Serediuk H. Neuropteran insects (Insecta, Neuroptera) of the Ukrainian Carpathians

The thesis is the first complex study of the taxonomic structure and biology (morphology, phenology, trophic diets, altitudinal-belt and areal distribution in particular) of net-winged insects (Neuroptera) in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The recent composition of the neuropteran fauna in the Ukrainian Carpathians has been ascertained (72 species of 26 genera and 9 families). For the first time 8 species have been recorded in the region (Mantispa styriaca, Hemerobius atrifrons, Euroleon nostras, Wesmaelius ravus, W. tjederi, Sympherobius klapaleki, Chrysoperla lucasina, Ch. pallida), the latter five being the first records in Ukraine. The original characters of forewing venation (index ratios Ir1, Ir2, Iim, Im2, Im3) have been distinguished, enabling the imago identification of the regional species to be made without the analyses of genitalia structure. The key to identification of the regional neuropteran species on the basis of the eidonomy of forewings has been proposed. The altitudinal-belt and biotopic distribution of neuropterans in the Ukrainian Carpathians, as well as the seasonal dynamics of imago abundance have been analyzed. The flight periods of 52 neuropteran species have been ascertained for the first time. The list of neuropteran species, which feed on aphides, the pests of orchard and vegetable cultures of the region, has been composed. The bulk of neuropteran fauna in the region is formed of the European forest species. Four neuropteran species are proposed to be included into the Red Data Book of Ukraine: Osmylus fulvicephalus, Hypochrysa elegans, Drepanepteryx phalaenoides, Sisyra nigra.