Anonconotus alpinus (Yersin, 1858)

Habitat:
Anonconotus alpinus inhabits sunny alpine meadows and gappy dwarf shrub slopes from 1200 to over 2300m above sea level

Life cycle:
The eggs overwinter in the moss or the top soil layer, probably several times. Adults occur from July to October.

Endangerment factors:
Anonconotus alpinus is in higher elevations only locally endangered, but in lower altitudes much more (tourism, intensification, reforestation).

Remarks:
Anonconotus alpinus is missing in Germany and can be found in the western Alps (W-Switzerland, northern French Alps, NW-Italy: Aosta). Furthermore it occurs isolated on the Austrian Arlberg.

In the East Alps (Italy/Austria: S- and E-Tyrol, Carinthia, S-Salzburg) closely related populations occur. These are nowadays usually considered as a distinct species A. italoaustriacus. This depends on the point of view (species vs. subspecies) and in my opinion the subspecies rank may be sufficient.