The first record of Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) in Russia in the context of the contemporary distribution of this species in the Western Palaearctic

Abstract

Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) is recorded for the Great Caucasus and Russia (Dagestan) for the first time. The peculiarities of the species distribution in the Caucasus are discussed and records in Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan) are confirmed by a new material. Trends of its distribution changes in the Western Palaearctic are analyzed. The paper provides the analysis of the factors influencing the establishment of resident populations of this migrant species (larval food plants, temperature conditions etc). The possibilities of forming of stable populations of this species in the Great Caucasus are discussed: the climatic features in Dagestan are significantly different from those in the localities of resident populations of D. chrysippus in Europe, while the larval host plant is widely distributed in the East Caucasian region. The ecological valence and migratoryi activity of this species suggest that in the future it can form resident populations in the east of the Great Caucasus. The climate change impact on the distribution and migratory activity of D. chrysippus in Europe and the Caucasus is discussed

Keywords

• danaus chrysippus
• distribution
• dagestan
• caucasus
• western palaearctic