Results of a study of beetles within the grounds of the Zoo Ohrada, Hluboká nad Vltavou

František Grycz, Václav Křivan,                                         

       During the 2004 and 2005 there was an entomological study carried out in the grounds of Zoo Ohrada Hluboká nad Vltavou, this study focused on the fauna of beetles.  The aim of this study was to find out the type of spectrum of selected groups of beetles tied to the environment of the zoo grounds, which can be found on the shores of Munick pond. On the shores of the pond we can find representation of wetland biotope populated mainly by great number of ground beetles, further wetter biotope of meadows, where older trees also play important part, mainly oaks, which provide typical character of parkland with many tree lined avenues and solitary trees in and around the Hluboka nad Vltavou. 

       The collection of beetles was carried out by classical entomological methods, such as individual collection of imags, sliding, shaking of bushes and trees, soil leaching and also collection of beets by using light.  coprophagous beetles were collected in the excrements, which were found in the enclosures for phytophagous mammals.  Diverse types of beetles, which were recognized in the terrain, were recorded and let out again the same area, other materials are stored amongst the collection of the authors. Other information from amateur entomologist has also been used; these people come from the surrounding area of the zoo grounds   

       Results of the study showed presence of number of significant types of beetles.  Number of types have been found which are tied to old deciduous trees, mainly oaks, quite rich is also the population of hygrophilous ground beetle, that is found on the banks of Munick pond.  Further is mentioned the most interesting findings in individual biotopes.

       Avenues lined with old deciduous trees and solitaire trees, which are spread around the grounds of the zoo and around the whole neighborhood, represent quite unique biotope for a number of xylophagous beetles.   Number of them today belongs to a group of very rare beetles; some of them are among the list of specially protected species of beetles and on the red list of beetles.  Species of Giant Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) were found as well as Lesser Stag beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus), Aesalus scarabaeoides from the framily of Lucanidae, Dunkelgrüner (Potosia cuprea), Goldsmith beetle (Cetonia aurata), Liocola lugubris and also Potosia aeruginosa. Mainly the finding of this species is very important, because it is the first recording of occurrence of this thermophilous kind in the area of South Bohemia.  It is our biggest Goldsmith beetle, who is tied with its evolution to well preserved deciduous forests in the lowlands.  Other significant species found in old deciduous trees with hollows is Osmoderma eremita, he belongs amongst the most endangered species not only here in Czech Republic but also in the whole Europe.  He was listed amongst the significant European species of structure Natura 2000, and areas are declared for his habitation, which ensures his protection across the whole European Union.   From the Long-horn beetle family (Cerambycidae) we found the following – grate capricom beetle (Cerambyx cerdo) (in oak trees on the dams of Munic pond and other older insect galleries also near the grounds of the zoo), further longhorn beetls Rhopalopus femoratus, Plagionotus arcuatus, Plagionotus detritus, Phymatodes alni, Pyrrhidium sanguineum and some other more familiar types which evolved  in the deciduous woods. A rare type from the family of snapping beetle (Elateridae) was found living in the cavities of old oaks Ampedus dubius.

       On the banks of the Munic pond, directly within the grounds of the zoo, mainly in the rear part, and furthermore in the waterlogged and wet meadows as well as the surrounding areas to the canals, we found varied population of Ground beetles (Carabidae), typical for wet biotope and littoral vegetation of standing water and wetlands. These different types were found Elaphrus riparius, E. cupreus, Bembidion lunulatum, B. articulatum, B. tetracolum, B. octomaculatum, B. varium, Paranchus albipes, Agonum marginatum, A. sexpunctatum, A. viduum, A. lugens, Amara plebeja, Chlaenius vestitus, Stenolophus mixtus, S. teutonus,  Demetrias monostigma, D. imperialis, Lasiotrechus discus, Oodes helopioides, Pterostichus minor. The most significant finding was species Agonum lugens, which lives in very wet places without shade.  In the Czech Republic it can be found in greater numbers only in the warmest parts of South Moravia.  There have been only several accidental findings known of this beetle within the South Bohemia.  Species of Lasiotrechus discus lives in isolated cases, and few and far between on wet places in the burrows of small mammals.

       In the grounds of the zoo, which are drier biotopes like (paths and enclosures), we found several common eurytopus types of ground beetles. We found species of Leistus  ferrugineus, Cicindela campestris, Trechus quadrisignatus, Bembidion properans, Poecilus cupreus, Pterostichus melanarius, Calathus erratus, Anchomenus dorsalis, Agonum gracilipes, Amara aenea, A. familiaris, A. consularis, Harpalus rubripes, H. tardus, Pseudoophonus rufipes, Syntomus truncatelus. The finding of ground beetle Agonum gracilipes is quite interesting, it concerns a species with unknown bionomics, and it is rarely found and only singly, in most situations when light is used.

       Fauna of coprophagous beetles was followed only occasionally, and two different types of beetles were found, one as fertilizing Aphodius prodromus, A. distinctus, A. granarius and scarabaeid Onthophagus joannae a O. fracticornis. It is also possible to presume the occurrence of some of the more interesting types of beetle and therefore it would be better to carry out more detailed study with the aid of traps and with suitable bait. 

       The population of water beetles, which live on the banks of the pond, was also not studied in greater detail, because we are talking about a pond which is quite intensively used for fishing, and it is unlikely to find some unusual and interesting species of water beetles.  While catching with light we found a rare aquatic black beetle (Hydrophilus aterrimus), which belongs amongst endangered species.  He lives in shallow and grassy overgrown standing water.  In South Bohemia he has been found in the past few years mainly in the area of Třeboň.  In view of the method of catching with light, it is not possible to determine the exact place where this species can be found and it is not possible to rule out the possibility of the arrival of this beetle from some more distant location.  Further more we found another interesting species of aquatic Ochtebius pusillus and that was in a puddle within the grounds of the zoo.  It is one of the first findings of this kind within South Bohemia.

       On the basis of the carried out study, it is possible to evaluate the grounds of Zoo Ohrada and its surroundings as an important entomological area with presence of number of rare and endangered species of beetles.  During the expansion and maintenance of the grounds, special attention should be paid to this actuality and special care should be taken when planning the maintenance of old trees and landscaping to the grounds, mainly to the wetland biotopes near the banks of the Munick pond.  It would also be suitable to prepare an information board for the visitors of the zoo, where we could introduce some of the interesting kinds of beetles, explain their significance for the area.

 

Adresses of the authors:

František Grycz, Nerudova 10, 370 01 České Budějovice, gryczak@seznam.cz

Václav Křivan, Správa Národního parku Podyjí, Na Vyhlídce 5, 669 01 Znojmo, krivan@nppodyji.cz

 

       

Giant Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)                                     Elaphrus riparius            

 

       

Goldsmith beetle (Cetonia aurata)                                 Chlaenius vestitus