Rare tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelinae) of Croatia: new findings and current distribution

Abstract

Here we present new records of two rare tiger beetles in Croatia, their distribution and habitat selection. Cylindera trisignata trisignata (Dejean, 1822) was recorded in Croatia,for the first time in 115 years, on Mljet Island in Blace Bay. Specimens were collected on a sandy beach, 5 - 6 m from the water’s edge sea coast. Cylindera arenaria viennensis (Schrank, 1781) was found in Croatia, for the first time in 67 years, in Podravina, in Kloštar Podravski. It was collected in an area previously exploited for sand mining, which was later abandoned and left to the natural succession. Both species were recorded in rare natural or semi-natural sandy habitat types that are endangered in Croatia. The survival of these and other psammophilous species depends on the suitable management and protection of sandy habitats.