Range dynamics of some nemoral species of Lepidoptera in the Russian Far East due to climate change

Evgeny S Koshkin,Aleksandr A Kuzmin,Vitaly G Bezborodov

doi:10.37828/em.2021.45.10

Abstract

New finds of seven East Asian Lepidoptera species in the Russian part of the southern Priamurye (Amur Basin area) are presented. Lobocla bifasciata (Bremer et Grey, 1853) (Hesperiidae), Acosmeryx naga (Moore, [1858]) and Rhagastis mongoliana (Butler, [1876]) (Sphingidae) were found in the Amur Oblast’ for the first time. Ambulyx tobii (Inoue, 1976) (Sphingidae) was first discovered in the Khabarovsk Kray; it was also found in the Chernigovsky district of the Primorsky Kray, northward from the previously known localities. New finds of very rare nemoral species, Chrysozephyrus brillantinus (Staudinger, 1887) (Lycaenidae) and Clanis undulosa Moore, 1879 (Sphingidae), in the Khabarovsk Kray are reported. It is shown that the subtropical and tropical species Siglophora sanguinolenta (Moore, 1888) (Nolidae), first collected in Russia in 2020, has successfully naturalized in the southern Khabarovsk Kray. New finds of these species indicate that the species have extended their ranges northward and naturalized in new areas. This has occurred due to climate changes in the Amur River basin over the past decades such as the rising average annual and average air temperatures during cold periods.

Highlights

Despite the relatively good knowledge of such Lepidoptera fauna representatives as Papilionoidea, Sphingidae, and some other Lepidoptera groups inhabiting the southern Amur Oblast’ and Khabarovsk Kray (Streltzov et al 2003; Dubatolov & Dolgikh 2007; Koshkin & Novomodnyi 2008; Streltzov 2014; and others), new species have recently been discovered in these territories
It has been previously recorded in Priamurye based on sparse finds made in the southern Khabarovsk Kray and Jewish Autonomous Oblast’ (Yamauti & Novomodnyi 2000; Koshkin & Novomodnyi 2008; Koshkin 2014) (Fig. 1)
In Priamurye, larvae presumably feed on Lespedeza bicolor (Fabaceae), which is widespread in the nemoral zone of the Russian Far East (Koshkin 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Despite the relatively good knowledge of such Lepidoptera fauna representatives as Papilionoidea, Sphingidae, and some other Lepidoptera groups inhabiting the southern Amur Oblast’ and Khabarovsk Kray (Streltzov et al 2003; Dubatolov & Dolgikh 2007; Koshkin & Novomodnyi 2008; Streltzov 2014; and others), new species have recently been discovered in these territories. The extension of its range is apparently limited by climatic factors only, since the host plant of larvae (Quercus mongolica) is widespread in the southern part of the Russian Far East, being one of the edificator species in broad-leaved forests.

Results

Conclusion