Stoneflies (Plecoptera, Insecta) from Vrachanska Planina Mountains

Abstract

This work summarizes both literature and new data on the fauna of Plecoptera (Insecta) of the Vrachanska Planina Mountains, Bulgaria. A total of 20 species and seven subspecies are known from the mountain. The recorded stoneflies belong to 12 genera and seven families. They represent 25% of the 108 stoneflies currently known from Bulgaria. Among the 27 species that have been recorded, two are Critically Endangered (CR), one –Endangered (EN) and ten – Vulnerable (VU). From a zoogeographical point of view, one subspecies and four species from the Plecoptera, recorded in Vrachanska Planina Mts., are Balkan endemics: Capnopsis schilleri balcanica Zwick, 1984, Leuctra balcanica Rauser, 1965, Leuctra hirsuta Bogoescu, Tabacaru, 1960, Nemoura braaschi Joost, 1970 and Isoperla belai Illies, 1963. Four of the recorded species are rare for Bulgaria.

Keywords

• Plecoptera
• conservation status
• faunistic diversity
• Bulgaria