The spatial distribution and plant specificity of Neuropterida in different forest sites in Southern Germany (Raphidioptera and Neuroptera).

Abstract

In Southern Germany the neuropterid fauna of five forest sites was sampled by a set of automatic traps both in the canopy and near the ground. The sites form a gradient regarding the composition of the tree species ranging from a spruce dominated forest, mixed forests with increasing percentages of decidous trees to a stand with oak and beech only. A total of 1396 Neuropterida were caught between 1995 to 1997 representing 44 species of Raphidiidae, Coniopterygidae, Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae. Most species and specimens were caught with flight interception traps in the crown stratum. The assemblage of species differed from site to site and between tree species over all sites. Most species were caught on Quercus petraea followed by Larix decidua, Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica in a decreasing order. Eighteen species were seldom encountered. The more frequent species were divided into: i) coniferous associated species (10 sp.), ii) species of decidous trees (7 sp.), and iii) species with no clear preference (9 sp.).

Keywords

Neuropterida, Raphidioptera, Coniopterygidae, Hemerobiidae, Chrysopidae, canopy fauna, spatial distribution, plant specificity.