The unexpected northward migration of some species of insects in Central Europe and the climatic changes

Abstract

From 1974 to 1983 a stable and considerable northward expansion of range (200 to 700 km) of some southern insects was detected. One of the most important causes of this phenomenon appears to be that winters were mild for several years. These data on expansion, involving several groups of insects, illuminate studies on the effects of the warming-up of the climate. The expansion range observed caused considerable economic problems, requiring regional and international remedial actions. © 1986 Verlag Paul Parey.