THE RECORDS ON INSECTS AND SPIDERS IN CROATIA IN THE WORKS OF ALBERT FORTIS

Venecijanski opat, prirodoslovac i putopisac A. Fortis boravio je u hrvatskim krajevima od Istre do Dubrovnika 11 puta kroz 26 godina (1765-1791). Prikazani su manje poznati ili nepoznati Fortisovi zapisi o kukcima i nekim srodnim životinjama s tog područja. Iz detaljnog opisa te crteža štitaste uši na smokvi na otoku Ugljanu autor zaključuje da se radi o smokviniom mediću Ceroplastes rusci L. Fortis spominje i najvećeg europskog pauka tarentulu Lycosa tarentula Rossi, te najotrovnijeg pauka Europe i jednog od najotrovnijih pauka na svijetu crnu udovicu Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Rossi. To je i prvi zapis latrodektizma u Hrvatskoj kao i prvi opis liječenja latrodektizma u pučkoj medicini. Opisujući na više mjesta komarce i malariju, Fortis je - doduše - pretpostavljao njihovu uzročnu vezu, ali mu je ona ostala nejasna. Opisuje se i uzgoj dudovog prelca Bombyx mori L. od pradavnih vremena no više mjesta na kopnu i otocima, kao primjerice na otoku Rabu još početkom XI stoljeća.Venetian abbot, naturalist and travel writer A. Fortis visited different parts of Croatia from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south for 11 times through 26 years (1765-1791). Presented are less known or even completely unknown writings by Fortis on insects and some related animals in the area. From a detailed description and drawing of scale insect on fig-trees on the island of Ugljan, the author concludes that it is the fig scale Ceroplastes rusci L. Fortis also mentions the largest European spider tarantula Lycosa tarentula Rossi, as well as Europe’s most poisonous spider, and one of the most poisonous Spiders in the world – the black widow spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Rossi. This is also the first record on latrodectism in Croatia, as well as the first description of lactrodectism treatment in popular medicine. While describing mosquitos and malaria on several occasions, Fortis did indeed anticipate a causal link between them, but it remained unclear to him. Described is also the breeding of silkworm Bombyx mori L. since ancient times in several places on both mainland and the islands of Rab, back towards the beginning of the 11ᵗʰ century