Cucujus cinnaberinus is a species of beetles in the family Cucujidae, the flat bark beetles. It is native to Europe, being most common in Central Europe and rare in much of Southern and Western Europe.[1]

Cucujus cinnaberinus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Cucujidae
Genus: Cucujus
Species:
C. cinnaberinus
Binomial name
Cucujus cinnaberinus
(Scopoli, 1763)
Synonyms

Cucujus depressus
Cucujus geniculatus
Cucujus sanguinolentus
Cantharis sanguinolentus

Larva of Cucujus cinnaberinus

This beetle lives under tree bark. It is associated with oaks (Quercus spp.), maples (Acer spp.), and poplars (Populus spp.). It can be found in various habitat types, including forests and urban areas.[1] It is a saproxylic species, often feeding on decomposing wood.[1] It has also been observed eating maggots and the larvae of other beetles.[2]

This beetle is on the IUCN Red List as a near-threatened species. It is on many national lists of threatened species in Europe. Forest management practices include the removal of dead wood and dying trees, reducing available habitat and food sources for the beetle.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Nieto, A.; Mannerkoski, I.; Putchkov, A.; Tykarski, P.; Mason, F.; Dodelin, B.; Horák, J.; Tezcan, S. (2010). "Cucujus cinnaberinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T5935A11921415. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-1.RLTS.T5935A11921415.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Mazzei, A.; Bonacci, T.; Contarini, E.; Zetto, T.; Brandmayr, P. (2011). "Rediscovering the 'umbrella species' candidate Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) in Southern Italy (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), and notes on bionomy". Italian Journal of Zoology. 78 (2): 264–270. doi:10.1080/11250003.2010.485210.
  3. ^ Horak, J., Vávrová, E., & Chobot, K. (2010). Habitat preferences influencing populations, distribution and conservation of the endangered saproxylic beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) at the landscape level. European Journal of Entomology 107(1), 81.

External links edit