Ulrike syriaca (Steinmann, 1964)

Aspoeck, Horst & Aspoeck, Ulrike, 2023, The snakeflies of the Mediterranean islands: review and biogeographical analysis (Neuropterida, Raphidioptera), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 70 (1), pp. 175-218 : 175

Ulrike syriaca (Steinmann, 1964)

Raphidilla syriaca Steinmann, 1964 (odescr): H. Aspöck et al. 1991 (mon).

Ulrike syriaca (Steinmann, 1964): H. Aspöck et al. 1989 (biogeogr, distr); H. Aspöck et al. 1991 (mon); H. Aspöck and Hölzel 1996 (distr); H. Aspöck et al. 2001 (anncat); Haring et al. 2011 (phyl, phyltree); H. Aspöck and U. Aspöck 2013 (cat, etymol), 2014 (cat).

Taxonomy.

H. Aspöck et al. (1991). U. syriaca (Fig. 5a ) is closely related to the second species of the genus, U. attica (H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck), which is so far known from the mainland of Greece only. The species can easily be identified also by eidonomic characters.

Biology and ecology.

Larvae probably soil-dwelling. Development two years. Last hibernating stage: full-grown larva. Adults: IV-V in light forests, particularly on pines at altitudes from 100-1500 m.

Records on Mediterranean islands

(Fig. 10a ). Records only from Cyprus. Syntopic Raphidioptera (in Cyprus): Phaeostigma (Crassoraphidia) cyprica .

Continental distribution.

Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel.

Biogeography.

(Possibly polycentric) Syrian (-Cyprian) faunal element with low expansivity. Most probably the refugial center was primarily somewhere in the Near East, from where the species invaded (passively) Cyprus (see also Phaeostigma (Crassoraphidia) cyprica ).

Figures

Figure 5. a. Ulrike syriaca, ♂. Cyprus, Limassol Forest. Watercolour by Wilhelm Zelenka (1936 - 2011), Vienna. In the possession of H. & U. Aspoeck; b. Raphidia mediterranea, ♂. Upper Austria, Pelmberg near Helmonnsoedt. Foto: H. Bruckner; c. Raphidia mediterranea, ♀. Upper Austria, Pelmberg near Helmonnsoedt. Foto: H. Bruckner; d. Raphidia mediterranea, larva. Upper Austria, Pelmberg near Helmonnsoedt. Foto: H. Bruckner; e. Raphidia ariadne, ♂. Greece, Crete, near Males. Foto: H. Bruckner; f. Raphidia ariadne, ♀. Greece, Crete, Anogia. Foto: H. Bruckner; g. Raphidia ariadne, larva. Greece, Crete, near Males. Foto: H. Bruckner; h. Dichrostigma flavipes, ♂. Lower Austria, Eichkogel near Moedling. Foto: F. Anderle, now Denner.

Figure 10. a. Records of Phaeostigma (Crassoraphidia) cyprica, and of Ulrike syriaca, on Mediterranean islands; b. Records of species of the genus Subilla, S. confinis, S. artemis, S. principiae, and S. colossea, on Mediterranean islands.