Natural History Observations on a Population of <i>Vesperus luridus</i> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Central Italy

Abstract

Natural history observations were made, during August–September 2021, on a population of the ecologically poorly known Vesperus luridus (Cerambycidae) at a hilly locality of Latium, Central Italy. These beetles were searched for by night along a 170 m long transect, with the help of hand torches. During the field surveys, we recorded a total of 130 individuals, of which 128 were males and 2 females. All individuals were observed between 21 h 45 and 01 h 15, with above-ground activity peaking from 22 h 45 to 23 h 45. The minimum observed density per day showed a rapid increase to a peak at the end of August, followed by a slower decrease in the following two weeks. Mean male density was 0.32 individuals per transect m2, whereas only two females were observed (mean density = 0.006 individuals per transect m2). Most individuals were found on trees, and they appeared to be highly attracted to artificial lights. One female, situated on a tree at a height of 170 cm, was surrounded by five courting males.

Keywords

• coleoptera
• <i>Vesperus</i>
• ecology
• density
• Italy