenia, its strongholds being the sub-
Pannonian eastern part of the country and the Primorska region in the west (Verovnik et al. 
2012). In the studied region it was recorded only from a single locality near Gabrovka (Verovnik, 
pers. obs.), so addition of six new localities is significant. These are mainly concentrated in 
southern and eastern parts of the region (Fig. 2). It has been found in different habitats 
including a ruderal area near Valična vas in the south.  
 
 
Figure 2. Distribution of Leptidea morsei, Hipparchia fagi, Cacyreus marshalli, Melitaea diamina, Carcharodus alceae, 
Phengaris arion and Aricia artaxerxes in the surveyed area of the southwestern Posavsko hills and northern Suha 
krajina. Numbers refer to localities listed in Tab. 1. The position of the surveyed area within the country is shown with  
a grey square in the upper right corner. 
Slika 2. Razširjenost vrst Leptidea morsei, Hipparchia fagi, Cacyreus marshalli, Melitaea diamina, Carcharodus alceae, 
Phengaris arion in Aricia artaxerxes na območju jugozahodnega Posavskega hribovja in severne Suhe krajine. Številke 
označujejo lokacije, ki so navedene v Tab. 1. Položaj raziskovanega območja znotraj države je prikazan s črnim/sivim 
kvadratom zgoraj desno. 
 
 
  

Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 23 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
Concluding remarks 
 
Several additional rare or rarely observed species include those with more sparsely seen 
adults such as Thecla betulae, Favonious quercus, Satyrium ilicis, Satyrium acaciae, Satyrium 
w-album, and thermophilous species Scolitantides orion, Pseudophilotes vicrama, P. thersites, 
Limenitis reducta, and Melitaea trivia. Also noteworthy is the widespread occurrence of 
Aphantopus hyperantus and Heteropterus morpheus, both being only rarely recorded in the 
region in the past, as well as the observation of B. hecate on five localities, despite being thought 
to have almost disappeared from Central Slovenia (Verovnik et al. 2012). Leptotes pirithous, a 
known migratory species, has been observed once during the surveys.  
 
Given the long list of butterfly species, the abundance of records of species of conservation 
concern, as well as local hot spots of butterfly diversity, the central Slovenia or, to be more 
precise, the southwestern Posavsko hills and northern Suha krajina, is grossly underrepresented 
within Natura 2000 network of Slovenia, or any other form of legally protected area. As this is 
unlikely to change, local initiatives are needed to preserve the most important localities, which 
would provide core areas for thr eatened species to survive. Although flower-rich, dry, calcareous 
grasslands still abound, in particular around Gabrovka and just north of the Krka Valley, both 
abandonment with overgrowing as well as intensification through pasturing and fertilisation in 
these areas are evident. These processes will inevitably lead to the decline of habitat specialist 
butterfly species that we were still able to record during our surveys. The situation is even worse 
for humid grasslands, as only small fragments are left, scattered mostly along small tributaries 
of major streams. Whether these are sufficient for maintaining local populations of threatened 
species remains to be studied through additional surveys. Land owners and local communities 
should be targeted to ensure maintaining or even enlarging the existing humid grassland areas, 
while the preservation of such habitats should be one of the ecological priorities of the country. 
 
 
 
Povzetek 
 
 
V članku predstavljamo popise dnevnih metuljev na območju centralne Slovenije (jugozahodni del 
Posavskega hribovja in severni del Suhe krajine), ki so potekali med letoma 2014 in 2022. Območje je bilo 
izbrano zaradi majhnega števila predhodnih terenskih podatkov, kjer znaten delež zajemajo pomembnejše 
najdbe pred letom 1990 (Verovnik et al. 2012). Metulje smo lovili z metuljnico in jih določevali na terenu s 
pomočjo ustrezne literature (Tolman & Lewington 2008). Posamezne lokacije vzorčenja smo izbrali na 
podlagi ohranjenosti habitatov, dostopnosti in predhodnih raziskav (Verovnik et al. 2012; Čelik 2013).  
 
Na izbranem območju nam je v tem času uspelo zabeležiti 105 vrst metuljev, kar pomeni 60 % vseh 
najdenih vrst v Sloveniji (Verovnik et al. 2012). Večina vrst je bila najdena na vsaj treh lokacijah, medtem 
ko je bilo devet vrst najdenih na dveh in osem vrst na eni sami lokaciji. Vrste, ki smo jih našli na vsaj polovici 
lokacij, lahko štejemo med pogoste, med njimi pa so: Colias crocea, Gonepteryx rhamni, Pieris rapae, 
Leptidea sinapis/juvernica, Polyommatus icarus, Coenonympha pamphilus, Maniola jurtina, Melanargia 
galathea, in Ochlodes sylvanus. Te vrste so sicer pogoste tudi drugod v osrednji Sloveniji (Verovnik et al. 
2012). Med najdenimi vrstami je bilo 22 takih, ki so vključene na rdeči seznam metuljev Slovenije (Ur. l. RS 
2002), 15 takih, ki so vključene na seznam ogroženih metuljev v Evropi (Van Swaay et al. 2010), osem, ki 
so vključene v Uredbo o zavarovanih prosto živečih živalskih vrstah (Ur. l. RS 2004b), in pet takih, ki so 
vključene v Direktivo o ohranjanju naravnih habitatov ter prosto živečih živalskih in rastlinskih vrst  
(OJ EC 1992) (Tab. 3). 

24 Luka ŠTURM et al.: Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna of Central Slovenia / SCIENTIFIC PAPER 
NATURA SLOVENIAE 25(1): 5-25 
 
Največ vrst smo našli na lokacijah Moravška Gora, Žužemberk, Brezovo in Vrh pri Križu ter na lokaciji 
Vrhovo pri Žužemberku (Tab. 1). Lokaciji Brezovo in Moravška Gora sta blizu druga drugi na severnem delu 
območja, lokacije Vrh pri Križu, Vrhovo pri Žužemberku in Žužemberk pa ležijo na južnem robu območja 
prav tako blizu druga drugi. Med popisi nismo zabeležili osmih vrst, ki so bile predhodno na območju že 
najdene, smo pa nekaj vrst na območju zabeležili prvič (npr. Cacyreus marshalli in Leptotes pirithous). Za 
območje so precej pomembne tudi najdbe vrst Leptidea morsei, Hipparchia fagi, Cacyreus marshalli in 
Melitaea diaminater še posebej vrste Phengaris arion, Carcharodus alcea in Aricia artaxerxes, ki smo jih našli 
na vsaj sedmih lokacijah (Sl. 2). Območje je glede na število najdenih vrst med najbolj pestrimi v Sloveniji, 
a ga podobno kot drugje v državi ogrožata zaraščanje ekstenzivnih travnikov in intenzivno pašništvo 
predvsem na suhih travnikih. Najbolj ogrožene so vrste, vezane na vlažne travnike, ki se fragmentirano 
pojavljajo le še ob manjših potokih v stranskih dolinah. Ker je celotno območje izredno slabo pokrito z 
območji, vključenimi v Natura 2000 (Ur. l. RS 2004a), velikemu številu bolj specializiranih vrst grozi izumrtje. 
Če želimo ohraniti pestrost tega dela države, bo zato treba opravljati tarčno usmerjene popise izbranih 
lokacij, predvsem pa k ohranjanju določenih habitatov (npr. vlažnih travnikov) spodbujati lokalno 
prebivalstvo in državo. 
 
 
 
Zahvala 
 
 
The authors would like to thank the other participants of the butterfly group during the Raziskovalni tabor študentov 
biologije (RTŠB) 2019 in Ivančna Gorica, specifically Elena Pazhenkova, Domen Kocjan and Lucija Fon Mervič, as well as 
the Biology Student’s Society from Slovenia, which were the camp organizers. Part of the fieldwork by RV was funded 
through butterfly monitoring projects (JN000486/2019-W01, JN000385/2021-B01) by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Food. The permission for disturbing and catching the butterflies was previously obtained from the Slovenian Environment 
Agency (ARSO), number 35601-41/2018-4 (A. Peternel, L. Šturm, J. Zaman) and number 35601-56/2016-2 (R. Verovnik).  
 
 
 
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