Spatial distributions of European clearwing moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Although the sizes of the geographical ranges of plant and animal species are of major interest to macroecologists, the spatial distributions and environmental correlates of only a small group of animals and plants are well studied. Here data on the spatial distributions of 116 European clearwing moths (Sesiidae) was used to determine the patterns in spatial distribution, postglacial colonization and endemism. The spatial distributions of sesiids are significantly more coherent and there are fewer isolated occurrences and unexpected absences than predicted by a random sample null model. After correcting for environmental correlates, islands and mainland countries did not differ significantly in the number of species with small ranges. Polyphagous wood attending species were more widespread than those with other life histories. Species of Siberian origin had wider ranges than those of Mediterranean origin. Nestedness and species co-occurrence analysis did not support a unidirectional postglacial colonization from a Southern European refuge but colonization from both Southern and Eastern Europe.