Platycleis vittata (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in the northwestern part of its range is close to extinction: is this the result of landscape changes?

The northwestern distributions of several steppe species of Orthoptera extend to the southeastern part of the Czech Republic (Pannonia) and occupy more or less isolated fragments of optimal habitats. Their distributional limits are not conditioned by macroclimate in most cases but reflect landscape development (physical structure, plant community type and microclimate) and the insects' dispersal abilities. These species prefer permanent grassland, and assessment of land use records indicates that the area occupied by permanent grassland has been greatly reduced by agriculture over the last two centuries. The area occupied by permanent grasslands in Pannonia was highest in the nineteenth century, declined until the second half of the twentieth century, and slightly increased at the beginning of the twenty first century. These changes in the area of permanent grassland generally reflect economic and political processes; in particular, consolidation of land plots and expropriation of private property brought an end to grazing. The distribution of a model Orthoptera specialist, Platycleis vittata, on steppe habitats was surveyed at 48 potentially suitable locations from 2004 to 2010. The survey determined that the area with suitable habitat is currently very limited at all 48 locations. Occurrence was confirmed in just two locations that are 3 km apart. The research suggests that Platycleis vittata in the Czech Republic is on the brink of extinction because of extreme fragmentation of suitable biotopes and degradation of optimal habitats.