High time for omtanke: New mycophagous gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from a fl oodplain forest in central Sweden threatened by continuous clear-felling

Abstract

Two species of mycophagous gall midges (Cecidomyiidae: Porricondylinae: Porricondylini) are described as new to science and named Cassidoides bertanderssoni sp. nov. and Coccopsilis omtanke sp. nov. Both were discovered in 2019 during a taxonomic inventory of mycophagous gall midges in Dalarna’s Unnån valley, amply documented to be an area of extraordinary biological diversity. Other specimens collected during this survey represent the first Swedish records of the mycophagous cecidomyiids Camptomyia regia Spungis, 1989 and Neurolyga interrupta Jaschhof, 2009. The valley of Unnån, a non-straightened, fast-flowing river, is particularly remarkable for its jungle-like floodplain forest, of which extensive, largely unspoiled stretches have survived to the present day, and are shown here to host previously undescribed insect species. Unnån’s ecosystem is, demonstrably and acutely, threatened by continuous clear-felling. In the authors’ opinion such a loss of living environment for countless woodland organisms, many of which red-listed, is behind the times and inacceptable. Using the example of the Unnån, it is discussed here that new species descriptions should join other attempts to raise awareness of the intrinsic value of natural habitats, including old-growth forest, particularly on a local or regional scale. Omtanke (Swedish for consideration or concern) is highlighted as a genuinely Nordic principle, which is argued here to have the power to conciliate in, and finally help to resolve, the Unnån conflict, on condition that it is resolutely and relevantly implemented.

Addendum

A few days ago, on 17 December 2020, we were informed by Bengt Oldhammer, one of the two Orsa-based forest conservationists who supported our fieldwork in the Unnån valley, that the forest hosting the only known Swedish population of Neurolyga interrupta does not exist anymore. It fell victim to the clear-cutting activities criticized in our article as being “behind the times”.

Addendum to: Jaschhof, M. & Jaschhof, C.: High time for omtanke: New mycophagous gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from a floodplain forest in central Sweden threatened by continuous clear-felling. [Hög tid för omtanke: Nya mykofaga gallmyggor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) från en svämskog i centrala Sverige hotade av pågående kalhyggesbruk.] – Entomologisk Tidskrift 141 (4): 191–206. Björnlunda, Sweden 2020. ISSN 0013-886x.