First Report for Europe ofAtaenius picinus(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)

Abstract

The Aphodiinae subfamily (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) is mainly coprophagous, except a number of species with saprophagous, phytosa pro phag ous and polyphagous feeding habits. Some of them severely damage the roots of several cultivations (e.g. Eupariini) (Stebnicka, 2004; Dellacasa and Dellacasa, 2006), as in the case of larvae of Aphodius pardalis Le Conte, 1857 which reportedly reach densities of 1000 m-2 in pastures in Oregon (USA) (Ritcher and Mor ri son, 1955). Euparinii show a great ability to spread their distribution as contaminants of many commodities, in particular soil samples. Many species are acclimated in Europe, such as Ataenius brevicollis Wollaston, 1854 and Para taenius simulator Harold, 1868, introduced in Portugal (Lobl and Smetana, 2006). In the Southeast of United Kingdom, the Australian species Saprosites mendax Black burn, 1892 has been established since 1930 (Tottenham, 1930). Ataenius picinus is a widely distributed species across the world. It has been described under several names (Cartwright, 1945, 1948, 1964, 1970; Watt, 1948; Chalumeau, 1992). Its elevated ability to tolerate a wide range of ecological conditions is the reason for its potential to be carried around the world with ships and airplanes, as a stowaway or as a contaminant of commodities. It is regarded as a minor pest: its larvae may damage seedlings, whereas adults may damage strawberries, potatoes, and beans (Stebnicka, 2004). Ataenius picinus can be easily collected at light (Watt, 1984) and found in pitfall traps, in cow (Cartwright, 1964) and sheep dung, in leaf litter samples, soil and compost heaps, under carrion and stones, and in decaying fruits (Watt, 1984) and mushrooms (Stebnicka, 2004). Its native distribution includes South and Central America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, West Indies) and the Southern United States (Stebnicka, 2004). Its present distribution comprises Australia (Stebnicka and Howden, 1997), New Zealand (Stebnicka, 2001), New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu (Stebnicka, 2004). In 2009, a specimen of Ataenius picinus Harold, 1867 was found on July 17 in the handling area of empty containers. This is the first record for Europe and the Volume 122, Number 1, January and February 2011 97