Search

Bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) represent an important insect group including many significant pest species, but in some cases, the distribution and ecology of many bark beetles are still not well known. Maple bark beetle Scolytus koenigi Schyverew, 1890 is one of the mentioned group of species. The following study presents i) the first data of the occurrence of S. koenigi in Bohemia, ii) the first data of the species occurrence in an urban environment (large cities – Prague and Brno), iii) the distribution of the species in the Czech Republic since its first record (in 2013), and iv) new data about the bionomy of the species (i.e. a new host tree – Acer pseudoplatanus L. and refinement of the colonized substrate range diameter).

We summarize the published data on occurrence of Fagivorina arenaria (Hufnagel, 1767) in the Czech Republic. The species belongs to the European endangered moths. It occurs only very locally and rarely in the Czech Republic. Published records come mainly from the border mountain ranges. Newly we present records from the Beskydy Mts. and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. On the basis of our observations and published data, F. arenaria can be considered as a representative species of preserved mountain herb-rich beech forests. Due to the very local occurrence of the species, particular associations with mountain primeval forest and decline from some former localities, we argue that the species should be listed in the Red List of Invertebrates of the Czech Republic in the higher categories of threat, i.e. endangered or critically endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As walnut trees (Juglans spp.) are of high economic importance, considerable attention has been given to invasive pests of these trees in Europe. In 2016, Dryocoetes himalayensis Strohmeyer, 1908, an alien bark beetle originating from the Himalayas region of India, already present in several European countries, was confirmed to have attacked walnut trees in the Czech Republic. Within the present study, we (i) surveyed the current distribution of D. himalayensis in the Czech Republic, (ii) examined D. himalayensis phenology by rearing it in trap logs, and (iii) investigated tree level habitat preferences of the species in two study stands with 180 black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) trees and 66 common walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees sampled. The present study documented the species to be relatively widespread in some warmer lowland regions of the Czech Republic (42 localities found) and to reach high abundance locally. Almost 15 thousand D. himalayensis individuals reared from the trap logs showed the species emerging throughout the whole vegetation period with a distinctive peak in June. Even though the species is able to develop in thin stems (diameter <5 cm), it is most numerous in thicker trunk bases and also preferably attacks trees of higher diameters. The species preferred common walnut trees (its native host) with decreased vitality. In contrast, black walnut trees (North American species) were attacked regardless of their vitality, but the vitality of occupied trees successively decreased. Based on our results, D. himalayensis should be assumed as a considerable pest of walnut trees (particularly black walnuts), which might become of significant importance in its European invasive range in the future, and thus substantial attention should be given to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First faunistic records of critically endangered meloid beetle Meloe uralensis in Central Moravia (Czech Republic) and notes on its biology and conservation are presented. Discovered locality Němčice nad Hanou is northernmost occupied place in the Czech Republic. During three years, 24 adults were observed. They were active from mid- March to the end of April under sunny conditions with temperature 13-24 °C. Most of adults were observed in margin of fields (running or eating cereals in most cases, less frequently sunning on higher vegetation). Several potential hosts (bees) were observed: Andrena flavipes, A. subopaca, Colletes cunicularius, Lasioglossum lin- eare, L. malachurum and L. morio. Discovered locality represents unique island of heterogeneous mosaic of diversely managed landscape in region with prevailing uniform arable land. The mosaic consists of small-size patches (less than 1 ha) of extensive fields, orchards, gardens etc. Besides M. uralensis, sympatric occurrence of several threatened species bound to steppe or forest steppe- habitats underlines high biological value of the locality. Therefore, maintenance of current exten- sive management seems to be appropriate conservation measure for M. uralensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Památky Archeologické is the property of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Archaeology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

New faunistic records of critically endangered longhorn beetle Acanthocinus reticulatus (Razoumowsky, 1789) in Central and Northern Moravia and notes on its conservation are presented. The species was recorded for the first time in the Nízký Jeseník Mts., Hostýnské vrchy Mts., Oderské vrchy Mts. and Vsetínské vrchy Mts. Current adverse situation for the species (i.e. low abundance and nearly absence of younger host trees) in forests of the Czech Republic is pointed. Hence, conservation measures for this critically endangered saproxylic species are proposed: i) do not remove old silver firs (particularly declining and dying) from stands, ii) increase abundance of silver fir in forest and iii) list A. reticulatus among protected species of the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New faunistic records of rare saproxylic beetle Epierus comptus Erichson, 1834 in Moravia and notes on its bionomics are presented. Species was recorded for the first time in Central Moravia and, additionally, new localities from South Moravia are presented. All localities of this histerid occurrence are valuable from the conservation biology point of view, due to the presence of declining habitat as old and dead trees and large amount of dead wood. Based on literature review and presented information, E. comptus prefers warm sites of lowlands. Adults are bound to dead wood of diverse broadleaved trees, especially those with lower compactness of wood and bark and numerous fruiting bodies of fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bečva river is the last large gravel-bearing river in the Czech Republic whose water regime is not affected by a dam on its main watercourse. Nevertheless, the construction of the dam on this river near Skalička village is considered. Large gravel bars, floodplain forests and a wide array of wetlands belong to valuable biotopes that occur here. For these reasons, members of the East Moravian Branch of the Czech Entomological Society have begun research on fauna of beetles in this area. The first part of the research was carried out between 2016 and 2018 and 391 species of beetles belonging to 55 families were found in the obtained material. Of these, 64 beetle species figure in the Red-list of invertebrates of the Czech Republic: 6 species belong among critically endangered, 17 species are listed as endangered, 16 species are considered vulnerable and 25 are classified as nearly threatened. From these 12 species of carabid beetles, 3 species of weevils, 5 species of staphylinids as well 4 species of water beetles belong among relicts. In addition, Brachinus crepitans is protected by law and a rich and strong population of the Cucujus cinnaberinus also lives in this site. This species is ranked among species of European conservation concern and therefore the Site of Community Importance and the Hustopeče-Štěrkáč Nature Monument were proclaimed to protect it here. The realisation of the construction of the dam would undoubtedly result in the perishing of these protected areas. The most important findings from the faunistic and conservation aspect are the following species of beetles listed in alpha-bet: Agnathus decoratus, Altica palustris, Altica tamaricis tamaricis, Anogcodes ustulatus, Anthicus schmidti, Augyles sericans, Bembidion ruficolle, Bembidion testaceum testaceum, Betarmon bisbimaculatus, Bidessus delicatulus, Chaetocnema semicoerulea semicoerulea, Chaetophora spinosa, Cryptocephalus frenatus, Drapetes mordelloides, Dryops viennensis, Limnichus sericeus, Lixus myagri, Microon sahlbergi, Neophytobius granatus, Notoxus brachycerus, Ochthebius gibbosus, Ochthebius melanescens, Ochthebius metallescens metallescens, Phaedon laevigatus, Rhizophagus aeneus, Zorochros quadriguttatus and Zorochros meridionalis. The monitored area represents unique locality (or one of the few localities) in Moravia (respectively in the whole Czech Republic) where all these recorded rare species occur together. Based on these results, it can be stated that the area is unique and very significant in the context of the entire Czech Republic. The construction of the dam would lead to the irretrievable destruction of all the valuable biotopes here and the disappearance of the rare species bound to them. At last but not least, due to the hungry water effect, all riparian and aquatic invertebrates living further downstream from the planned dam structure in the Bečva river, would be adversely affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]