Review of Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) occurring in the Curonian Spit (Baltic Coast of Lithuania)

Abstract

In this paper, 24 species of Nepticulidae belonging to 14 species groups and seven genera are reported from the Curonian Spit (the Baltic Coast of Lithuania). The species occurring in the peninsula are associated with host-plants of 14 genera belonging to eight families. About half of these nepticulid species feed on plants of Betulaceae and Rosaceae families. As far as distribution ranges of nepticulid species are concerned, the species occurring in the Curonian Spit fall into nine chorological groups: one third of the species are with broad Palaearctic distributions (Trans-Palaearctic, Amphi-Palaearctic, Euro- Siberian or West-Palaearctic), another third have broad European distribution ranges (Euro-Caucasian, Euro-Submediterranean or Euro-Mediterranean), while the remaining species have restricted European ranges (Euro-Nemoral or predominantly Sub-Baltic distribution). The current article presents the taxonomic list of all currently known nepticulid species occurring in the Curonian Spit together with data on host-plants, detailed information on species distribution and photographs of leaf-mines. Illustrations of adults and male genitalia of a rare species occurring in sand dunes of the peninsula (Stigmella zelleriella) are provided.

Keywords:

• Lepidoptera
• Nepticulidae
• Curonian Spit
• Lithuania
• fauna
• chorological groups