Haeterius ferrugineus (Olivier)

Penati, Fabio, 2009, An updated catalogue of the Histeridae (Coleoptera) of Sardinia, with faunistic, zoogeographical, ecological and conservation remarks *, Zootaxa 2318, pp. 197-280 : 224-225

22. Haeterius ferrugineus (Olivier)

Hetaerius [sic!] ferrugineus Olivier : Bertolini 1904: 48; Porta 1926: 374; Luigioni 1929: 369; Horion 1949: 369; Barajon 1966; Vienna 1971: 299, 1980: 54; Audisio et al. 1995: 17

Literature data. “Sardinia” ( Bertolini 1904; Porta 1926; Luigioni 1929; Horion 1949; Barajon 1966; Vienna 1980; Audisio et al. 1995; Yélamos & Lackner 2004). Cagliari prov.: Ússana, 1936, UL, 2 ex (CUL). Nuoro prov.: Aritzo, 1–10.VI.1910, FS, 2 ex (CGB); idem, 10.VI.1910, AD, 2 ex ( CAD). Desulo, loc. Bruncu Spina, 13.V.1976, SZ, 1 ex (CPV). Macomer, loc. Bara, staz. FdS, 620–650 m, 26.II.1986, in Lasius bicornis (Foerster) ants’ nest under large, only slightly embedded stones on humid clayey terrain in open Quercus suber woodland, CM, 2 ex (CCMe). Monte Spada, 1300 m, 5.IX.1975, GFr, 1 ex (CPV). Monti del Gennargentu, VII.1911, AD, 1 ex ( CAD). Seui, Foresta Mont’Arbu, rio Ermolinus, 790–800 m, 14.V.1986, in Lasius bicornis ants’ nest under large, non-embedded stones in half-shaded riparian habitat, CM, 2 ex (CCMe). Sorgono, 2 ex ( Vienna 1971).

Unpublished records. Nuoro prov. : Macomer, stagno di Bara, 450 m, 1.III.2004, ADg, 1 ex ( CFP). Sassari prov.: Ozieri, sd, DA, 1 ex ( CAD) .

Chorotype. 1.10 TUE (Turano-European).

Italian distribution. All regions (Campania: Vomero & Nardi 2007) except Molise and Sicily.

Ecology. Found in or near (under stones or fallen trunks) nests of various ant species, where it feeds on larvae and dead or wounded adults. Like all myrmecophiles it is more easily found after rain or in humid weather.

Notes. It is the only myrmecophile present on the island [see also comments under Sternocoelis puberulus (Motschulsky) in the chapter “Excluded and/or doubtful species”].