Featured speciesText © K. Reißmann, T. Hörren, M. Stern, F. Bötzl and C. Benisch
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24.06.2022
Cylindera germanica L., 1758
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19 
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The German Tiger beetle Cylindera germanica (family Carabidae) is one of only two species of the genus in Europe. It is known to occur in Europe and Asia. It prefers calcareous and semi-arid grassland, where the larvae develop in self-dug burrows in loamy or marly soil during two years. The populations of this xerophilous species have declined dramatically during the last decades and the beetle is now facing extinction in Germany (RL 1). Root cause for its decline is the loss of suitable habitats with sparse vegetation and open spots. These types of microhabitats are found in extensive agriculture, which has declined during the last decades, also on military training areas, which are rapidly overgrown by vegetation, once military training stops. Also eutrophication of calcareous grassland through immission of nitrogen compounds plays a role. (CB)
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17.06.2022
Platydema violaceum (F., 1790)
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16
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The darkling beetle Platydema violaceum (family Tenebrionidae) occurs from the southern part of North Europe over Central and South Europe and reaches the Caucasus in the East. In Germany, the stenotopic, mycetophilous species has been recorded throughout the country, although recent records are missing from Westphalia. The development takes place in Jew's ear (Auricularia auricula-judae), a saprophytic fungus mainly growing on elderberry (Sambucus), but also on various other deciduous trees, like beech (Fagus), birch (Betula) and elm (Ulmus). The beetle can be found throughout the year under the bark of deciduous trees, especially during the winter. While 50 years ago the species was very rare most regions in Germany, it has fortunately regained some territory over the recent decades. (TH)
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10.06.2022
Larinus beckeri Petri, 1907
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20
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The 6 to 8 mm large weevil Larinus beckeri (family Curculionidae) is one of seven quite similar species of the genus Larinus in Germany. It can be recognized by the rounded oval body shape and the relatively long and narrow snout. It ranges from Europe to Siberia, however, its exact range is not fully known. Larinus beckeri lives exclusively on knapweed species (Centaurea) in the lowlands, whereas the closely related sister species Larinus jaceae also uses various thistle species as host plant, preferably in the low mountain range. The larva develops and pupates in the flower. The beetles hatch starting July and hibernate. In Germany, Larinus beckeri is missing in the North and in the East and according to Rheinheimer/Hassler (2010) is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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03.06.2022
Timarcha tenebricosa (F., 1775)
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20
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The 12 to 18 mm large bloody-nosed beetle Timarcha tenebricosa (family Chrysomelidae) is one of three species in the genus in Germany. Worldwide more than 100 species have been described from three subgenera, most of them in the Palearctic, a few in the Nearctic. The eurytopic, herbicolous Timarcha tenebricosa occurs in Southern and Central Europe. It prefers dry edges of forests and meadows, sunny meadows alongside rivers and creeks, dry slopes and vineyards. The oligophagous species develops on bedstraws (Galium). When disturbed, they exude a bright orange fluid from their mouth, hence their common name. The male exhibits enlarged tarsi, which allow it to cling firmly to the female when mating. In Germany, records are only known from the South and the West and the species is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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27.05.2022
Leptura aurulenta (F., 1792)
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28
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The 13 to 18 mm large golden haired longhorn beetle Leptura aurulenta (family Cerambycidae) is one of five representatives of the genus in Germany. It can be potentially confused with its sister species Leptura quadrifasciata, which shows completely black legs. The stenotopic, thermophilous species occurs in Northwest Africa, South and Central Europe. It prefers sunny edges of forests and glades in the colline zone. Larval development takes place in trunks and rootstocks of dead deciduous trees, especially beech, but also oak, willow, poplar, alder, birch and chestnut. The adult beetles appear from June to August on umbellifers. They are quite agile in the sunlight and are able fliers. In Germany, the species is limited to the South and the West. It is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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20.05.2022
Corticeus fasciatus F., 1790
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15
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The 3 to 3.2 mm large darkling beetle Corticeus fasciatus (family Tenebrionidae) is one of nine representatives of genus Corticeus currently recorded from Germany. The stenotopic, silvicolous species ranges from North Africa over South Europe to the southern part of North Europe and in the adjacent East Europe. The beetles prefer old deciduous forests, especially dry oak forests. They live on parts of oak trunk destitute of bark in in the galleries of anobiid beetles (Anobiidae) and timberworm beetles (Lymexylonidae). Formerly regarded as exclusively predaceous, they are meanwhile thought to be saprophagous and only facultative predators. The larval development presumably takes two years under the bark of the trees. In Germany, the species is recorded from most Federal States, but regarded as an Urwald relic species and endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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13.05.2022
Hallomenus binotatus (Quensel, 1790)
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The 3.5 to 6 mm large false darkling beetle Hallomenus binotatus (family Melandryidae) is the more common representative of the two species of the genus in Germany. Meanwhile, the entire subfamily Hallomeninae has been moved into family Tetratomidae. Hallomenus binotatus occurs from North Spain over Central Europe including the British Isles to Bosnia. The stenotopic, mycetobiont species lives in deciduous and mixed forests. It develops on various bracket fungi, among others of the genera Polyporus, Phellinus, Boletus, Pleurotus, Sparassis and Armillaria on stumps and trunks of deciduous trees, e.g. oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus), birch (Betula), willow (Salix) and conifers (Picea, Pinus, Abies). The species is crepuscular and nocturnal. In Germany, there are recent records from all Federal States and the species is not endangered. (CB)
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06.05.2022
Phrissotrichum rugicolle (Germ., 1817)
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15
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The 1.9 to 2.5 mm large Apionid weevil Phrissotrichum rugicolle (family Apionidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. It is easily distinguished from all other species of the family in our fauna by the bristle-like pubescence of the elytra. The stenotopic, xerothermophilous species is known to occur from France over Italy and Central Europe to Hungary. In Central Europe it lives only in habitats with a markedly warm microclimate, e.g. on warm slopes, sun-exposed banks, rocky and calcareous grassland on calcareous soil or gypsum. The oligophagous beetles develop on rock rose (Helianthemum) and needle sunrose (Fumana). In Germany, recent records are only known from the southern half of the country and Phrissotrichum rugicolle is regarded as very rare and endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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29.04.2022
Rhynchites bacchus (L., 1758)
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27
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The 4.2 to 6.8 mm large peach weevil Rhynchites bacchus (family Rhynchitidae) is one of six representatives of the genus in Germany. The thermophilous species occurs from North Africa over Europe to the Caucasus, Turkmenistan and North Iran. The beetle can be found in orchards, at waysides, in sunny river meadows and at the edges of forests. The oligophagous beetles live on trees of the Rosaceae family and are pests of economic significance in plum, apricot and apple. The female deposits its eggs from May to August in a chamber in the fruit. The larvae feed on the fruit pulp. After 4 to 8 weeks they leave the fruit and pupate in the ground. The new generation hatches in autumn and hibernates in the pupal chamber. In Germany, the species is mainly recorded from the southern half and ist not endangered. (CB)
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22.04.2022
Baris analis (Ol., 1790)
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22
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The 2 to 3.5 mm large weevil Baris analis (family Curculionidae) is among the smallest and rarest representatives of the 12 species of the genus Baris in Germany. It is easily recognized by the conspicuous red last third of the elytra. The species is known to occur in Europe from the British Isles to Greek, in the east it reaches Siberia. Baris analis lives wet grassland and at the edges of ponds and rivers on common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica). The larvae develop in the lower parts of the stem and in the roots. They pupate in the galleries and hibernate as imagines. The species is very local and rare. In Germany there are only a few records from Saxony-Anhalt and Baden and according to Rheinheimer/Hassler (2010) Baris analis is regarded as critically endangered (RL 1). (CB)
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15.04.2022
Anthribus albinus (L., 1758)
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27
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The 6 to 12 mm large fungus weevil Anthribus albinus (family Anthribidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. The stenotopic, silvicolous species occurs from North Africa over Europe and Asia Minor to Siberia. The beetles can be found in deciduous forests on old branches and trunks of deciduous trees infested with fungi, especially beech (Fagus), but also alder (Alnus), occasionally hazel (Corylus), birch (Betula), oak (Quercus), elm (Ulmus), lime (Tilia), willow (Salix), rowan (Sorbus) and hawthorn (Crataegus), additionally in stumps and on cord wood. Beetles and larvae feed on fungi. The larvae gnaw galleries in the dead wood, in which they also pupate. With its distinctive coloration, A. albinus camouflages itself as bird dropping. In Germany, the species is present in all Federal States and is common. (CB)
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08.04.2022
Hispa atra L., 1767
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24
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The 3 to 4 mm large prickly leaf beetle Hispa atra (family Chrysomelidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany and in Europe. Worldwide the tribe Hispini comprises more than 600 species in 20 genera in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The eurytopic, xerothermophilous Hispa atra is of palearctic distribution from Europe to Mongolia, Tibet and China. The beetles prefer dry, sparse grassland, calcareous and semi-arid grassland, heathland, dry slopes, dry meadows and lynchets as well as sandy river meadows, banks and quarries. The larvae are miners in various grasses, especially meadow-grass (Poa), crested-wheat grasses (Agropyron), oats (Avena) and catstail (Phleum). In Germany, the species is recorded from all Federal States and is not endangered. It can be easily found by using a sweep net. (CB)
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01.04.2022
Chilocorus renipustulatus (Scriba, 1850)
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25
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Together with its sister Species Chilocorus bipustulatus, the 4 to 5 mm large kidney-spot ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus (family Coccinellidae) represents the genus Chilocorus in our fauna. Worldwide, the genus comprises more than 80 species in the Holarctic, Oriental and Afrotropical Region. Several species are of economic importance as biocontrol agents. The palearctic species Chilocorus bipustulatus is known to occur from North Africa over Europe to the Caucasus and Siberia. It lives in wet habitats on the stems of various deciduous trees (preferably alder (Alnus), ash (Fraxinus) and dogwood (Cornus)) and preys on scale insects on the bark of the trees, especially Chionaspis salicis. In Germany, recent records are known from all Federal States and the species is common. (CB)
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25.03.2022
Cynaeus angustus (Leconte, 1851)
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14
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The 5.5 to 6.5 mm long Larger Black Flour Beetle Cynaeus angustus (family Tenebrionidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. The species originates from the Sonora desert in the southwest of the US and Mexico, respectively, where two more similar sister species are present. They live on debris of yucca and agave plants. Since the 1970s the species expanded quickly to the East as a pest in grain storage and on cotton gin trash. Since the mid of the 1990s first records of introduced specimen have been made from Germany and other European countries. The beetles can be found from June to September on chaff and waste of grains production and compost. In Germany, recent records are known from Baden, the Palatinate and Thuringia. The expansive species is not endangered. (CB)
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18.03.2022
Emus hirtus (L., 1758)
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27
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The 18 to 28 mm large rove beetle Emus hirtus (family Staphylinidae) is probably the most beautiful rove beetle in our fauna and the only representative of the genus in Germany. The eurytopic, thermophilous species occurs throughout Europe, in the East till western Central Asia. It prefers near-natural meadows, especially on warm and dry slopes, sandy sun-exposed pastures and dry edges of forests. Both beetles and larvae are predaceous and live on fresh dung of horses and cattle, where they prey on imagines and larvae of dipterans and other beetles. The hairs of the imagines are water- and dirt-repellent, hence the beetles can dwell on fresh cow dung without getting stained. In Germany, populations fluctuate considerably and often the species disappears for several years from certain locations. It is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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11.03.2022
Rhagium bifasciatum F., 1775
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19
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The 12 to 22 mm large two-banded longhorn beetle Rhagium bifasciatum (family Cerambycidae) is one of four representatives of the genus in Germany. The genus is of holarctic distribution and comprises 25 species. The stenotopic, silvicolous R. bifasciatum occurs from Europe of Asia Minor to the Caucasus. The beetles prefer deciduous and mixed forests from the lowlands to the mountain range. The 2-year larval development takes place in stumps and logs of spruce and pine, occasionally in deciduous trees like beech and oak. Contrary to its sister species, the larva of R. bifasciatum does not build a pupal chamber under the bark, but pupates in the rotten wood. The diurnal beetles can be found from late April on logs and branches and occasionally on blossoms. In Germany it is recorded from all regions and common. (CB)
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04.03.2022
Lebia marginata (Fourcr., 1785)
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19
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The 3.8 to 5 mm large ground beetle Lebia marginata (family Carabidae) belongs to the rarest of the four firmly established representatives of the genus Lebia in Germany. The speciose genus is present in all ecozones and comprised more than 700 species in 17 subgenera. The eurytopic, xerophilous Lebia marginata occurs from southern Central Europe over South Europe to the Caucasus and Southwest Asia. The beetles can be found on shrubs and small trees at the sunny edges of forests and on clearings, preferably in the afternoon. The beetles prey on other small insects. In Germany recent records are only known from the southern half of the country and the species is quite rare, however at the places of discovery in their habitats their abundance is not particularly low. In Germany regarded as critically endangered (RL 1). (CB)
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25.02.2022
Platycerus caraboides (L., 1758)
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23
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The 10 to 14 mm large stag beetle Platycerus caraboides (family Lucanidae) is one of two species of the genus in Germany. The stenotopic, silvicolous species occurs from the southern part of North Europe over Central Europe to West Asia. It is missing in the North of the British Isles and North Scandinavia as well as in South Spain, Greece and large parts of the Balkan. Platycerus caraboides prefers warm beech forests in the lowlands and in the colline zone up to 750 m ASL. The similar sister species P. caprea however prefers cool and humid habitats in the montane and subalpine zone. The beetles feed on leaves and buds of deciduous trees. The larval development takes 3 years and takes place in white-rotten wood of various deciduous trees. In Germany, Platycerus caraboides is known from all regions and rather common. (CB)
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18.02.2022
Bruchus pisorum (L., 1758)
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13
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The 4 to 5 mm large pea weevil Bruchus pisorum (family Bruchidae) is one of 14 representatives of the genus in Germany and is today a cosmopolite. It is regarded as a major pest in pea cultivation. The female deposits its eggs on the outside of the pods. The larvae feed through the pod and develop inside the seed pod, where each larva digs itself into a pea seed where it later pupates. In this way, the beetle gets into storages. The infestation of the peas can be considerable. There are reports from the first world war, that pea soups from field kitchens where appreciated by the troops as particularly "tasty" due to the small pieces of "bacon" in them. Of course, these "soup additions" were the larvae of Bruchus pisorum. In Germany, there are recent records from the West and the East. (CB)
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11.02.2022
Aphodius luridus (F., 1775)
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13
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The 6 to 9 mm large dung beetle Aphodius luridus (family Scarabaeidae) is one of around 60 species in the genus currently occurring in Germany. The genus Aphodius is globally present and comprises more than 1000 species in numerous subgenera. Aphodius luridus is of palearctic distribution from North Africa over Europe to Eastern Siberia. Quite common in our fauna in the lowlands and the colline zone, Aphodius luridus can be found from March to early June on dung of various mammals, including sheep, goat, horse and especially cattle. The xerophilic species prefers sunny pastures, heathland, warm and dry slopes, especially on calcareous soil. Besides the typical yellow-black spotted specimen there are also all black specimen. In Germany, recent records are known from virtually all Federal States and the species is not endangered. (CB)
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04.02.2022
Bradybatus fallax Gerst., 1860
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13
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The 3.2 to 3.8 mm large weevil Bradybatus fallax (family Curculionidae) is one of the three species of the genus in Germany, besides B. kellneri and the rare B. creutzeri. The species is known to occur from Central Europe (in warm locations) to Russia in the East and to Italy in the South. Bradybatus fallax lives on field maple, Norway maple and especially on sycamore maple. The beetles dwell on the inflorescences and are therefore not easily found, as the maple trees are too high to allow easy access to the inflorescences. The larvae develop in the fruits of the host. The new generation hatches in late summer and hibernates dispersed in the habitat. Bradybatus fallax is recorded from most Federal States in Germany and is not regarded as endangered. It is most likely under-recorded due to the above-mentioned difficulties in finding it. (CB)
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28.01.2022
Opatrum sabulosum (L., 1761)
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20
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The 7 to 10 mm large darkling beetle Opatrum sabulosum (family Tenebrionidae) is the more common representative of the genus in Germany. The stenotopic, xerophilous and psammophilous species is known to occur from Central and North Europe to the Caucasus, Central Asia, Siberia and Northwest China. The beetles prefer warm and dry habitats, e.g. warm and dry slopes, vineyards, semi-arid grassland, quarries, sun-exposed banks and dunes. The beetles feed both on plant detritus and fresh plant matter. The larvae develop in the ground, feeding on plant roots, where they can become an agricultural pest. The beetles hatch in autumn, hibernate in the ground and appear already starting March of the following year. In Germany, the species recorded from all Federal States and is very common. (CB)
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21.01.2022
Donacia marginata Hoppe, 1795
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The 8 to 11 mm large leaf beetle Donacia marginata (family Chrysomelidae) is one of 20 partially quite similar representatives of the holarctic genus in Germany. Worldwide, more than 80 species from three subgenera have been described. Donacia marginata is known to occur from North Africa over Europe to Central Asia. The stenotopic, hygrophilous species can be found from April to June on muddy edges of ponds and lakes, rarely of flowing waters. It is monophagous and lives on branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum). The larvae develop on the roots of the host plant under water. They get their breathing air from the host plant. The adult beetles feed on leaves and blossoms of the host. In Germany, the species is recorded from all Federal States and is not endangered. (CB)
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14.01.2022
Cteniopus flavus (Scop., 1763)
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21
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The 7 to 9.5 mm large comb-clawed beetle Cteniopus flavus (family Alleculidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. In Europe, the genus contains seven species. The stenotopic, thermophilous species ranges from Europe over Asia to Siberia; in the North it is sporadic and rare. Cteniopus flavus prefers warm habitats, e.g. sunny slopes, calcareous and semi-arid grassland as well as vineyards from the lowlands to the valleys of mountain foreland. The 2-year larval development takes place in the ground on plant roots in sandy or pebbly soil. The adult beetles can be found from June to August on flower umbels and blossoming linden, where they feed on pollen. At suitable localities, the beetles are often abundant. In Germany, the species is recorded from most Federal States, but is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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07.01.2022
Necrodes littoralis (L., 1758)
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14
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The 15 to 25 mm large burying beetle Necrodes littoralis (family Silphidae) is the only representative of the holarctic genus in Germany. It can be easily recognized by the three cinnamon distal members of the antennae. The male exhibits thickened rear thighs and curved shins. The eurytopic species occurs throughout Europe (with the exception of the far North) and in the East it reaches the Caucasus. The beetles prefer humid habitats, e.g. river meadows. The beetles are good fliers and are attracted by decay scent. They are usually found on larger carrion, where beetles and larvae feed directly on the carrion, but also prey on fly maggots present. If disturbed, the can secrete a very foul-smelling liquid to deter potential predators. In Germany the species is recorded from all Federal States and is not endangered. (CB)
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