Some informations on the orobiontic fauna of Trichoptera of the Italian Western Alps above 2000 m¹

Abstract

During the years 1964 and 1965 investigations on aquatic stages and adults of Trichoptera have been made in the Alps between Monte Rosa and Maritime Alps in 122 stations between 250 and 2700 m above sea level. Except of three, these stations are on Italian territory. Field research has been carried out in August, September, October and November of 1964 and in June and August of 1965. Various kinds of water bodies, such as springs, waterfalls, brooks, torrents, lakes, ponds, marshes and peat-bogs, were investigated. Many of the 122 stations have been examined more than once, and in several of them sampling has been effectuated in order to ascertain the environmental factors which might influence the aquatic stages (temperature, pH, hardness, dissolved oxygen, depth, stream velocity and composition of the bottom). Samples have been taken during daytime and also by night with the aid of fluorescent lamps.

This paper is a part of the investigation program on the trichopterofauna of the Western Alps, financed by the Italian C.N.R. We take the opportunity for thanking Prof. Athos Goidanich, Director of the Entomological Institute of the University of Torino and of the Centro di Studio di Entomologia Alpina e Forestale del C.N.R., for having entrusted us with the present research.