Distribution of a rare saproxylic beetle Cucujus haematodes (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) in the Czech Republic with notes to the occurrence in central Europe

Abstract: The saproxylic beetle Cucujus haematodes Erichson, 1845 lives under the bark of withered and dead trees, and is included on the red lists of endangered species in many European countries. Our results, based on literature, lead us to the preliminary conclusion that in the Czech Republic, this species could be considered as a relict of continuous forests. Populations of this species have steeply declined with loss of primary habitats. We present recent and historical distributional data for this species from the Czech Republic and adjacent countries. To our knowledge, the only recent Czech records of C. haematodes are from Mionší (Czech Silesia). However, the species occurred historically in southern Bohemia (four records, one confirmed from Kamýk u Protivína), northern Moravia (Kotouč u Štramberka) and Czech Silesia (Karlova Studánka and Praděd). We also discuss localities on the Polish side of the national border, and the occurrence and red-list status of the species in the central Europe. Thus, we analyse its presence, distribution and risk of extinction in the Czech Republic and central Europe.

Key words: Coleoptera, Cucujidae, Cucujus haematodes, distribution, relictual occurrence, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Poland, central Europe