Notable beetle records from GermanyRecords, photos and text by C. Benisch, 2008–2016
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10.05.2009 (published on 08.07.2009)
Record of Oberea pupillata near Grißheim (South Baden)
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On May 10th, 2009, one single specimen of the longhorn beetle Oberea pupillata was observed in the Rhine river plain near Grißheim (South Baden). The stenotopic, silvicolous species prefers clearances and the skirts of the forest. The larval development takes 2–3 years and takes place in Lonicera. In Central Europe, O. pupillata is found only very sporadically and seldom, from the Northern Federal States of Germany no records are known (Germany RL 3). O. pupillata can be easily distinguished from the other species of the genus by the characteristic yellow elytral spots next to the scutellum.
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07.05.2009 (published on 08.07.2009)
Two records of the powder post beetle Lyctus pubescens in North Baden
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2
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On May 7th and May 19th, 2009, one specimen each was recorded on cords of oak wood near Waghäusel and in the forest 'Bössinger Wald' near Zeutern. As most lyctid species, L. pubescens develops in dry wood with a certain content of starch and protein. L. pubescens prefers oak wood. In Germany the species is not very often recorded, e.g. from Baden (Böhme, 1962, and is classified as critically endangered (RL 1). It can be distinguished from other species of the genus Lyctus by the flattened and distended apex of the elytra.
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25.04.2009 (published on 08.07.2009)
Record of the ground beetle Elaphropus sexstriatus at the river Rhine floodplain near Philippsburg
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On April 25th, 2009, one single specimen of the ground beetle Elaphropus sexstriatus was discovered on a sunlit gravel walk at the river Rhine floodplain near Philippsburg. The small species (2.2–2.7 mm) exhibits three stripes and diffuse reddish spots on the shoulders and at the beginning of the apex of the elytra. The Southern European species is only found in South Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Hesse) and prefers somewhat xeric habitats alongside rivers. In Germany it is regarded as endangered (RL 2).
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25.04.2009 (published on 08.07.2009)
Records of Phytoecia pustulata at the river Rhine floodplain near Philippsburg
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From April 25th to May 24th, 2009 several observations of Phytoecia pustualata were made on the causeway between the river Rhine floodplain and the nuclear powerplant Philippsburg. The comparatively small species is characterized by an elongate, raised red spot on the pronotum. It is recorded from throughout Europa (except from the North), Turkey, Caucasus and Kazachstan. The larvae develop in various Asteracea, e.g. in yarrow (Achillea), feverfew (Tanacetum) and Chrysanthemum species. In Germany, Phytoecia pustulata is known from the Southern and the Eastern Federal States and is classified as endangered (RL 2).
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19.04.2009 (published on 08.07.2009)
Record of Anthicus bimaculatus at a quarry pond near Dettenheim
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2
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On April 19th, 2009, two specimens of the antlike flower beetle Anthicus bimaculatus were discovered on the edge of a quarry pond. The stenotopic, psammophilous species is found on sabulous edges of ponds, often on the roots of grasses. In Germany A. bimaculatus is known to occur in various Federal States, except South-East Germany. The species is classified as vulnerable (RL 3). Due to its protective mimicry it's not easy to discover the species on sand, often it takes some patience to find it.
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05.04.2009 (published on 02.07.2009)
First record of the weevil Baris analis in Baden after 1950
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On April 5th, 2009, one single specimen of the weevil Baris analis was discovered near a small pond close to Oberhausen-Rheinhausen (North Baden). The small beetle (2.0–3.5 mm) has a very characteristic red coloration of the apical part of the elytra. It develops on the Meadow False Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh.). This is the first record of the species in Baden after 1950. The only recent records are from Saxony-Anhalt (Behne, 1996).
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29.11.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Limodromus longiventris in the river Rhine floodplain near Oberhausen-Rheinhausen
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On November 29th, 2008 one specimen of the ground beetle Limodromus longiventris was discovered under a piece of wood in hibernation. This was the latest of 10 records for the river Rhine floodplains near Oberhausen-Rheinhausen between 2004 and 2008. In early spring L. longiventris can be found at night crawling on the lower stem of large poplars. On average the species is somewhat larger than the very common L. assimilis, which has shorter and more rounded elytra. L. longiventris is distributed in the western palearctic and is found only very localized in Germany.
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21.09.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Dromius longiceps in the reed zone near Oberhausen-Rheinhausen
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On September 21st, 2008 the ground beetle Dromius longiceps was discovered in the reed zone around the former gravel ponds near Oberhausen-Rheinhause (close to Philippsburg, North Baden). The rare species is distributed in Northern and Central Europe. Dromius longiceps is markedly hygrophilous and is usually found in reed or bulrush zones around lakes and ponds. The elongated head and pronotum are characteristic for this species.
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17.08.2008 (published on 19.02.2009)
Record of Phloiotrya vaudoueri in the forest 'Heilbronner Wald' near Heilbronn
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On August 17th, 2008 one specimen of the false darkling beetle Phloiotrya vaudoueri was discovered on a dead beech tree in the forest 'Heilbronner Wald' between Heilbronn and Weinsberg. The rare species is known to occur in Western and Southern Europe and in southeast Central Europe. Phloiotrya vaudoueri develops in decaying oak wood, occasionally in other deciduous trees as well. In Germany the species is categorized as endangered (RL 2). Phloiotrya vaudoueri ist a nocturnal species and is mostly found in old deciduous forests during July and August.
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19.07.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Notoxus trifasciatus on a meadow near river Rhine close to Speyer
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On July 19th, 2008 a single specimen of Notoxus trifasciatus was found on a meadow close to river Rhine. The beetle was discovered on a small poplar on a slightly elevated, rather dry meadow close to the Rhine riverbank. The xerothermic species is known to occur in Southern and Central Europe. The species is less frequently found than N. monoceros, the most common species of the genus. Many species in the family Anthicidae are known for their feeding on dead blister beetles. The ingested cantharidine protects them from predation by vertebrates.
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06.07.2008 (published on 19.02.2009)
Observation of the longhorn beetle Rosalia alpina on beech logs near Bad Urach
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On July 6th, 2008, numerous specimens of the longhorn beetle Rosalia alpina were observed near Bad Urach (Baden-Wurttemberg). The beautiful beetle has blue elytra with silky black spots. It is known to occur from Spain to the Caucasus and Ural Mountains. In Germany Rosalia alpina is only recorded from very few places in the Swabian mountains and the Danube Valley. R. alpina is categorized as endangered (RL 2) and is protected by the FFH Directive (92/43/EWG). Rosalia alpina develops in dead beech wood exposed to sunlight. The beetle is found from July to September in the low mountain range (500–1500 m).
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28.06.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
First record of the Clerid beetle Tarsostenus univittatus in North Baden
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On June 28th, 2008 four specimens of the clerid beetle were observed on an old stack of wood near Waghäusel-Wiesental in North Baden. The thermophilous species in distributed worldwide and has been recorded in 1962 by Wolf in the Kaiserstuhl area for the first time for Germany. Since the 1990's further occurrences have been discovered in South Baden (Geis), in the Palatinate (Seiler) and Wurttemberg (Reibnitz). The record in Wiesental closes the gap in the existing records for South Germany. Tarsostenus univittatus is found on dry wood as a predator of powder-post beetles (Lyctidae).
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23.05.2008 (published on 16.02.2009)
Record of Oenopia impustula in the forest 'Bienwald' near Kandel
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3
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On May 23rd, 2008 five specimens of Oenopia impustulata were found somewhat unexpectedly in the natural forest reserve Stuttpferch in the forest area 'Bienwald' near Kandel (Rhineland-Palatinate). The beetles were discovered on a young oak on a clearing. Oenopia impustulata is predator of aphids and is normally found in raised bogs. Recent records are known from Bavaria, Wurttemberg and several northern federal states. However, there is some evidence, that the species occasionally can be found in xerothermic sandy areas, e.g. in the Lampertheim Forest in South Hesse (Bornholdt, 1994).
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18.05.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Clytus tropicus in the Bössinger Forest close to Zeutern (Kraichgau)
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On May 18th, 2008 a single specimen of the rare longhorn beetle Clytus tropicus was found. The beetle was discovered on fallen branches of a large oak on a clearing in an oak-beech forest. The species is known from all-over Europe (except the North) but is only rarely found due to its acrodendrophilous habit and its demanding habitat requirements. The larval development takes 1–2 years in branches in the treetop exposed to sun. In Europe, oak is the preferred substrate. In Germany Clytus tropicus is protected by the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
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12.05.2008 (published on 19.02.2009)
Record of Acalles aubei in the forest around the Drachenfels near Bad Dürkheim
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On May 12th, 2008 the weevil Acalles aubei was discovered in the forest 'Saupferch' around the Drachenfels near Bad Dürkheim (Rhineland-Palatinate) on thin decaying beech branches. With a body length of 3.5–5.5 mm Acalles aubei is one of the larger representatives of the genus Acalles. The species is known to occur in Southern Europe from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. Acalles aubei develops in deciduous trees, mainly beech and chestnut. The species can be found from May to October utilizing beating tray and sieve on thin branches and leaf litter. In Germany Acalles aubei is categorized as endangered (RL 2).
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20.04.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Orsodacne lineola in the Bössinger Forest close to Zeutern (Kraichgau)
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On April 20th, 2008 a single specimen of the leaf beetle Orsodacne lineola was found on a dead branch at the edge of the Bössinger forest adjacent to a traditional orchard. Contrary to the very common O. cerasi, the pronotum and elytra of O. lineola are pubescent. The species is distributed in Southern and Central Europe and develops in hawthorn (Crataegus), pear (Pirus) and plum (Prunus). According to Köhler/Klausnitzer (1998) there are no preceding records for Baden so far.
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30.03.2008 (published on 14.02.2009)
Record of Clitostethus arcuatus in the forest Dornhecke near Bad Schönborn (North Baden)
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On March 30th, 2008 the ladybird Clitostethus arcuatus was found in the forest Dornhecke near Bad Schönborn in North Baden on ivy. The very small (1.2–1.5 mm) and beautiful species is a predator of aphids (Aleurodidae). Clitostethus arcuatus is distributed in the Mediterranean region and is thermophilous. Accordingly in Germany it is mostly recorded from areas with favorable climatic conditions. Normally only single or a few specimens are found. However, under suitable circumstances, C. arcuatus can be found occasionally in abundance.
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