Featured speciesText © K. Reißmann, T. Hörren, M. Stern, F. Bötzl and C. Benisch
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12.04.2019
Triphyllus bicolor (F., 1792)
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24 
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The 3.5 to 4 mm large hairy fungus beetle Triphyllus bicolor (family Mycetophagidae) is known to occur in Central and Southern Europe as well as in the southern regions of Northern Europe. In the east, its range reaches Western Russia. In Germany, Triphyllus bicolor is recorded from all Federal States, however, it is generally regarded as rare. The stenotopic, silvicolous species is mycetobiont and develops on soft fleshed agarics on decaying wood of deciduous trees, especially oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus). There seems to be a preference for the beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica). Both beetles and larvae feed on fungal hyphae and spores. For pupation, the larvae dig themselves into the ground. In the Red List of Germany Triphyllus bicolor is classified as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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05.04.2019
Curtimorda maculosa (Naez., 1794)
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24
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The tumbling flower beetle Curtimorda maculosa (family Mordellidae) is one of only two representatives of the genus in Germany, which can be distinguished by the silvery spots on the otherwise black elytra. Curtimorda maculosa shows a boreomontane distribution with occurrences in Fennoscandia, the low mountain range in Germany and France and in the Alps. The stenotopic species lives on openings in mixed forests, on clear cuttings and glades. It develops on stumps and decaying logs of spruce (Picea) on the fungus Trichaptum abietinum. In Germany there are records from a number of Federal States, however, the species is discovered only sporadically. In the Red List of endangered species in Germany, Curtimorda maculosa is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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29.03.2019
Callimus angulatus (Schrk., 1789)
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30
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The 7 to 9 mm large longhorn beetle Callimus angulatus (family Cerambycidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. The distribution of the Mediterranean species ranges from Spain over Italy to the Caucasus and North Iran and reaches the south of Central Europe in the circumalpine region. In Germany the thermophilic species is restricted to the southern half and is very rare. The larva develops in dead branches as thick as an arm of oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus). The slender, metallic blue beetles can be found on sunny days on sunny slopes and on the edges of forests on hawthorn (Crataegus) and buckthorn (Rhamnus), very rarely on other flowers (composites). In Germany Callimus angulatus is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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22.03.2019
Gonioctena fornicata Brüggemann, 1873
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25
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The Lucerne beetle Gonioctena fornicata (family Chrysomelidae) has been recorded for the German fauna for the first time in 2003. Gonioctena fornicata is one of twelve representatives of the genus in Germany, which are very similar to each other. Originally, the species is an element of the pontic fauna with xerothermic habitat requirements. Probably the species has been introduced to Baden-Württemberg with ship transports on river Rhine and its tributaries and is meanwhile established in the Upper Rhine valley. Adults and larvae of the 5 to 7 mm large species live on Lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago) and clover (Trifolium) and are classified as pests. In the US the species has been introduced several times with transports and is regarded as quarantine pest. (KR/CB)
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15.03.2019
Sibinia phalerata (Gyll., 1836)
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27
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The 2 to 2.4 mm small weevil Sibinia phalerata (family Curculionidae) is one of more than 200 species in the genus worldwide. In Germany 12 species are known to occur. The stenotopic, xerothermophilic species lives in dry and sun-exposed habitats on nutrient-poor sward, e.g. open sand dunes and gravel surfaces. Like most of the European species Sibinia phalerata develops on herbaceous plants of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), e.g. Arenaria, Cerastium, Dianthus and Silene. The distribution ranges from Europe (without the far north) to Central Asia. In Germany the species has been recorded from most Federal States (except the northwest), but is generally rare. In the Red List of endangered species Sibinia phalerata is classified as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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08.03.2019
Perigona nigriceps (Dej., 1831)
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16
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The just 2.4 to 3.2 mm large ground beetle Perigona nigriceps (family Carabidae) is the only representative of the genus in Central Europe. The species originates from the Indian Ocean and has been introduced to North America and Europe in the early 19th century. Meanwhile it has become a cosmopolitan. It is known to occur throughout Germany, but is only sporadically recorded. The eurytopic, thermophilic species is predacious and inhabits gardens, ruderal sites, dumps and landfills. It lives in compost, decaying plant matter and heaps of wood chippings, from which the beetle can be collected by sieving. The beetles are rather poor flyers and are attracted to light sources. With their black head, the short, pearl string-shaped antennae and the brownish to yellow elytra with the deeply engraved 8th sutural stria the species is easily recognized. (CB)
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01.03.2019
Trichodes alvearius (F., 1792)
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21
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The 10 to 15 mm large Checkered beetle Trichodes alvearius (family Cleridae) is one of only two representatives of the genus in Germany. It can be distinguished from its sister species by the black elytral suture and the black apical elytral stripe, which does not reach the red apex of the elytra. The species is known to occur in Southern and Central Europe. The beetles are found on blossoms, where to prey on other insects, but also feed on pollen. The females lay their eggs in the nests of solitary bees. After hatching, the larva feeds first on the egg or the young larvae of the bees, later on their pollen reserve. In the Red List of endangered species of Germany, Trichodes alvearius is classified as vulnerable (RL 3). (KR/CB)
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22.02.2019
Cytilus sericeus (Forst., 1771)
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25
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The 4.5 to 5.5 mm large pill beetle Cytilus sericeus (family Byrrhidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. Contrary to other species of the family, Cytilus sericeus is only partly able to hide its antenna and legs in cavities on its lower side, a protection mechanism that is also the origin of the family's vernacular name. Cytilus sericeus is of rounded oval body shape, the elytra are checkered metallic green to bronze-brown and black. The beetle can be found on wet meadows, in floodplains, in peat bogs and fens on moss and sphagnum. Both adult beetles and larvae feed on moss. The distribution of Cytilus sericeus ranges from Europe far into the east. In Germany there are recent records from all Federal States. The species is regarded as not endangered. (CB)
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15.02.2019
Mycetophagus quadriguttatus Müll., 1821
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25
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The 3.5 to 4 mm large Mycetophagus quadriguttatus (family Mycetophagidae) is one of ten representatives of the genus in Germany. Some of the species resemble each other quite a bit. However, they can be distinguished by their habitus, coloration and by the form of the club of the antenna. The latter is four-segmented and the last segment is barely longer than the second last in Mycetophagus quadriguttatus. The species occurs throughout the holarctic and lives in deciduous forests in mouldy detritus and brushwood of oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus) and on agarics as well as synanthropic in barns and stables in mouldy hay and straw and on moulding foodstuffs. Both adult beetles and larvae feed on mould fungi and their spores. In Germany, Mycetophagus quadriguttatus is currently recorded from all Federal States and is regarded as not endangered. (CB)
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08.02.2019
Tetratoma ancora F., 1790
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17
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The 3 to 3.5 mm large polypore fungus beetle Tetratoma ancora (family Tetratomidae) is one of three representatives of the genus in Germany. The species are characterized by their 4-membered club of the antenna, which is also reflected in the scientific name of the family. T. ancora can be easily distinguished from the sister species T. fungorum and T. desmaresti by the variable yellow markings on the elytra. The distribution ranges from Central Europe to the far north of Europe and Russia. The species develops on branches of deciduous trees, especially beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus), maple (Acer) which are infested by crust fungi (Corticium), occasionally bitter oyster (Panus stipticus) and turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor). In Germany, T. ancora is widespread, but rare (RL 3). (CB)
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01.02.2019
Pedostrangalia revestita (L., 1767)
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23
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The longhorn beetle Pedostrangalia revestita (family Cerambycidae) is known to occur in virtually all Federal States of Germany. However, due to its acrodendric lifestyle and the very special requirements of the larvae the beetle is rarely found. Some observations of animals fallen from the treetop are known, but mostly records result from specimen reared from larvae. The larvae develop in various deciduous trees, mainly in red rotted parts of living trees or in the insertion points of dead branches. The attractive species is 8 to 15 mm large and can be mixed up with Rhamnusium bicolor at first sight. However, the latter is considerably larger (15-23 mm) and has a completely different lifestyle. In Germany Pedostrangalia revestita is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (KR)
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25.01.2019
Oreina cacaliae (Schrk., 1785)
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Together with other representatives of the genus Oreina the 7.5 to 10 mm large alpine leaf beetle Oreina cacaliae is among the large leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae) in Central Europe. In Germany the genus is present in the Alps, a few species have also been recorded from the Black Forest and in the Bavarian Forest. Most of the species are of bright and shiny metallic and extraordinarily variable coloration, which makes their determination pretty difficult. Oreina cacaliae is known to occur in the mountain range of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg as well as in Saxony. The beetles feed first on Alpine Butterbur (Petasites paradoxus) and later switch to Adenostyles alliariae, on which their larvae develop. (KR)
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18.01.2019
Hypera arator (L., 1758)
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The 4.5 to 6 mm large weevil Hypera arator (family Curculionidae) is one of 28 representatives of the genus in Germany. It can be distinguished from other Hypera species by its distinctive, elegant markings. The palearctic distribution range of Hypera arator spreads over North Africa, throughout Europe and till Siberia. The eurytopic, halotolerant species can be found on meadows, alongside brooks and in flood plains as well as on ruderal sites and salt marshes near dykes. They develop in various plants of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), e.g. in pink (Dianthus), campion (Silene), catchfly (Lychnis), spurrey (Spergula), stitchwort (Stellaria) and others. In Germany the species known to occur in all Federal States and not regarded as endangered. (CB)
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11.01.2019
Deronectes aubei (Muls., 1843)
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Deronectes aubei is among the few representatives of the predaceous diving beetles (family Dytiscidae) living in running water. For their life in the hyporheic zone they exhibit specific morphological adaptions. The beetle can survive submerged for over six weeks (Kehl, Dettner, Journal of Morphology, 2009, 270 (11), 1348-1355). Their camouflage is remarkable: The beetles resemble both in size and color the bracts of leaf buds and are hardly distinguished from them in running water. Their mode of movement is atypical for a diving beetle: Deronectes aubei crawls slowly on the ground, leaps up, swims a short distance and settles again on the ground. Also the movement resembles a bract flowing in the running water. In Germany, it is restricted to a few brooks in the Black Forest and is classified as extremely rare (RL R) in the Red List. (KR/CB)
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04.01.2019
Necrobia ruficollis (F., 1775)
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The red-shouldered ham beetle Necrobia ruficollis (family Cleridae) is one of three representatives of the genus in Germany and can be easily distinguished by the red pronotum and the red shoulders of the elytra. In the wild, the beetles appear on old carcasses and on carrion in the later dry stages of decay, where the adults prey on the larvae of other insects, whereas the larvae of N. ruficollis feed on dry leftovers of the carcass. Presumably the origin of the species is not located in Europe, but it cannot be established unequivocally today, because the species has been distributed throughout the world with foodstuffs since centuries. In Germany there are recent records from all regions, however, discoveries are sporadic and rather rare, especially in the north. (KR)
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28.12.2018
Stelidota geminata Say, 1825
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21
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The Strawberry Sap Beetle Stelidota geminata (family Nitidulidae) was discovered at the Kaiserstuhl by G. Krumm in 2007 for the first time in Germany. The invasive species originates from the subtropical zone of the Nearctic and has meanwhile spread to most regions of Southwest Germany. Similar to Epuraea ocularis, the beetle lives on rotting fruits and can be easily found in late summer and during autumn on windfall fruits, in which the larvae develop. Gender can be easily determined by their hind tibiae, which are curved and thickened towards the apex and furthermore by the thickened foot of the forelegs in the male. In the US the species is an economic pest in strawberry cultivation. Because over-ripe fruit is especially attractive, damage is often greatest in U-Pick operations where pickers leave large numbers of (over-) ripe berries in the field. (KR/CB)
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21.12.2018
Cicones undatus (Guer., 1844)
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The 2.5 to 3.5 mm large cylindrical bark beetle Cicones undatus (family Colydiidae) is one of only two species of the genus in Germany. It can be distinguished from the on average slightly larger sister species C. variegates by the lighter colored, more checkered and ribless elytra. The stenotopic species is known to occur in Southern Europe and the southern part of Central Europe und shows a discontinuous East-West distribution with occurrences in France and Poland. It was only in 1991, when C. undatus was discovered for the first time in Hesse. Since then, further records have been made in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony. The beetles can be found under the bark of staying logs of beech (Fagus) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) infested with fungi. (CB)
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14.12.2018
Latheticus oryzae Wtrh., 1880
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15
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The only 2 to 2.8 mm large Longheaded Flour Beetle Latheticus oryzae (family Tenebrionidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. It is a small yellowish brown beetle with flat slender body, a broad head and short antenna with a 5-membered club. The species originates from Southeast Asia. Meanwhile Latheticus oryzae is widespread in the tropical and subtropical region and is regularly introduced to Central Europe with rice and tapioca meal. The Longheaded Flour Beetle is thermophilic and prefers temperatures around 35 °C. Furthermore it requires a high humidity of 85%. Therefore, in Germany the species in found only synanthropic in storages and can become a pest in grains, rice and tapioca meal. Due to its climate requirements, the beetle is not yet established in Germany in the wild. (CB)
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07.12.2018
Oxymirus cursor (L., 1758)
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The 16 to 30 mm large longhorn beetle Oxymirus cursor (formerly Toxotus cursor) is a representative of the subfamily Lepturinae within the longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae). The variable species is known to occur throughout Europe (with exception of the south), in the Caucasus and Siberia. The stenotopic, silvicolous Oxymirus cursor prefers coniferous forests, especially spruce forests of the montane to alpine zone as habitat. The ligniocolous and xylodetriticolous species develops in moist and rotten root wood of spruce (Picea) and pine (Pinus). On warm days the beetles swarm and can be found on old trunks and occasionally on flowers. In Germany, Oxymirus cursor is recorded from most Federal States and is not regarded as endangered. (CB)
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30.11.2018
Hippuriphila modeeri (L., 1761)
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The 2 to 2.5 mm large Horsetail Flea Beetle Hippuriphila modeeri (family Chrysomelidae) is the only palearctic representative of the genus. The bronze colored, shiny metallic beetle with yellow spot towards the apex of the elytra is distributed throughout whole Europe and can be easily determined. Hippuriphila modeeri is stenotopic and hygrophilic, the species can be found in swamps, damp meadows and on the edges of forests, on brooksides and in floodplains. Both adults and larvae are monophagous and live on Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense). During winter the beetle can be found by flood detritus sifting. In Germany, there are recent records from virtually all Federal States and the species is not regarded as endangered. (CB)
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23.11.2018
Acalles camelus (F., 1792)
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The 2.6 to 4.6 mm large weevil Acalles camelus (family Curculionidae) is one of 14 representatives of the genus in Germany, which are mostly difficult to determine. Acalles camelus is known to occur from Spain over Central Europe and Italy till Hungary, in the north in Denmark and Southern Sweden. Specimens from the mountains of the southern part of the range tend to be larger on average. The stenotopic, silvicolous species lives in deciduous and mixed forests of the montane zone, especially in beech forests. The pholeophilic, xylophagous animals can be found on dead branches of oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus), and in the leaf litter during the day. In Germany, there are recent records from virtually all Federal States, it is deemed to be not endangered. (CB)
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16.11.2018
Necrophorus humator (Gled., 1767)
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The sexton or black burying beetle Necrophorus humator (family Silphidae) is one of two entirely black Necrophorus species of the German fauna. In all other representatives of the genus the otherwise black beetles exhibit orange markings on the elytra. Similar to other burying beetles, Necrophorus humator buries carcasses of small animals, on which their larvae will develop. They exhibit a remarkable brood care behavior. The female feeds the grubs by regurgitating liquid food until they can feed off the carcass themselves. The female stays in the crypt with the grubs until they pupate, repairs damages of the crypt, fends off competitors and predators and cleans the crypt from mould and rot. With a body length of 18 to 26 mm, Necrophorus humator is the second largest species of the genus in Germany. (KR/CB)
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09.11.2018
Zorochros meridionalis (Cast., 1840)
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The 1.5 to 2.5 mm large click beetle Zorochros meridionalis (family Elateridae) is the only unicolored and pubescent species among the four representatives of the genus in Germany. The distribution of Zorochros meridionalis ranges from Southern and Central Europe to the Caucasus and Asia Minor. In Germany the species is missing in the north, the border of its range is situated along the northern edge of the central German low mountains. The stenotopic, psammophilic and thermophilic species can be found on the sandy edges of ponds, in sand and gravel pits, and on dry and warm slopes between grasses on sandy ground, often in abundance. Their small size, the good camouflage and their extraordinary jumping power makes the discovery rather difficult. In Germany, Z. meridionalis is not endangered. (CB)
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02.11.2018
Psammoecus bipunctatus (F., 1792)
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The flat bark beetle Psammoecus bipunctatus (family Silvanidae) is only 2.3 to 2.8 mm large and is a very common species in bogs, weedy edges of water bodies and reedy land-sea transition zones. The distribution ranges from Southern Europe to the southern parts of Northern Europe and to Russia in the East. In Germany the distinctive species with its black head, reddish pronotum and the yellow elytra with their variable black markings is unmistakable. Beetles and larvae live in moist to wet plant detritus, e.g. dead reed (Phragmites) and bulrush (Typha) near the edges of water bodies and can be found there occasionally in abundance. Psammoecus bipunctatus swarm during the evening hours and is attracted to light sources. (KR/CB)
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26.10.2018
Diodesma subterranea Guer., 1844
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The 2 to 2.8 mm large cylindrical bark beetle Diodesma subterranea (family Colydiidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. The distribution range of D. subterranean is discontinuous, with a western area (mountains of Eastern France, Southwest Germany, Switzerland) and an eastern area (Lower Austria to Northern Balkan Mountains and to the Crimea). In Germany D. subterranea is restricted to montane forests in the southwest, e.g. Kaiserstuhl, Black Forest, Kraichgau and Odenwald. The stenotopic, xylodetricolous and humicolous species lives on decaying branches of oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus) lying on the ground in leaf litter. The adult beetle hibernates. In Germany, D. subterranea is rare and regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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