Invertebrates

Invertebrates of the Northern Velebit National Park 

In the past, research into invertebrates in the Northern Velebit National Park was rare and unsystematic. With each new research new insights are gained into their wealth. In the Northern Velebit National Park about sixty spider species, thirty beetle species, about a hundred diurnal butterfly species and some sixty moth species have been identified.

There is an especially interesting subterranean animal life, with each new research yielding new species, many of which endemic. In recent years a number of species which are new to science have been discovered. During speleological research of some 20 pits, over 30 subterranean species of different groups have been identified (insects, snails, molluscs, centipedes, false scorpions, crustaceans, bristle worms and leeches). All of them are strictly protected, with almost a half endemic to a specific smaller or larger area.

Velebit Leech (Croatobranchus mestrovi)

Velebit leech, a species endemic to Northern Velebit, was discovered in Lukina pit in 1992 and is the most significant animal discovery in the Park. It is completely adapted to the life in the subterranean, and has so far been discovered in only four deep pit caves in the Park. It is mostly found at depths below 500 meters, usually clinging to the walls in a thin layer of flowing water or in hollows with running water. It has a flat body, about 25 – 45 millimeters long and 10 millimeters wide, with ten pairs of lateral gill-like processes characteristic of this species, most probably serving as respiratory organs. The leech is milky white to yellowish in color, it has no eyes and is bisexual. It has a small sucker at the front of the body, and a larger one at the back. It is often seen clinging to the wall with the help of its back sucker, the front facing a water stream, while twisting its body as if trying to catch something. Very little is still known about the life of Velebit leech.

Some of the most species-rich animal groups in Velebit are the butterflies. They are found everywhere – on grasslands, in the rocks and in forests, with over seventy species identified in the Park so far. Some of the most interesting species inhabiting the park include Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne), Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis), Chequered Blue Butterfly (Scoltandites orion), Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe), Southern Festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) and others.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo)

A member of the swallowtail family, Apollo is one of our most beautiful butterflies. This butterfly species inhabits very restricted small areas, mountain pastures and rocky highland habitats at altitudes ranging between 1000 and 2000 meters. Its most distinctive features are the red, black-edged eye-spots with a white centre on its wings. An interesting fact is that each Apollo has different shaped eye-spots, similar to fingerprints in humans. The wings are covered with scales and partly with white hairs. It is believed that the Slovene mountaineer Alojz Knafelc, the inventor of the Knafelc trail blaze, was inspired by the Apollo butterfly in creating this mark. In Croatia, Apollo is strictly protected and is included in the Red List of Threatened Butterflies of Croatia under the Vulnerable category.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo)

A member of the swallowtail family, Apollo is one of our most beautiful butterflies. This butterfly species inhabits very restricted small areas, mountain pastures and rocky highland habitats at altitudes ranging between 1000 and 2000 meters. Its most distinctive features are the red, black-edged eye-spots with a white centre on its wings. An interesting fact is that each Apollo has different shaped eye-spots, similar to fingerprints in humans. The wings are covered with scales and partly with white hairs. It is believed that the Slovene mountaineer Alojz Knafelc, the inventor of the Knafelc trail blaze, was inspired by the Apollo butterfly in creating this mark. In Croatia, Apollo is strictly protected and is included in the Red List of Threatened Butterflies of Croatia under the Vulnerable category.

Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosynae)

Clouded Apollo is similar to Apollo, but lacks the red and white spots on the wings, which are partly transparent. It is more common than Apollo, and is usually found at altitudes above 1000 meters, and only rarely in dry and hot habitats close to the sea level. In Croatia, it is a strictly protected species and is included in the Red List of Threatened Butterflies of Croatia under the Least Concern category.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)

This moth is a member of the hawk moth family. It normally flies during the day until dusk, and rests on the rocks during the night. It is a very good, agile and persistent flyer. It sucks the nectar with its long proboscis never sitting on the flower, but hovering and fluttering above it like a hummingbird. Flitting from flower to flower, it can visit as many as a hundred flowers in 4-5 minutes, transporting pollen with its proboscis.

Olive Bee Hawk Moth (Hemaris croatica) – Invertebrates

Described for the first time in Karlovac, this hawk moth is resident in southeast Europe and parts of southwest Asia. It has a beautiful light olive-green body with a red second pair of wings. Its way of life is similar to that of hummingbird hawk moth and is commonly found on the south-lying slopes of mountain ranges. It is incorporated in the emblem of the Croatian Entomological Society.

Common Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) – Invertebrates

This large-sized butterfly has a wingspan of 75 millimeters. Lovely markings and hind wings with protruding dark tails make this species one of the most beautiful butterflies. It is found in grasslands and rocky grounds on calcareous base. In mountain areas it can be found up to altitudes of 1500 meters. It is classified as a strictly protected species.

Scarce Swallowtail (Ipchiclides podalirius) – Invertebrates

A large and easily recognized diurnal butterfly, it is similar to the common yellow swallowtail. Somewhat less colorful, it has vertical black stripes on the wings and a longer tail on the hind wings. It usually flutters around flowers, bushes and ponds.