Sokolov Repak from the Mediterranean « Land » to Zlatibor: a new type of butterfly in Serbia – science revealed

Researchers of the Association for Sustainable Development and Preservation of Natural Habitats of Serbia « HabiproT « from Novi Sad and the Natural Mathematical Faculty in Kragujevac in the middle of May, in the area of ​​the Nature Park, the presence of a new type of daily butterfly in Serbia – Papilio Alexanor, and the species received the National Name of Sokolov Repak.

This is officially 202. The type of daily butterflies in Serbia and is one of the most intriguing species in Europe. The finding is particularly significant, because Sokolov is a refuse reasons for environmental networks Natura 2000 and is listed in Annex II Directive on the Habitats of the European Union.

Entomologists Assistant Professor Dr Filip Vukajlović, Kosta Vojnović and Miloš Kostić recorded Sokolovo Reka on the Nature Park « Zlatibor », on the slopes of the Lower River Canyon, directly above the Uvac monastery, towards Rudo. That date, 9. May we can lead as a « birthday » of Sokolovo Repka in our country.

A few days later, 12. and 13. Maja Extended group of researchers, Dr. Filip Vukajlović, Ivan Tot, again confirmed the presence of this species in Zzava, in Rzava Ka Kotroman, thus determined that this species in Serbia were populating.

Sokolov Repak is a typical pontusic-Mediterranean species, widespread from Spain, across the south of France, North Italy, the Adriatic coast, Greece, Turkey and Male Asia, all the way to the Caucasus and Iran. In the countries of the Western Balkans, data on the presence of Sokolovo Repka are known from the first half of the 20th century, and dozens of years of this butterfly were not recorded in these countries.

Since 2015., has been re-found in Northern Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Due to the proximity of this butterfly from neighboring countries (Nevidio in Montenegro and Raduša in Northern Macedonia), but insufficient research of Serbia, it was expected that the species present in Presevo Boiler and the Village Valley, the researchers from Novi Sad and Kragujevac.

So far, only males have been recorded, and what about females?

Sokolov Pokpak is one of our most stretched daily butterflies, and looks at our frequent species, Last’s tail and striped sailor. The shape and color resembles Lasting Repka, and with longitudinal tiger stripes and characteristic flight, on a striped sailboat. The National Name « Sokolov Repak » received her relative, Lastin’s Repka, but was named after gray Sokol, which has striped patterns (see Anthrfile).

It inhabils hot and open habitats, mainly slopes of the gorge and canyons, where the plants are present with food trickles, and these are some species from the family of the protip. It is often local, so it can always be found in a small space.

The team of researchers will visit Zlatibor’s space again, would not determine whether the Rok’s Repka has some other locations.

– We will soon perform another confirmation of the location. Also, since all specimens recorded by males are recorded, now we will check for women in those areas, says today the entomologist Dr Filip Vukajlović from the Biology Institute and Ecology Kragujevac PMFwho participated in the team of this scientific discoveries.

Laye of habitats of Sokolovo Repka Photo: Filip Vukajlović

It inhabits mainly slopes of the gorge and canyon photo: Ivan Tot

In the Laika question, how to see the gender level at the butterflies, our interlocutor fits that this is relatively easy in this one. Of course there are those in whom it is harder.

Also, the scientific-research team will also look for a caterpillar themselves to establish whether the butterfly develops just in these sites, or that from Bosnia (RS) or Montenegro, which is less likely.

Spreading of the fundish kinds of « gift » of climate change or something else?

And, whether the phenomenon of this, new kinds of climate change, the question that is logically imposed.

« It’s a big question, our interlocutor is honest.

His personal opinion is that actually this kind was not already well investigated, mean enough in a certain period of time.

– But in recent years, we definitely see that many species living in the Mediterranean and Submediterranean climates are slowly moving continental, towards the center of the Balkans or even further, north. When we talk specifically about newly discovered daily butterflies, these were all Mediterranean species. Such as Male Plavac, a species from South Africa, which was transferred to Europe with men feeding. She was first divided by the Mediterranean, a few years ago, was found in Nas in Nis. In the vicinity of the pcinja 2021. a Dračac was found, which feeds the leaves of Drača, states.

Mostly the findings were perimeter, in the south or southeastern Serbia, which is an indication of Dr. Vukajlović, which will be expanded in some way. He always leaves the possibility of certain species simply yet, but also the fact is that winters are all shorter, to survive at that time in this area where earlier conditions have not been corresponded.

Good environmental indicators

According to him (and, not only him) this is very important to him.

– Daily butterflies are a significant group of insects. In the world of entomology, they are also a « most popular » group for several reasons but above all they are beautiful. The second is not a small endeavor (Pro) to find and catch a butterfly, he states.

However, butterflies are good indicators of environmental quality.

– Laic, they fly and seems that if you destroy one of their habitat, they are unattached to another and that’s not a problem. However, it is forgotten that the butterfly spends most of his life as a caterpillar that feeds on the plant, so it is statutory. So if you destroy plants and habitat tomorrow we will not have those types, warn our interlocutor.

Therefore, the research, counting of butterflies, which species in our country are very important because you can very quickly determine not only biological changes in the environment than some long-term « problems » that occur from bad but also good action.

– If you have a smaller diversity with fewer species and small individuals it makes it clear to us that something is not properly. Conversely, more species with more populations are the indicator of better environment and more favorable conditions in nature, concludes optimistic end of entomologist Filip Vukajlović.

You can read more detailed about the first find of Sokolovo Repka in Serbia in the scientific journal Kragujevac Journal of Science. Also, a new scientific-popular book, manual « Daily butterflies of Serbia » in the release of Habiprot, which will now be richer for another chapter on this very interesting type of Leplit – Sokolovo Rep.

Could be the southern Lastin repack

The doubt that the newly discovered species can have a popular name of our sab vernik to us on the spot demystifia.

– Generally folk names have species that the people call. But, according to Britain where science is most popular, all kinds have a popular name. There people, who are not scientists but amateurs, lover and hobbyists collect data related to the Ra various species – such as bird watchers. There, every newly discovered species « gets » immediately and its people’s name and we tried to « copy, » he says.

These are names that are designed and agreed.

– Say, we know about Last’s Reps, but how to « Narodno » call a new species? So we are the population of « tailored » that name – Sokolov rep. There were several proposals from « godparents »: only Aleksanor, the southern Lastin Repak … but it was singing our, striking name – Sokolov Repak, explains Dr. Vukajlović.

Lopping (Re) detected after 90 years

This year « Fasting is very good for research » butterflies, according to Dr. Filip Vukajlović. Recently, another species found, which is not new to Serbia, but not seen or registered for a full 90 years. It is a lopping (Achine Lopping) that is very endangered in the entire Europe.

– Her populations declining significantly because it has special « requirements » from habitats. It must be a specific oak forest in which special plants grow, grasses that feed. At the last time, it was recorded before the full nine decades in the vicinity of Majdanpek, according to our interlocutor.

She was found recently in Western Srem in Bosuth Forests. In the opinion, Dr. Vukajlović is the possibility of Lopinge It also has in the area of ​​Gornji Danube. Both species, Sokolov repp and lopping are very protected in the European legislation, notes.

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