BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA, RHOPALOCERA) OF THE STEPPE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE MIDDLE LENA RIVER VALLEY

Abstract

Rhopalocera fauna of steppe communities in the Middle Lena River valley (Central Yakutia) is represented by 50 species from 35 genera and 6 families, with prevalence of Nymphalidae (35,3% of total species). The xerophilic and mesophilic species inhabit steppe communities, meadow-steppe species dominate here. Percent of eu-steppe species (Pseudophilotes jacuticus, Melitaea phoebe, Triphysa nervosa, Boeberia parmenio, Erebia polaris, E. rossii) is small in collected samples (4%). Analysis of faunal similarities of steppe communities showed that studied communities form 3 groups: South-Western, Central-Yakutian and Mountain-Steppe. Distribution of species inhabiting steppe communities of Middle Lena is mainly characterized by wide longitudinal extent. At the same time, West Central Palaearctic, Euro-Siberia-Central Asian and South Siberian-Daurian-Mongolian species are recorded here; they inhabit the warmest habitats of Central Yakutia.