During the monitoring of protected species for the management plan of the Sila National Park (Calabria), abundant populations of the saproxylic beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus were recorded in some pSCI forest sites with a well-developed Pinus nigra laricio tree layer. The beetle was rediscovered in Calabria after 49 years of unsuccessful attempts (since 1960) in 7 of the 21 stands investigated; it seems to be concentrated in good quality biotopes marked by a high availability of fallen pine trunks at least 30 cm in diameter. In May and June, the population is represented mostly by aged larvae (III, IV instar), and pupae have been obtained in the laboratory starting from July. The observed feeding habits are predatory on maggots and on larvae of other saproxylic beetles; thus, C. cinnaberinus can be defined as a very active 'large spectrum predator of saproxylic arthropods'. Chopped veal could be an alternative larval food in the laboratory. Climatic oscillations (annual precipitation) may be involved in the reappearance of the beetle. A preliminary list of the associated saproxylic fauna is presented and the potential role of C. cinnaberinus as an umbrella species is discussed.

Morphological features of three common European olfactory hunting carabid beetles, Carabus coriaceus mediterraneus Born, 1906, Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826 and Carabus preslii neumeyeri Schaum, 1856, were compared. According to eye measurements, the three species are nocturnal and/or twilight hunters. They differ, however, in relative length of the antennae, relative surface area of the compound eyes, density of ommatidia and relative head width. These differences can be correlated with the species-specific habitat demands (light intensity, open land or shaded places). In particular, the greater lateral eye protrusion in C. lefebvrei corresponds to its tree-climbing habits, while the larger relative eye surface area and ommatidia density in C. coriaceus correspond to its choice of open habitats.

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This study draws attention to the toxicity of dimethoate at sub-lethal concentration to beneficial carabid beetles living in olive groves agroecosystem of Calabria, Italy. Short-and long-term effects of dimethoate on a non-target generalist predator in agroecosystems, Pterostichus melas italicus (Dejean, 1828) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) adults, were quantified by toxicity test, total haemocyte counts and morphometric analyses. In laboratory toxicity tests, beetles of both sexes exposed to field concentration of this toxicant showed a reduction of activity and a mortality of 10% after 72 h. Moreover, the impact of dimethoate on the total haemocyte counts (THCs) was recorded as a significantly lower number of circulating haemocytes in treated animals compared to controls at 48 h. Morphometric analyses showed that dimethoate caused long-term sub-lethal effects as a reduction of some morphometric parameters in P. melas italicus populations from two olive groves (treated and natural). In addition, a significant reduction in body size of females from long-term treated olive grove and a sexual dimorphism alteration were observed. As a result, data suggested that dimethoate may cause sub-lethal effects on this non-target carabid species.

Volatile compounds produced by adults of Anchomenus dorsalis under undisturbed and disturbed conditions were investigated with an all-glass aeration apparatus. GC-MS analysis of the crude extracts from undisturbed and disturbed adults highlighted four major volatile compounds, undecane, heneicosane, Z-9 tricosene and tricosane, of which significantly more undecane was released by disturbed adults compared to undisturbed beetles. The pygidial glands of adults of Anchomenus dorsalis were investigated using light and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Each gland showed dense aggregates of secretory cells organized into visually distinct lobes; a long collecting canal that drains the secretion towards the reservoir, a bean-shaped double lobed muscular reservoir in which secretion is stored and a short duct (efferent duct) through which the secretion is discharged. The function of the pygidial glands and the possible role played by undecane as a defensive allomone and/or chemical signalling molecule are discussed.