First confirmation of variegated molehopper Xya variegata (Latreille, 1809) (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae) occuring in Slovenia

• Published in: Natura Sloveniae Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 27 - 35
• Main Author: Bedjanič, Matjaž
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ljubljana Zveza za Tehnicno Kulturo Slovenije 04.03.2024
• Subjects: Adults; Orthoptera; Rivers; Sand & gravel; Tridactylidae; Austria; Europe; Slovenia
• ISSN: 1580-0814; 1854-3081
• DOI: 10.14720/ns.25.1.27-35

The occurrence of the variegated molehopper Xya variegata in Slovenia is confirmed unambiguously for the first time, based on observations of adults and larvae on 24. 3. 2023 and 2. 6. 2023 on the banks of a gravel pit along the Mura River, east of Petišovci in the Prekmurje region, northeastern Slovenia. Thus, the previously doubtful inclusion of the species in the checklist of Slovenian Orthoptera is now justified. Further research is needed to improve knowledge of its distribution and biology. A detailed assessment of the threat status and planning of conservation measures for this threatened and ecologically highly specialised grasshopper species should also be carried out. Pojavljanje pisane krtovke Xya variegata v Sloveniji je bilo prvič nedvoumno potrjeno z opazovanjem odraslih osebkov in ličink dne 24. 3. 2023 in 2. 6. 2023 na obrežju gramoznice ob reki Muri, vzhodno od Petišovcev v Prekmurju, severovzhodna Slovenija. S tem je doslej dvomljiva uvrstitev vrste na seznam kobilic Slovenije upravičena. Za izboljšanje znanja o razširjenosti in biologiji vrste so potrebne nadaljnje raziskave, tako kot tudi ocena stopnje ogroženosti in načrtovanje ohranitvenih ukrepov za to ogroženo, ekološko zelo specializirano vrsto kobilic.