Dariusz Tarnawski

Sex pheromones as a tool to overcome the Wallacean shortfall in conservation biology: a case of Elater ferrugineus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

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 Based on published and unpublished records since 1840, as well as on our own field survey, we attempted to estimate if and to what extent the use of pheromone traps increased the detectability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).

Identification of Larvae of Endangered Cucujus cinnaberinus and C. haematodes (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

ABSTRACT. The red flat bark beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) is included as a protected species in the Berne Convention and the European Habitat Directive—Annex II and IV (92/43 EU of 21 May 1992) which requires the establishment of special areas of conservation in the European Union, and listing the species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species under the near-threatened category. Cucujus haematodes Erichson, 1845 is considered to be one of the most threatened saproxylic species, a relic of primeval forests, in many European countries (including Poland) under protection. Morphology of the larvae of two rare European species of the genus Cucujus (cinnaberinus and haematodes) is compared here. We point out differences which allow the two species to be properly distinguished and which, until now, have been omitted or misinterpreted in literature. The best characteristics seem to be the arrangement of minor spines on the top of basal tooth, the shape of frontal suture, size of stemmata, shape of I antennal joint, localization of basal tooth, and morphology of VIII abdominal tergites.

Comparative morphology and biology of mature larvae in the genus Anthrenus (Dermestidae: Megatominae: Anthrenini) with comparisons to related species

Summary Description of the last larval instar (based on exuvia) of Anthrenus delicatus delicatus Kiesenwetter 1851, A. picturatus makolskii Mroczkowski 1950 and A. sophonisba Beal 1998 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. Notes about the biology of A. picturatus makolskii and A. sophonisba are provided. Several morphological characters of Anthrenus larvae are documented: antenna, epipharynx, mandibula, maxilla, ligula with labial palpi, hastisetae, legs, terga, and condition of antecostal suture are documented, and discussed. Structural differences among mature larvae of the following Anthrenus species are compared and summarized: A. coloratus Reitter 1881, A. delicatus delicatus Kiesenwetter 1851, A. flavipes flavipes LeConte 1854, A. fuscus Olivier 1789, A. museorum (Linnaeus 1761), A. latefasciatus Reitter 1892, A. oceanicus Fauvel 1903, A. olgae Kalík 1946, A. picturatus makolskii Mroczkowski 1950, A. pimpinellae pimpinellae (Fabricius 1775), A. sarnicus Mroczkowski 1963, A. scrophulariae scrophulariae (Linnaeus 1758), A. sophonisba Beal 1998 and A. verbasci (Linnaeus 1767).

New and little known species of the genus Zorochros Thomson 1859 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from Palaearctic and Oriental Region

Abstract Sixteen new species of the genus Zorochros Thomson 1859 from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand are described and illustrated, a key to the species of the Zorochros indicus group is given, and new records on already known species are provided. New species: Z. ahrensi n. sp., Z bingkorensis n. sp., Z. dabieshanensis n. sp., Z. dolini n. sp., Z. hartmanni n. sp., Z. hubeiensis n. sp., Z. karnaliensis n. sp., Z. magnificus n. sp., Z. naniensis n. sp., Z. nigredos n. sp., Z. platiai n. sp., Z schawalleri n. sp., Z. schmidti n. sp., Z. senaroensis n. sp., Z. theodori n. sp., and Z. tongshanensis n. sp.

Ellenberg's indicator values support prediction of suitable habitat for pre-diapause larvae of endangered butterfly Euphydryas aurinia

In spite of the great popularity of Ellenberg’s Indicator Values (EIVs) in plant ecology, animal ecologists seldom use EIVs to address ecological questions. In this study we used EIVs to test their potential usefulness for the prediction of suitable habitat for pre-diapause larvae of the endangered butterfly species Euphydryas aurinia. Nine transects crossing grasslands in SW Poland with abundant populations of E. aurinia were designed. We sampled 76 vegetation plots along the transects. In addition, the presence of the larval webs of E. aurinia in sampled plots was also recorded. We then calculated the mean community EIVs of light, nitrogen, soil reaction, moisture and temperature for each sample plots. Generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) were used to assess which factors determine the local occurrence of larval webs of E. aurinia. We found the larval webs only in 12 plots, while the host plant was present in 39 of the examined plots. The presence of the host plant was the most important predictor in both models including all plots or including only plots with host plants. The other significant predictor was the mean EIV of light, and its importance increased in models considering all plots. We attributed the importance of the EIV of light to the site openness and density of the vegetation layer. A positive relationship between this predictor and the presence of larval webs indicates that sites with looser vegetation, a lower contribution of shrubs and tall herbs and better penetration of photosynthetically active radiation to lower vegetation layers are preferred by E. aurinia for oviposition. Moreover, the significance of EIV of light may be linked with management practices. Many light-demanding species decline after cessation of mowing as a result of litter accumulation and the dominance of tall herbs. An absence of light-demanding species decreases the community’s mean EIV of light and thus indicates the influence of meadow abandonment.

Morphology of Mature Larvae of Three Species of the Genus Anthrenus (Dermestidae: Megatominae: Anthrenini) with Comparisons to Related Species

ABSTRACT Description of the last larval instar (based on larvae or exuviae) of Anthrenus (Helocerus) minutus (Erichson, 1848), Anthrenus (Nathrenus) biskrensis (Reitter, 1886), and Anthrenus (Nathrenus) signatus (Erichson, 1848; Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. Morphological characters of Anthrenus larvae such as general morphology of antenna, epipharynx, mandible, maxilla, ligula with labial palpi, hastisetae, legs, and terga, and condition of antecostal suture, are documented and discussed. Structural differences among mature larvae of the following Anthrenus species are compared and summarized: Anthrenus coloratus (Reitter, 1881), Anthrenus delicatus delicatus (Kiesenwetter, 1851), Anthrenus flavipes flavipes (LeConte, 1854), Anthrenus fuscus (Olivier, 1789), Anthrenus museorum (L., 1761), Anthrenus latefasciatus (Reitter, 1892), Anthrenus oceanicus (Fauvel, 1903), Anthrenus olgae (Kalík, 1946), Anthrenus picturatus makolskii (Mroczkowski, 1950), Anthrenus pimpinellae pimpinellae (F., 1775), Anthrenus sarnicus (Mroczkowski, 1963), Anthrenus scrophulariae scrophulariae (L., 1758), Anthrenus sophonisba (Beal, 1998), and Anthrenus verbasci (L., 1767).

Oviposition site selection of a threatened moth Eriogaster catax (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in agricultural landscape—implications for its conservation

Shrubby field margins and hedgerows play an important role for many species of flora and fauna in agro-ecosystems, including those which are rare or endangered. A characteristic species of these semi-natural habitats in agricultural landscape is the Eastern eggar, Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758): a moth species threatened in many European countries. In this study we investigated the oviposition preferences of E. catax at host plant level in agricultural landscape in south-western Poland, near of the northern limit of the species distribution in Europe. In total we surveyed 796 host plants. Altogether we found 439 eggs batches or caterpillar webs of E. catax on 373 occupied plants. Most of them (92.3%) were on blackthorn Prunus spinosa, which was preferred host plant next to pear Pyrus spp. However, the most important predictor of the presence of egg batches were microclimatic conditions. We recorded that females preferred host plants exposed to direct sunlight and with south and west-facing slopes for oviposition and avoided those inside of the dense shrub canopy. Eggs were laid more often on the trunk and on the upper half of the host plant, however there was a significant difference in vertical and horizontal position of egg batches in relation to the position of the plant. Inside of the shrub canopy, eggs were laid in higher parts of host plant and closer to the trunk, than at the edge and on solitary plants. Based on our observations the management strategies for the habitats of the species are proposed and discussed.

Ecological aspects of unusual findings of animals nesting inside a mummified human corpse in natural conditions

We report, for the first time, a case of nesting by Apis mellifera mellifera (L., 1758) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae), Vespula vulgaris (L., 1758) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae), and Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758 (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) inside a mummified human corpse in natural conditions (Lower Silesia province, south-western Poland). A case history, autopsy findings, and biological observations are provided. A list of the insect species found in the corpse is provided and compared with available data. Other zoological findings are mentioned and briefly discussed.

Three new species of the genus Corymbitodes Buysson, 1904 from Nepal and India with a description of the male of Corymbitodes kambaitiana Fleutiaux, 1942 (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

In the present paper we introduce three new species of the genus Corymbitodes Buysson, 1904 from Nepal and from Northern India and provide the description of the male of C. kambaitiana Fleutiaux, 1942. No species of Corymbitodes was recorded from Nepal or India previously. The new species are C. bengalensis sp. nov. (India), C. chassaini sp. nov. (India), C. nepalensis sp. nov. (Nepal). C. kambaitiana Fleutiaux, 1942 was originally described based on female material from Myanmar. Here we describe the male based on material from Ganesh Himal in Nepal.

On the Mature Larva of the Western Eyed Click Beetle Alaus melanops LeConte, 1863 with Comparison to Related Species (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract The last larval instar of Alaus melanops LeConte, 1863 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is described. Morphological characters of the larva such as general morphology of antenna, frons, clypeus, mandible, maxillolabial complex, lacinia and galea, maxillary palp, labium, and abdominal terga are documented and discussed. Data on the natural history and distribution are provided.