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.