Saltella sphondylii (Schrank, 1803)

Patrick T. Rohner & Gerhard Bächli, 2016, Faunistic data of Sepsidae (Diptera) from Switzerland and additional countries including the first Swiss record of Meroplius fukuharai (Iwasa, 1984), Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 89, pp. 237-260 : 243-244

Saltella sphondylii (Schrank, 1803)

Material: Switzerland: AG:Habsburg, 450 m, 5.vii.2004, 19.vii.2004, 26.vii.2004, 8.viii.2004 (all leg. Wermelinger); Sarmenstorf, 550 m, 1.vi.2004, 21.vi.2004, 28.vi.2004, 12.vii.2004, 26.vii.2004, 16.viii.2004, 30.viii.2004, 6.ix.2004 (all leg. Wermelinger); Schlossrued, 600 m, 2000 (leg. Duelli); Untersiggenthal/Schlatt, 450 m, 15.viii.1991; Würenlingen, 420 m, 14.viii.1997; Würenlingen/Firsthalde, 420 m, 14.vii.1991. BE:Guttannen, 1000 m, 6.viii.1999; Ligerz, 450 m19.v.2010; Rümligen, 540 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Ruppoldsried, 500 m, iv.– x.1987 (leg. Duelli). BL:Bubendorf, 22.–29.vi.2000 (leg. Wolf); Pratteln, 480 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). FR:Courlevon, 600 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Nuvilly, 650 m, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 (all leg Duelli). GL: Schwändital, 1250 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Vorauen, 800 m, 20.vii.1995, 4.–8.viii.1991. GR:Davos, 2540 m, 2006 (leg. Duelli); Dischmatal, 1600 m, 16.–30.vi.1990, 1.–15.vii.1990, 1.–15.vii.1991, 1.–15.vii.1992, 16.–31.vii. 1991, 1.–24.viii.1990, 1.–27.viii.1992 (all leg. Brodmann); Lantsch, 1460 m, 2005 (leg. Duelli); Lenzerheide, 1520 m, 11.–14.vii.1988, 8.viii.1998, 11.–14.viii.1988; Nationalpark, 2000 m, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Rothenbrunnen, 630 m, 6.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli). JU:La Chaux-des-Breuleux, 1000 m, 26.vi.2003. LU:Dierikon, 550 m, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Luzern, 550 m, 24.vi.–5.viii.2006 (leg. Sattler); Ruswil, 800 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2004 (all leg. Duelli); Sursee, 500 m, 13.vi.2004. SG:Schänis, 2001 (leg. Duelli). SO:Messen, 500 m, 24.v.2004, 7.vi.2004, 14.vi.2004, 21.vi.2004, 28.vi.2004, 5.vii.2004, 12.vii.2004, 19.vii.2004, 26.vii.2004, 2.viii.2004, 23.viii.2004, 30.viii. 2004, 14.ix. 2004 (all leg. Wermelinger); Balmberg, 1050 m, 16.viii.1992; Weissenstein, 1400 m, 6.vii.2001. SZ:Biberbrugg, 1000 m, 25.vi.2011; Holzegg, 1440 m, 19.– 21.viii.1975; Pragelpass, 1550 m, 5.viii.1991. TG:Lommis/Immenberg, 700 m, 4.8.2007; Roggwil, 420 m, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). TI:Acquacalda, 1800 m, 22.–24.vi.2001; Bolle di Magadino, 200 m, 2001, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Lucomagno, 1400 m, 8.viii.1997; Lugano, 24.vi.–5.viii.2006, (leg. Sattler). VD:Changins 430 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Cudrefin, 430 m, 2000, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); La Dôle, 1500 m, 26.vii.2004; Senarclens, 600 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). VS:Bürchen, 1500 m, 2.vii.2001; Guttet, 1500 m, 29.vii.–6.viii.1993; Jeizinen, 1500 m, 26.iv.1999; Mörel, 735 m, 850 m 1090 m, 28.v.2010 (all leg. Obrist); Morgins/Portes de Culet, 1800 m, 28.vii.1004; Morgins/Portes du Soleil, 1800 m, 27.vii.1004; Visp, 650 m, 2001, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). ZG:Steinhausen, 500 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006 (all leg. Duelli). ZH:Dietikon, 390 m, 27.vii.1989, 22.vii.1991; Flaach, 350 m, 7.viii.2001; Rafz, 420 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Uitikon, 540 m, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); Zürich, 450 m, 24.vi.–5.viii.2006 (leg. Sattler).

Czech Republic:Borova Lada, 900 m, 26.viii.1998; Veseli n.L., 450 m, 22.viii. 1998. Liechtenstein: Ruggell, 430 m, 8.viii.1989. France: Haute-Savoie, Salève/Observatoire, 1250 m, 10.viii.2000 (leg. Merz &Bächli). Italy: Sardegna/Costa Caldera, 19.–23.ix.1980 (leg. Arter). Slovakia: Bratislava/Abrod Nature Reserve, 150 m, 1.ix.1990.

Distribution:Holarctic ( Ozerov 2005).

Comments: S. sphondylii is commonly found on cow pastures, where it tends to be more frequent on old dung ( Püchel 1993; Pont &Meier 2002). Males range in colour from dark brown to bright yellow. This species is characterized by an unusual reproductive behaviour ( Martin &Hosken 2004). Copulations are short but females remate readily. Laboratory trials demonstrate that frequent copulation has astrong negative effect on male longevity, while females are not affected.