No abstract

For the first time eggs, larvae and pupae obtained by rearing are described for Astrapaeus, a monotypic West Palearctic rove beetle genus of a puzzling phylogenetic position within the megadiverse tribe Staphylinini. Morphology of the immature stages of Astrapaeus ulmi is compared to that of other members of the tribe and discussed in a phylogenetic context. Contrary to conventional systematics and in accordance with recently developed phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphology of adults, larval morphology supports the non-Quediina affiliation of Astrapaeus. Eggs and pupae provided fewer characters with putative phylogenetic signal. Under laboratory conditions, a peculiar preference for isopod prey was observed for A. ulmi. However, this could not be evaluated in an evolutionary context because of the lack of data on the diet of this and related taxa in nature.

Hiking may have a negative effect on vertebrates, but the impact on insects is unknown. Large‐scale hiking may lead to habitat degradation, the introduction of alien species and the killing of insects occurring in places visited by people. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of hiking on the mortality of insects. Randomly selected hiking trails in the western Carpathians (southern Poland) were surveyed and dead insects lying on the trails were collected. To compare the composition of ground‐dwelling insects killed on trails, insects from free‐living populations were sampled with ground pitfall traps. The species abundance of insects killed on trails and those caught in traps differed significantly. Apart from common species, rare and legally protected insects were also found on the trails. Trail mortality peaked in July along with increasing hiking activity. Body size did not affect mortality, at either the species or individual levels. Species mobility influenced mortality, with less mobile species being more vulnerable to trampling. Trampled insects remained on the ground for a maximum of 72 h, although 50% disappeared within 24 h. Our results indicate that trail‐killing is, to some degree, a random process and that hiking can influence insects by the elimination of individuals. Given the total length of hiking trails in Poland (76 400 km), and the significant human impact on natural areas resulting therefrom, hiking may be having a negative influence on insect populations.

In four study plots located in silver fir and Scots pine stands in Magura National Park (southeastern Poland), the relationships between the occurrence and biomass of epigeic carabids, the volume of deadwood and soil biochemical properties were investigated. Thirteen carabid beetle species from the genera Abax, Carabus, Molops and Pterostichus were captured. Rare epigeic carabid species in the fauna of Poland and Europe, such as Carabus glabratus (Paykull), Carabus sylvestris (Panzer) and Abax schueppeli (Germar), were recorded. The number of carabid individuals and species captured as well as the mean individual biomass index at different elevations and in forests of different tree compositions differed significantly. There were no correlations between deadwood volume, carabid abundance and the mean individual biomass of the carabid beetles. The mean individual Carabidae biomass increased with elevated pH, soil carbon content, soil dehydrogenase activity and the number of stumps.