Saproxylic Coleoptera

Abstract  The study of behavioural ecology of rare and
elusive species can be challenging, but it is an important
issue for monitoring populations in planning conservation
actions. This is especially true for arboreal insects inhabiting
old-growth forests, whose habits are scarcely known
and rely on many anecdotal data, such as the stag beetle
Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758). In order to gather information
on daily activity and behaviour of this species, a
radio-telemetry study was conducted in a relict broadleaf
forest surrounded by intensively cultivated land in northern
Italy. During 2014 and 2015, from May to July, 55 stag beetles
(34 males, 21 females) were radio-tagged. Most of them
were caught with the aid of an entomological hand net, but
nine of them were captured by emergence traps set up on deadwood. Visual contact analysis confirmed that stag beetle males were less elusive than females. Males were more frequently radio-tracked in flight, females mostly underground and in proximity of deadwood. Males were mostly observed flying at sunset, and resting or walking on standing trees during the day. The combination of air temperature and humidity determined the optimal weather conditions for male flights (temperature range: 20.7–26 °C, humidity range: 65.5–78.3%). Flying at sunset, mostly performed by males, significantly increased the detectability of the species and supported the selection of the 'transect walk at dusk' as the best monitoring method for the stag beetle.

Osmoderma barnabita Motschulsky, 1845 is a threatened scarab beetle living in the hollows
of old deciduous trees. Beetles of the genus Osmoderma are known for their fruity odour,
which is released by males. Pheromone-baited traps were used for the first time for the
study of distribution of O. barnabita in Latvia and new data about the species distribution
were obtained. The capture-mark-recapture method was used to estimate dispersal ability
of O. barnabita. Our results suggest that maximum dispersal distance (2090 m) observed
in this study is the farthermost record from wild Osmoderma populations till now.
Key words: Osmoderma barnabita, pheromone-baited traps, dispersal distance, Latvia

Gli insetti delle foreste, in Sila, sono rappresentati da migliaia di specie, ma i coleotteri decompositori del legno morto rappresentano il vero "motore" del manto forestale silano, uno dei segreti della sua vitalità. In nessuna parte d'Europa le foreste, sia di conifere che di latifoglie, sono così vetuste ed imponenti come quelle che possiamo vedere nel Parco Nazionale della Sila. I coleotteri saproxilici ne garantiscono la conservazione, ed al tempo stesso sono fonte di nutrimento per tante altre specie animali, documentazione certa dell'ottimo stato di conservazione e pegno di sviluppo sostenibile per il futuro, poiché hanno fornito un contributo essenziale alla candidatura vincente del Parco Nazionale alla rete delle Riserve della Biosfera (MAB-UNESCO).
Questa mini guida, arricchita da schede esplicative e ricca documentazione fotografica, vuole stimolare la curiosità di quelle persone che passeggiando per il Parco desiderano sapere qualcosa di più dei protagonisti degli equilibri ecologici. I testi, brevi ma rigorosamente scientifici, possono fornire adeguato supporto anche a professionisti, operatori forestali, ambientalisti ed ai tanti amici entomologi che vedono nella Sila uno scrigno inesauribile di biodiversità.

Presence-only models can aid conservation and management of threatened, elusive species. A MaxEnt model has been developed for the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo L., 1758) in southwestern Poland and the variables identified best explaining the species' occurrence on a large scale. Once successfully validated, the model was used to (a) illustrate the expected location of the species' habitats in the region and in existing Natura 2000 sites (SACs) in S-W Poland and (b) assess the efficacy of the regional network of national protected areas (NPAs) versus Natura 2000 (SACs). Overall, information was gathered on 1025 localities of C. cerdo L., 1758 in Lower Silesia. All the records came from the pedunculate oak Quercus robur L., 1753. The occurrence of the great capricorn beetle in the study region is limited mainly to its eastern part, with a marked concentration in the valleys of the rivers Odra, Barycz and Bystrzyca. The kernel density estimation analysis also showed the high concentration of occupied trees in the northwestern part of the region, clearly isolated from the above-mentioned main populations. Although a considerable part of the localities in the study region (74.2%) occurred within protected areas (PAs), their contribution to the species' conservation varied between the PAs groups. Natura 2000 SACs are the most important PAs, covering more than 30% of the predicted area of suitable habitats in the region and more than 45% of optimal habitats. In total, 384 localities of C. cerdo L., 1758 were found within the cities, most of them (n = 356) in the city of Wrocław. Forty three percent (43%) of the urban localities of the species (n = 165) in the study region are protected within the regional network of protected areas (OPAs), while those unprotected are mainly concentrated in the city of Wrocław (n = 207). Wrocław also includes 17.1% of the area of suitable habitats and 29% optimal habitats
of the species in the region outside the protected area network. To preserve C. cerdo L., 1758, forest corridors should be created or restored to bridge the otherwise impermeable gaps revealed by the authors’ model and grant protection to the still largely unprotected area of the Lower Silesian territory. The species conservation programme in the region requires the cooperation of various authorities, not only those dealing with nature conservation, but also local governments, state forest management and flood protection authorities.

In 2006 and 2007 we carried out quantitative seasonal sampling on Coleoptera in the primeval spruce forest of the Giumalau Mountains (Eastern Carpathians). Th e scientifi c reserve Giumalau was founded in February 1932 and has a total area of 309.5 ha. We captured and identifi ed 190 species belonging to 33 families. Of these, 46.3% represent xylobiont species. We inventoried, expressed in trophic categories, 11 (5.8%) foliophagous/seminivorous species, 12 (6.3%) mycetophagous, 8 (4.2%) mixophagous, 17 (8.9%) xylophagous, 14 (7.4%) cambi-ophagous/ xylemophagous, 41 (21.6%) saproxylophagous and xylomycetophagous, 57 (30%) detritophagous/coprophagous/necrophagous, and 38 (20%) predators. Th e following rare and representative species for spruce primeval forests were found: Cornumutila quadrivittata Gebler 1830 (Cerambycidae), Nemozoma elongatum (Linnaeus, 1761) (Trogositidae), Salpingus rufi collis (Linnaeus 1761) (Salpingidae). Leiodes rhaeticus Erichson, 1845 (Leiodidae) is recorded for the fi rst time in Romania.

Saproxylic beetles are a functional group of Coleoptera that depend on wood decay and
therefore play an important role in decomposition processes and thus for recycling nutrients
in natural ecosystems. There is the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles published by
International Union for Conservation of Nature. This paper gives an overview of the saproxylic
beetle species found in Latvia and included in the European Red list. The aim of this work
was to analyse the composition and conservation status of these species, as well as to provide
suggestions for updating list of specially protected species.

A molecular analysis was carried out on the European hermit beetles (the Osmoderma eremita species complex) to explore their genetic diversification and the robustness of previous morphologically based taxonomic arrangements. Complete sequences of mtDNA cytochrome C oxidase I gene were obtained from 26 individuals. Mean levels of interspecific sequence divergence ranged from 0.044 to 0.186. The results indicate a clear-cut distinction between two clades. The first one includes the W-European O. eremitaScopoli 1763; and the two Italian endemic taxa Osmoderma italicumSparacio, 2000 and Osmoderma cristinaeSparacio, 1994; from southern peninsular Italy and Sicily, respectively. The second one includes the widespread E-European Osmoderma barnabita; and the southern Balcanic Osmoderma lassalleiBaraud and Tauzin, 1991 from Greece and European Turkey. Within the two clades, molecular and morphological data well support a specific rank for O. lassallei and O. barnabita on one side, and for O. eremita and O. cristinae on the other side, while the taxonomic position of O. italicum, more closely related to O. eremita, is still uncertain. Current geographical distribution, interspecific genetic diversification, and very low levels of intraspecific genetic divergence in western European populations of O. eremita sensu stricto are hypothesized to be the result of multiple speciation events (mainly occurred in refugial forest areas of the Italian and Balkan peninsulas and Sicily before and during the Pleistocene glacial peaks), followed by fast post-glacial northward and westward expansion of some species.

The “Wallacean shortfall”—lack of distributional information—is one of the main problems when trying to assess the threats to and planning conservation strategies for many invertebrate species. Based on published and unpublished records since 1840, as well as on our own field survey, we attempted to estimate if and to what extent the use of pheromone traps increased the detectability of a rare, saproxylic click beetle Elater ferrugineus. The significant increase in the number of records in 2011–2013 shows that the pheromone method made it much easier to detect the occurrence of the species. Advantages of the pheromone method are that it does not disturb the habitat, can be used by non-specialists, is less costly and less time-consuming, and thus providing a useful tool for conservation research (studying biology, ecology and genetics of local populations).

The paper presents 745 new localities of the hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita s. l. (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), a strictly protected, saproxylic species. The
new localities fill the gaps in the knowledge of the species’ distribution in south-western Poland (particularly in Lower Silesia) (Zając 1998, Bena and Dobrowolska 2005, Kadej et al. 2007). The present occurrence of the hermit beetle in Lower Silesia, especially in the Natura 2000 Network and in the nature reserves and landscape parks, is shown and discussed (Fig. 1, Tables 1-2). The authors also emphasise the importance of close co-operation between researchers, ecological activists, and government officials for effective conservation of the hermit beetle’s habitats.

The paper presents 62 new localities of Protaetia aeruginosa (Drury, 1770), a strictly protected, saproxylic beetle. The new localities fill the gaps in the knowledge of the species distribution in south-western Poland. The localities of three other species being new for the Polish part of the Eastern Sudetes are presented: Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761), Netocia lugubris (HerbsT, 1786) and Trichius fasciatus (L., 1758). The new record of Gnorimus nobilis (L., 1758) is the first one after 1933 in the Eastern Sudetes. New localities of G. variabilis (L., 1758), Protaetia metallica (HerbsT, 1782) and Valgus hemipterus (L., 1758) are also recorded.