RURAL SPRING GEOMETER MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA, GEOMETROIDEA LEACH, 1815) IN KOSOVO AND METOHIA (SERBIA)

This paper shows the presence of the rural geometer moths in 15 localities of Kosovo and Metohia (Serbia). A review of existing data regarding the area of Kosovo and Metohia is given. Through research, the presence of 48 species was revealed. Between them, five species are reported as new for the fauna of Kosovo and Metohia: Plagodis pulveraria (Linnaeus, 1758), Scotopteryx luridata (Hufnagel, 1767), Catarhoe cuculata (Hufnagel, 1767), Anticlea badiata (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and Anticlea derivata (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775).


INTRODUCTION
The  order Lepidoptera Linnaeus1758, with 45 superfamilies, represents one of the larger order of insects. Among them, the superfamily of geometer moths (Geometroidea Leach, 1815), with 999 species in Europe, belongs to the number of species in the more significant group of Lepidoptera (Nieukerken et al., 2011). In Serbia, this group of insects is represented by more than 350 species (Dodok, 2006). With this in mind, it is clear that the fauna of this group is insufficiently explored in Serbia.
The first faunistic data on the geometer moths in Kosovo and Metohia are found in the work of Rebel (1917). At that time, during the First World War, part of Metohija was connected to Montenegro ("Neumontenegro").The area of Ţljeb Mt., Novo Selo (north of Peć) and the surroundings of Peć, Ribarić and Čečevo Brdo were investigated. The presence of 95 species was established and this result represents a pioneering contribution of the author. Vukčević (1954) published next data on the geometer moths in Kosovo and Metohia. Among the identified species of plant diseases and pests, the author also lists the winter moths specie Operophtera brumata L. and Erannis defoliaria (Clerck, 1759). ĐorĎije Đorović, from the Forestry Institute in Peć, specialized in studying the defoliators of oak. Among the numerous representatives of defoliators, Đorović identified 25 species of Geometridae (Đorović, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1980 and 1992).
After this period, practically no one specialized in the study of geometer moths in Kosovo and Metohia. In the period from 1972 to 1999, Predrag Jakšić collected specimens of this group. Some of the data are published (Jakšić, 2016;Jakšić & Ristić (1999) 2001. (Tomić et al., 2002). One part of his data, comprising 80 species, is included in a study of the family of this * Corresponding author: nebojsa.zivic@pr.ac.rs group in Serbia (Tomić et al., 2002). In addition, several other authors have contributed to the knowledge of this group, as indicated in the References.
Some of rural and urban Geometridae species were primarily known for melanism, an example of a wellinvestigated species of the genus Biston (Bishop, 1972;Ford, 1955). Therefore, they can be indicators of the quality of the environment. Considering Rebel's (1917) research is already 100 years old, it was interesting to compare his results with ours.
As can be seen from this review, the fauna of this group of Lepidoptera is still insufficiently studied in Serbia. Likewise, the fauna of urban and rural areas, which usually contains synanthropic species, has remained under-researched. In addition, previous research was carried out for the most part during the summer period.
Bearing these facts in mind, we thought it would be important to study the urban and rural spring fauna of geometer moths in a few localities of Kosovo and Metohia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Specimens of the studied species were collected in the territory of Kosovo and Metohia in a period from 1974 to 2019. Collection was carried out at the following sites (Tab. 1).
Altitude and site coordinates are determined according to Google Earth, available on the Internet.
Collection was carried out at night, using a 160 W bulb (Mercury vapour Lamp, 160 W, BB Link Lighting). Preparation of the collected material and the production of permanent microscope slides of the genital armatures were carried out by standard procedure. Genital armatures were recorded as needed on a Nikon binocular microscope using a digital Nikon camera with an AF-S Micro Nikkor Lens.
Species determination was based on wing parameters and analysis of genital armatures, if necessary. The literature given in the References was used for determination based on the wing parameters.
The classification of Lepidoptera at the levels of order, superfamily and family is according to Nieukerken et al. (2011). Taxonomy and nomenclature of examined species was done according to Müller et al. (2019). Species ID numbers and systematic order are done according to Karsholt & Razowski (1996) Đorović (1976, 1979, 1992) reported this species for K & M.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Presented here are the 48 species of the Geometridae Leach, 1815 family recorded in Kosovo and Metohia. The specimens were collected from 15 localities during winter and spring in 1979., 1980., 1982., 2018 « -Decorata Brkh. Specimens from Taganrog are strongly lighter than German ones; transverse lines crossing middle of wings are slightly visible; lace-shaped pattern near outer margin is much more pale and does not rich upper angle of forewing. Size of specimens from Taganrog is similar to those of Northern Iran: 27-29mm, while German specimens: 20-23mm. According to my information specimens of this species are larger and lighter in the East than type from Western Europe and I propose to name the eastern form for example as varietas Orientalis. Moth is not rare; flying from end of May till September.» Among the specimens examined in Kosovo and Metohia, 5 species of the Scopula Schrank, 1802 genus were found, but not the two aforementioned species.
Members of the Geometridae family are particularly sensitive to industrial pollution. This is why melanistic forms occur. Among the specimens collected, we found no melanistic forms. This serves to show that the environment is relatively well preserved.