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MARCO MORETTI & EVA SPRECHER-UEBERSAX (2004) Über das Vorkommen des Hirschkäfers Lucanus cervus L. (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) im Tessin: Eine Umfrage im Sommer 2003. Mitteilungen der Entomologischen Gesellschaft Basel 54 (2): 75-82
Abstract - In the summer of 2003 a survey, recording sitings by the general public of the stag beetle Lucanus cervus L., was undertaken in the canton Ticino. Over 280 beetles were reported (71% males, 29% females). The data received are to large extent consistent with literature data and confirm that stag beetles are relatively common in Ticino. Adult activity usually takes place in June and especially in July. However, in 2003 adult activity was earlier in the season, probably because of the unusually high temperatures. Comparing populations from Ticino and the region of Basel it is surprising to note that adults north of the Alps appear earlier than those in the south. We would expect earlier adult appearance in the warmer southern regions than in the north. A possible explanation is that the shorter summer period in northern regions results in earlier adult appearance in order to give the larvae sufficient time to accumulate stores to survive the long winter period.
It was noticed that during the very hot summer of 2003, stag beetles were active earlier in the season. Also that they appeared later than those north of the Alps.
A further study in Lombardy, Italy, in which predated remains of L. cervus were monitored, the first corpses were found in 12 May (Toni, 2009). This is a much earlier date for the south of the Alps than the one recorded during the 2003 Ticino canton public survey, 20 May.
Stag beetles in England emerge from mid May, their peak flying activity is at around the middle of June, which is roughly the same time as the ones north of the Alps.
However, in the south, for instance, Hungary, Italy, and Spain, they carry on flying till much later than in the north.
Generally insects emerge earlier in the south and this species seems to be no exception.
Reference:
TONI I. (2009) Monitoraggio di Lucanus cervus nella riserva naturale Bosco della Fontana attraverso l'utilizzo dei resti di predazione, Tesi di Laurea
in Biologia Ecologica, Università degli studi di Parma, Italia. To obtain a copy contact me.
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