ABUNDANCE OF EMERGING INSECTS (DIPTERA, C OLEOPTERA, HYMENOPTERA) IN THE CENTRAL HIGH ALPS (TIROL, OTZTAL)

At 2 subalpine meadows (1.960 mNN) and at 2 high alpine sedge mats (2. 600 mNN) in the Otztal Alps near Obergurgl, the abundance and annual p roduction of insects was investigated during 3 vegetation periods [197 5-1977] by means of emergence traps (photoeclectors). In the subalpine meadows, 2.400-3.700 individuals of pterygote insects were captured p er m2 and vegetation period (V-X), in the high alpine sedge mats, the total seasonal (VII-IX) abundance of emerging insects was only half as high (1.500-1.800 ind/m2/a). - At all sites, Diptera (24-77 %) are mo st dominant, followed by Hymenoptera (16-40 %) and Coleoptera (4-17 %) . Sciaridae, Chironomidae, Phoridae, Milichiidae, Cecidomyiidae are th e prevailing familiae of Diptera in the meadows. At the high alpine si tes, the emerging Diptera-Imagines are mainly Sclaridae (50-80 %) and Muscidae (20-30 %). The overall seasonal production of Diptera and Col eoptera amounts to 1.500 mg dw/m2 in the meadows, and to 700 mg dw/m2 in the high alpine sedge mats.