Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 63. (Budapest 1971)
Kovács, L.: Data to the knowledge of Hungarian Macrolepidoptera VI. Data with respect to migrating and spreading species
The species finds the most favourable conditions for breeeding in Hungary in the southern part of the country. Individual numbers reach here their highest values (Maps 7 and 8) ; 46 per cent of the animals captured were taken by 5 traps operating in the south (Gerla, Tolna, Szederkény, Kunfehértó, Tompa), whereas the further 54 per cent are distributed among the other 48 traps. The ecological requirements of the species are inferable from the least number of specimens originating from traps operating in closed woods and in the higher parts of mountainous regions, while individual numbers were higher in the material of traps situated in open places, including also ruderal localities. The problem of indigeneity of the species should yet briefly be considered. There is no doubt that early specimens, representing the main period of the first brood, have already been found in several points of the Transdanubia. Also indubitably, obstipata has a comparatively weak flight and does not belong to the species whose individuals are able to cover considerable distances from the site of their emergence (KOVÁCS, 1955). However, the first generation is still such a rare occurrence and the number of observed specimens is so low that the regular, contiguous hibernation of the species cannot be safely inferred in Hungary. That the species appears comparatively early within our borders might be explained by its localities of continuous breeding being not too far removed from the southern part of the Transdanubia. Accordingly, the area of obstipata does not extend to within our borders. Hungary belongs to the periphery of the area, divisible into several zones. The first among these is that part of the Transdanubia wherein the first brood may occasionally be observed, but where a hibernation is exceptional. In the following zones, the first brood fails to appear, but the breeding conditions are extremely favourable during the summer months, as evinced also by the high individual numbers. This zone comprises the larger southern part of the Great Plains, as well as a part of the Northern Transdanubia. Beyond this region, the third peripheral tone shows less favourable conditions for breeding, extending, according to literature data (HRUBY, 1964; STERZL, 1967), also beyond our borders. Evaluation of data A 7 , obstipata does not belong to the constant elements of the Hungarian fauna, since it can weather our winters only occasionally. Hungary falls into the periphery of its area, but the localities of constant breeding of obstipata are probably adjacent to our frontiers. Conditions during the summer months greatly favour the breeding of the species which happens in several concurrent or overlapping ecological generations. The main region of immigration of obstipata is in the southwestern part of the country. Immigrations from this direction may, by the end of the breeding season, reach also the northeastern part of the country, but the available data imply that an immigration occurs also from the east. Hungary is also a transitional territory of the migrations of obstipata, towards Austria in the west and towards Czechoslovakia in the north.
