Finds of Lucanidae, etc.

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DIMac, 15.06.2008 9:34

As an active collector of large coleoptera and to some extent an expert in this infinitely interesting field, I would like to share here a number of observations concerning the search for saproxilobiont species, in particular representatives of the Horned family (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) and related groups. In 2007, I, a student of the Kazan State Agrarian University, was lucky enough to participate in the compilation of the Inventory of useful Insects and the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Invertebrate section, in connection with which we conducted a faunal analysis of the Red Book species of the Republic of Tatarstan.

I'll share some of my findings.

A large meeting of Lucanus cervus – 8 specimens (6 males) in a mixed dense deciduous stand of the Linden oak type (natural array of linden 80 years old, oak 110 years old, aspen damaged by false tinder, single birch 80 years old, in the undergrowth maple, elm, hazel, undergrowth renewal of linden). On a lying decaying linden tree with a diameter of 30 cm; in a heated forest clearing. There are a lot of oak and linden stumps around (5 stumps per 100 m walk), there are also recumbent trees of these breeds. Stumps with easily removed bark, mossy, there are fruit bodies of tinder mushrooms, part with a completely destroyed core. The recumbent trees turned to dust in places. Herbage: very dense, dominated by whitefish, sedge, stargazer. In the vicinity of a large forest ravine, the general slope of the territory is 2-3 degrees. The soil is greasy and fresh, there is a noticeable moisture content. The forest is mostly a solid shade of foliage. The area is mostly broad-leaved stands, there are only subspecies spruce crops. Directly next to the forest are vegetable gardens, cottages, agricultural land. The site is protected and belongs to the territory of the Sarala Agricultural Complex. Near the village. Narmonka.

GPS coordinates 55g 21 '53.68" C 49g 13`13.26 " B

Judging by the stories of local residents, deer beetles in these parts are quite common. It makes sense to talk about a local micro-population. In the second half of June, males and females actively fly in the evening in the gardens around the cherry, bird cherry, etc. The largest male caught is 58 mm. It is possible that old compost heaps (manure, hay, sawdust) at the edge of the forest may be additional sources for the development of Lucanus cervus larvae. So far, this information has not been confirmed.

This post was edited by DIMac - 06/16/2008 12: 25

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16.06.2008 11:35, DIMac

Dorcus parallelopipedus. 57 adults/10 birch stumps (38 males, the largest 28 mm, the smallest 19 mm). Only the subcortical part was studied by removing bark from stumps on an area of ~ 200 m2. Stump sizes: diameter 40-60 cm, height from 0.2 to 0.5 m. All the stumps are mossy, on the surface there are continuous rows of fruit bodies of false tinder. In all the examined stumps, there are also constantly found species of nutcrackers (Coleoptera, Elateridae): Sericus brunneus (8 individuals) and Melanotus rufipes (2 individuals). Boletophagus reticulatus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), millipedes, and ants are found on tinder plants.

Station: plain with micro-depressions, oak-aspen birch, closed young growth. In fact, an old overgrown clearing in the part of the forest near the village is located on the border of young forest growth (renewal and undergrowth of birch, linden, pine) and a forest mixed grass glade with meadow-marsh grassy-shrubby vegetation (with a predominance of golden buttercup and fragrant ash). The clearing warms up well during the day, but at the same time some moisture is noticeable, as well as a drop in air temperature at the entrance to the forest. Soils: gray forest podzolic on loam, fresh.

Nearby forest stands: oak-birch-aspen linden 90 years old with maple-linden undergrowth, aspen is heavily damaged by false tinder; from the south, linden oak 120 years old with linden undergrowth; from the west, linden pine 130 years old with linden-maple undergrowth.

GPS coordinates 55g 33 '07.17" C 49g 04`17.12 " B

picture: 1.JPG

One of the examined stumps inside the plantings. Diameter 40 cm. The bark has been partially removed from the southern side. Fruit bodies of tinder mushrooms are visible

picture: 2.JPG

Beetles on the inner part of the bark in brown dust

This post was edited by DIMac - 06/16/2008 12: 31

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17.06.2008 9:54, DIMac

Ceruchus chrysomelinus, Platycerus caraboides and Sinodendron cylindricum are usually found in large numbers together in one station in Tatarstan. Moreover, the tree is sometimes inhabited by one particular species. These territories can be very different: from ordinary forest clearings, groves, old parks to forest belts and woodlands (especially in the edge part) with birch, pine, and spruce in the composition. They are often found in the suburban area of Kazan. In any case, it is necessary to have stable shading in the surface layer and optimal moistening of the litter and upper soil layer, as well as the presence of lying rotting trees (small or large) of the above breeds. Sometimes they just run across the road and fly into the light. During the day, in most cases, they hide under the bark, sometimes forming clusters, females burrow into rotten wood to a considerable depth.

The last large cluster of Ceruchus chrysomelinus was recorded at the GPS point 55g28 '26.81" C 48g09`14.05 " B

This is a forest belt consisting of two parallel allotments-2.8 ha of birch and 2.2 ha of pine with linden undergrowth. Near the lake and the village, which create their own microclimate and stable moistening of the forest belt. On the other side is arable land for grain. A 100-meter-wide forest belt connects with autochthonous oak and lime trees, where there is generally a real expanse for collectors

In the strip itself there are quite a lot of lying rotten birches and wind-blown pines. On one such birch (see photo), somewhere in 2000, in the middle of summer, an incredible cluster of Ceruchus chrysomelinus was discovered, which cannot be directly recalculated. Just a lot of beetles were sitting on the bark and under the bark, some specimens were quite large. I have not yet been able to record more such major meetings in Tatarstan. Ceruchus chrysomelinus, like Dorcus parallelopipedus and Lucanus cervus, is also listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan (a rare species with limited habitat).

picture: ________________.JPG

Trees suitable for inhabiting Ceruchus chrysomelinus, Platycerus caraboides and Sinodendron cylindricum

This post was edited by DIMac - 17.06.2008 15: 45

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25.10.2008 19:22, Musson max

This year, at the beginning of July, I was in the village of Katovtsy, Odessa region. In km. from the village of dubovy border forest with Moldova. I would say that the number of Lucanus cervus there is really large. On a suitable oak tree with flowing sap, it was possible to collect up to 10 males and 2 females without strain. In the evening, as the villagers say, they fly abundantly over the fruit trees and into the light. Unfortunately, in the evening, I observed only one lost male

. But in the forest itself, I scored a good series, there was someone to choose

from . The maximum size of the male I caught is 72 mm. The minimum size is 42 mm. In total, I collected 10 males of different sizes and 2 females

. I decided not to take more, but why

.

Multiple photos:

I fell on a leaf under an oak tree

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26.10.2008 21:35, bugslov

If you feel like it, write to us. Perhaps we will cooperate . It's more fun together .
Since the deer were recruited in the above locality, it is interesting to find out the largest size of the male in this place. Take a couple of males and females, for geographical, so-called, point replenishment of the collection
Well, in general, this is Cerambyx cerdo , I have only one female specimen from Alushta, Crimea, Ukraine (born). I would like to replenish this species within reasonable limits (2-3 copies of males and females) The Red Book however

The desire to be honest already has somewhere to go, but not the season