Contribution to the knowledge on true bugs (Insecta: Heteroptera) of Vlasina

Abstract

Flora and fauna of Vlasina are generally recognized as unique in Serbia, which has been confirmed by numerous taxa whose only habitat in Serbia is in Vlasina. True bugs of Vlasina have been insufficiently studied unlike some other insect groups. However, the data available indicates a distinctive endemorelict character of the local true bug fauna. Field research was conducted during 2015 and 2016 with the aim of investigating the diversity of true bugs in Vlasina. The examination of collected specimens revealed 137 species new to Vlasina, which together with previous findings amounts to a total of 169 species for the said area. Species new to the Serbian fauna (Oncotylus punctipes, Orthotylus concolor, Phytocoris austriacus), two Balkan endemic species (Adelphophylus balcanicus and Velia serbica) and over 30 relict species have been recorded. Further research with an emphasis on the fauna of aquatic and wetland habitats could produce even more interesting true bug findings.

Keywords

• hemiptera
• southeastern serbia
• rodopian serbia
• glacial relict
• endemic species