1. Elevational gradients influence the distribution and abundance of species drastically and can lead to variation in community composition. Although coprophagous flies are of ecological and economic importance, their biodiversity and distribution are largely neglected. We studied the impact of steep elevational gradients and geography on the distribution of sepsid flies in the Swiss Alps.2. Sepsidae are a family of acalyptrate flies strongly associated with decaying organic matter and vertebrate dung, and characterised by a high extent of sympatry in their breeding substrates. Historical, haphazardly sampled specimens from 116 locations covering an elevational range from 200 to 2000 m were available in ethanol collections of various Swiss museums.3. Nineteen species encompassing all native genera (Meroplius, Nemopoda, Saltella, Sepsis and Themira) were recorded. Local species richness increased linearly with elevation, while area-corrected regional species richness of elevational belts increased asymptotically. Species occurring at higher altitudes had lower wing loadings and greater elevational ranges than lowland species, supporting Rapoport's elevational rule.4. Despite compositional similarities, the sepsid communities of the northern lowlands differed significantly from the alpine sepsid fauna. The southern lowlands were particularly differentiated in community composition due to a number of presumably thermophilic species that predominantly occur south of the Alps.5. Relative abundances of several species were thus strongly affected by elevation and climatic variables. We illustrate the impact of elevational gradients and geography on a community of closely related, often sympatric species, and discuss potential mechanisms of niche partitioning via temporal succession, thermal adaptation and differential resource use.

Abstract.  1. The effects of the current changes in traditional agricultural practices in the Alps on the biodiversity affecting ecosystem functions and services are little known. Vineyards are among the oldest anthropogenic environments of high cultural and natural value that shape the landscape of large areas in Central and Southern Europe. In several mountain regions of the Alps, vineyards are a valid alternative to the landscape homogenisation that has followed post‐cultural land abandonment and agriculture intensification. Key unanswered questions remain regarding the relative contribution of several factors that influence biodiversity, and the level in management pressure with regard to taxonomic and functional diversity enhancement. 2. To answer these questions, we sampled leafhoppers (Auchenorrhyncha) as a model taxon using different standard techniques along 24 vine transects within 8 vineyard complexes in Southern Switzerland. Each transect included one vine row, vine canopy, its interrow and the adjacent slope; the latter two were permanently grass‐covered. Data were analysed using a four‐step approach. 3. Environment (five variables) and Management (four variables) accounted for most of the variance in the leafhopper assemblage. Pesticide use (insecticide and herbicide) and slope mowing are the most important management predictors of leafhopper species composition. 4. With increasing management pressure (i.e. pesticide and mowing), the number of indicator species and particularly the specialists (i.e. stenotopic and oligotopic species) decreases dramatically. 5. To promote taxonomic and functional complexity of communities in vineyard systems, we suggest low management pressure with moderate use of pesticide and a low intensity regime of slope mowing.

(1) The management of agricultural landscapes for pest suppression requires a thorough understanding of multiple determinants controlling their presence. We investigated the ecological preferences of indigenous parasitoids and their drosophilid hosts to understand the role of native parasitoids as biological control agents of the invasive frugivorous Drosophila suzukii. (2) Using data from an extensive field survey across different habitat types we analyzed the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on parasitoid and drosophilid communities at multiscale levels. (3) Eight parasitoid and 27 drosophilid species were identified. Thirty-four percent variation in drosophilid communities was explained by factors at the landscape scale, and 52% of significant variation of parasitoids by local distribution of three drosophilid species, mainly collected in woodland. Parasitoid communities were significantly influenced by microhabitat type (ground versus canopy) rather than habitat type. All parasitoids except Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae preferred the ground microhabitat. All parasitoids, with the exception of Trichopria drosophilae and Spalangia erythromera, displayed significant preferences among the drosophilid species used in the baited traps. (4) Since they can tolerate a broad range of habitat factors, altogether pupal parasitoids investigated in this study could play a role in biological control programs to suppress D. suzukii, but non-target effects have to be regarded.

A new Periscelididae species, Periscelis (Myodris) haenniisp. nov., is described from Losone near Locarno, Canton Ticino (Southern Switzerland). It has been found during a biodiversity survey using attractant traps in a Querco-Castagnetum forest. This new species is closely related and very similar to P. (M.) annulata (Fallén, 1813) occurring syntopically in the same traps. Interestingly, also P. (M.) piricercus Carles-Tolrá & Verdugo Páez, 2009 co-occurred with these species; consequently, all European species of the subgenus Myodris Lioy, 1864 were found in this locality. A new illustrated key to males of these species is presented. The DNA sequences of the barcoding region of COI for all these species are given.

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