Rediscovering the 'umbrella species' candidate Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) in Southern Italy (Coleoptera Cucujidae), and notes on bionomy

During the monitoring of protected species for the management plan of the Sila National Park (Calabria), abundant populationsof the saproxylic beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus were recorded in some pSCI forest sites with a well-developed Pinusnigra laricio tree layer. The beetle was rediscovered in Calabria after 49 years of unsuccessful attempts (since 1960) in 7 ofthe 21 stands investigated; it seems to be concentrated in good quality biotopes marked by a high availability of fallen pinetrunks at least 30 cm in diameter. In May and June, the population is represented mostly by aged larvae (III, IV instar), andpupae have been obtained in the laboratory starting from July. The observed feeding habits are predatory on maggots andon larvae of other saproxylic beetles; thus, C. cinnaberinus can be defined as a very active ‘large spectrum predator ofsaproxylic arthropods’. Chopped veal could be an alternative larval food in the laboratory. Climatic oscillations (annualprecipitation) may be involved in the reappearance of the beetle. A preliminary list of the associated saproxylic fauna is presentedand the potential role of C. cinnaberinus as an umbrella species is discussed.