Genus Claviger Preyssler, 1790 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) in the Low Beskid Mts. (Poland) – new sites and host affiliation

Abstract

In the area of Poland there occur two species of the genus: Claviger longicornis P.W.J. Müller, 1818 and Claviger testaceus Preyssler, 1790. Both species are rare in Poland. Beetles of the genus Claviger are specialized myrmecophiles and are dependent on their host ants throughout the whole life cycle. During the field research, which were conducted in the Low Beskid Mts. (South - Eastern Poland), new sites of both species were found. C. longicornis was recorded in a colony of Lasius sabularum (Bondroit, 1918) and this is the first record of this ant as host. In addition, population of this species in ant colony was extremely large and correlated in time with the presence of sexual generation of ants. Transfer of beetles into artificial nest of L. niger and an attempt of rearing in laboratory conditions was unsuccessfu and finished after 36 days. C. testaceus was recorded in a colony of Lasius flavus (Fabricius, 1781), which is the most common host of this species.