Haris Attila: Hymenoptera Research in the Carpathian Basin - Natura Somogyiensis 29. (Kaposvár, 2016)

Early History of the Aculeata research in Hungary from the 16th till the 19th century (1560–1800)

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Natura Somogyiensis

Although Scopoli's collection was destroyed in two fires in his house in Idria, he reestablished it and took it to Pavia with himself when he left the Academy. Dr Péter Tóth (Miskolc University) tried to find his collection in Pavia and also in Verona but without any success. His intensive correspondence with Carl Linné and with the professors of the Budapest University (Mátyás Pillér and Ignác Bom) are also important documents of his scientific works done in this period. The reason, that Scopoli left Hungary was the royal censorship (last decade of reign of Maria Theresia of Habsburg-Lothringen, queen of Hungary). Between 1772 and 1775 no one of book of Scopoli could be published. According to the decree of the senior royal councillor of mintage and mining affaires, no one was allowed to publish paper or book without prior permission. Especially, Scopoli's one consequence seemed to be very problematic (Principia and Crystallographya Hungarica): "Not all minerals are creations of God".

Johann Friedrich Gmelin (8th August 1748 Tübingen - 1st November 1804 Göttingen) German zoologist and botanist. Gmelin graduated at Tübingen University as medical doctor where he became professor of philosophy after his leaving Tübingen, professor of botany, geology and medicine in Göttingen. In the 13th edition of "Caroli a Linné Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus et differentiis" (Gmelin 1793) he mentioned the occurrence of Apis vespiformis (Cremnitz), Apis agilissima (Hungária inferiore) and Apis luctuosa (Habitat in Hungária) in Hungary based on Scopoli's descriptions.

Johan Christian Fabricius (7th January 1745 Tonder- 3rd March 1808 Kiel) Danish student of Carl Linné, one of the most influential entomologist of the 18th century. He described a nice series of insects from Hungary deposited originally in the Hübner collection. These specimens he received from Jacob Hübner 1761-1826, German entomologist. Lepidoptera specialist.

These are:

Mutilla hirta Fabricius, 1793 "Habitat in Hungária Dom. Hybner"

Tiphia villosa Fabricius, 1793 "Habitat in Hungária Dom. Hybner"

Larra ichneumoniformis Fabricius, 1793 "Habitat in Hungária Dom. Hybner"

Petersen found other 2 species in the Fabricius collection described from Hungary, namely:

Mutilla ciliata Fabricius, 1793 "Habitat Halae Saxonum"

Mutilla hungarica Fabricius, 1793 "Habitat Halae Dorn. Hybner"

According to Leley (2002) and Petersen (1988): they originally were captured in Hungary, based on the original labels in the Fabricius collection (which is confirmed by the name "hungarica"). In Fabricius, 1793, the habitat was erroneously published. Especially the name Mutilla hungarica, strongly confirms Petersen's observation.

The way, how these Hungarian specimens got into the Hübner collection is unknown, however, following the kind advice of Zsolt Bálint (curator of Lepidoptera Collection, Hungarian Natural History Museum), we may say: probably Tóbiás Koy sent specimens to Esper and through Esper got these specimens into the Hübner collection.

Johann Ludwig Christ (18th October 1739- 19th November 1813), German Lutheran clergyman and hymenoptera specialist) listed the following species from Hungary with reference for Sopoli's work: Apis fulviventris, Apis curvicornis, Apis vespiformis, Apis fusca, Apis luctuosa, Apis fuliginosa, Apis (Bomb.) violacea (this from Buda), Sphex hemiptera and Chrysis hungarica in his book, titled Naturgeschichte, Classification und Nomenclatur der Insecten vom Bienen, Wespen und Ameisengeschlecht. He also pro-