Contribution to the knowledge of Mantispoidea, Osmyloidea, and Myrmeleontoidea with new records for the Neuroptera fauna of northwestern Turkey

Abstract

Extensive surveys were carried out between 1992 and 2011 to determine the occurrence and distribution of the neuropteran superfamilies of Mantispoidea, Osmyloidea, and Myrmeleontoidea in Bursa, northwestern Turkey. A total of 345 specimens from 20 species belonging to 7 families were collected at 48 localities using a sweep net. The families of Berothidae, Dilaridae, Mantispidae, Osmylidae, Ascalaphidae, Myrmeleontidae, and Nemopteridae were represented by 1, 1, 3, 1, 3, 10, and 1 species, respectively. Of these, 13 species were new records for Bursa Province, while 7 species were recorded from northwestern Turkey for the first time. The most widespread species were Libelloides rhomboideus rhomboideus, Distoleon tetragrammicus, and Mantispa aphavexelte. Predatory Mantispa styriaca adults were commonly found on Quercus cerris trees. The total number of species was highest during June, with 12 species that month. There were 14, 18, and 11 species occurring at altitudes of 1-500 m, 500-1000 m, and 1001-1500 m, respectively. Based on the zoogeographical categories of the collected species, the Pontomediterranean elements were dominant, with 10 species. The remaining categories included 8 Holomediterranean species, 1 Eremial species (Cueta beieri), and 1 species (Myrmeleon formicarius) originating from the Siberian centers.