Saproxylic Diptera (Insecta) of the Lazovsky State Nature Reserve (Russia)

Abstract

New original data on the ecology of 18 saproxylic Diptera species were obtained as a result of research of xylobionts in the Lazovsky State Nature Reserve (Russia). Ten species were registered for the first time from this territory. The material was acquired by the collecting of immature individuals in nature with consequent rearing in the laboratory. The species determination was based on the emerged imagos. Similar data on the same Diptera species collected in State Nature Reserve «Khingansky», State Nature Reserve «Ussuriyskii», State Nature Reserve «Kedrovaya Pad» and State Nature Reserve «Bolshekhekhtsirskiy» were used for comparison. The type of larval food was determined from specific observations in nature and under laboratory conditions. Related species complexes were described according to notes from field diaries. Literature data as well as results of original investigations were summarised to analyse insect confinement to various tree species in the territories of the State Nature Reserve «Khingansky», State Nature Reserve «Ussuriyskii», State Nature Reserve «Kedrovaya Pad» and State Nature Reserve «Bolshekhekhtsirskiy». We found that the largest number of investigated Diptera species was collected from Populus suaveolens and Maackia amurensis. Since the larvae of xylobiont dipterans inhabit the passages of other insects, the majority of larvae of investigated species proved to be sapronecrophages. The study of the saproxylic Diptera biology in combination with other insects allows us to identify the species-bioindicators of the tree stand damage in a forest. The ability to diagnose the presence of several serious forest pests such as Hylecoetus dermestoides (Coleoptera, Lymexylonidae) by the presence of saproxylic Diptera species (e.g. Libnotes longistigma (Limoniidae), Pseudoseioptera demonstrans (Ulidiidae) and Lenitovena pteropleuralis (Tephritidae)) has been discussed for the first time. The results of the present study can be used for further monitoring activities of the insect diversity in the Lazovsky State Nature Reserve, State Nature Reserve «Khingansky», State Nature Reserve «Ussuriyskii», State Nature Reserve «Kedrovaya Pad» and State Nature Reserve «Bolshekhehtsirsky» and in forests of neighbouring countries.

Keywords

• bioindication
• community
• distribution of flies among tree species
• Russian Far East
• new faunistic records
• wood destroying insect