Biological peculiarities of ptinid beetles (Coleoptera, Ptinidae) – xylobionts of deciduous trees in the forest-steppe of Left-Bank Ukraine

Abstract

In the forest-steppe zone of Left-Bank Ukraine, 30 xylobiont species of the Ptinidae family developing on deciduous trees were registered. Own collections during 2005-2021 and collection materials of the Museum of Nature of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology confirmed the presence of 28 species in the studied area. The trophic specialization of the Ptinidae xylobiont species was analyzed, 4 trophic groups were identified. 19 species (63%) were classified as xylophages, 5 species (17%) as saprophages, 4 species (13%) as mycetophages, and 2 species (7%) as xylomycetophages. The method of incubation in the laboratory using photoeсlectors revealed host plants for 21 species. Most Ptinidae species develop on pedunculate oak Quercus robur – 11 species, followed by linden Tilia сordata, which is a host plant for 8 Ptinidae species. The remaining woody plant species are hosts for a smaller number of ptinid species: Acer sp. (2 species) Alnus glutinosa (4 species), Betula pendula (5 species), Corylus avellana (2 species), Fraxinus excelsior (4 species), Populus tremula (2 species), Salix alba (3 species), Ulmus sp. (2 species). Nocturnal activity and flight into the light have been recorded for 12 species: Ptinus rufipes A. G. Olivier, 1790, P. subpillosus Sturm, 1837, Cacotemnus rufipes (Fabricius, 1792), Hemicoelus canaliculatus (C. G. Thomson, 1863), Gastrallus immarginatus (P. W. J. Muller, 1821), G. laevigatus (A. G. Olivier, 1970), Priobium carpini (Herbst, 1793), Oligomerus brunneus (Olivier, 1790), O. retowskii Schilsky, 1898, Dorcatoma chrysomelina Sturm, 1837, Ptinomorphus regalis (Duftschmid, 1825), Xyletinus pectinatus (Fabricius, 1792).