CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE ON DISTRIBUTION 
OF OWL-FLY LIBELLOIDES MACARONIUS (SCOPOLI, 1763) 
IN SLOVENIA, NEW RECORDS FROM THE ŠENTVID PLATEAU, 
NW SLOVENIA
Gregor To r k a r
Univerza v Ljubljani, Pedagoška fakulteta, 
k ardeljeva ploščad 16, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; 
e-mail: gregor.torkar@pef.uni-lj.si 
Abstract – Two new records of the owl-fly Libelloides macaronius are presented.
The specimens were found on the Šentvid plateau, NW Slovenia.
k e y Wo r d S: Libelloides macaronius, owl-fly, distribution, Slovenia
Izvleček - Pr ISPe Ve k k Po ZNa Va NJU r a ZŠIr Je No STI Me TULJČNICe LI-
BELLOIDES MACARONIUS (SCo Po LI, 1763) V SLo Ve NIJI, No Va Po d a Tk a
S Še NTVIŠk e PLa No Te , SZ SLo Ve NIJa
Predstavljena sta dva nova podatka o metuljčnici Libelloides macaronius. o sebka
sta bila najdena na Šentviški planoti, SZ Slovenija. 
k LJUČNe b e Se d e : Libelloides macaronius, metuljčnica, razširjenost, Slovenija
The known distribution of owl-fly Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763) in
Slovenia is in the submediterranean region and the continental part of Slovenia (d e-
vetak, 2007; d evetak et al., 2002; k lokočovnik et al., 2010; Popov, 2004). The
species is endangered in the r epublic of Slovenia due to natural succession of mead-
ows, pastures and other grassland ecosystems. In the IUCN classification is estimated
as vulnerable (V). Two morphs are recognized in e urope and were found in Slovenia.
In the morph macaronius veins in dark spots in forewings are yellow and, in the
morph kolyvanensis veins in dark spots in forewings are dark. The continental part of
Slovenia and particularly areas at higher altitudes are inhabited by the morph maca-
ronius, and the submediterranean region by kolyvanensis (d evetak, 2007). 
113
ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA SLOVENICA
LJUBLJANA, JUNIJ 2021                Vol. 29, øt. 1: 113–116

Two new records of the owl-fly L. macaronius, morph macaronius, from the
Šentvid plateau, NW Slovenia, are reported here.
o n 11. 6. 2011 at 13.10 one L. macaronius female was discovered on the meadow
with sparsely distributed small bushes, WGS84 coordinates: 46,109100
o
N,
13,880181
o
e (Šentviška Gora, Municipality of Tolmin), at approximately 680 m
a.s.l. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). a ccording to the locals, the meadow is mowed at least
twice a year. 
o n 26. 7. 2020 at 15.30 one owl-fly was discovered on pavement of the road
near dry meadow, WGS84 coordinates: 46,132241
o
N, 13,886701
o 
N (Police, Mu-
nicipality of Idrija), at approximately 790 m a.s.l. Natural succession is seen on the
edges of the meadow and nearby is a water spring which is very rare on this karst
plateau. b ecause the specimen flew away quickly, photo documentation was not
possible. 
Two records nine years apart testify to the species' continual presence in the
Šentvid plateau. The sites are closest to Idrija - Scopoli (1763) described the species
from the Idrija area. a s these are the first data on the species in NW Slovenia, there
is a need for further systematic research.
Acta entomologica slovenica, 29 (1), 2021
114
Fig. 1. Photograph of the specimen found on 11. 6. 2011 (photo: G. Torkar)
Sl. 1. Fotografija osebka najdenega dne 11. 6. 2011 (foto: G. Torkar).

Acknowledgments
I would like to thank d r. d ušan d evetak for comments on the manuscript. 
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115
Fig. 2. Meadow near village Šentviška Gora where the specimen was found (photo:
G. Torkar).
Sl. 2. Travnik blizu vasi Šentviška Gora, kjer je bil osebek najden (foto: G. Tor-
kar).

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Received / Prejeto: 13. 4. 2021
Acta entomologica slovenica, 29 (1), 2021
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