Exploring the canthariphilous species of the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy): taxonomic diversity, phenology, and putative sources of cantharidin

Abstract

Canthariphilous species are those arthropods attracted to cantharidin (CTD), a defensive compound produced by two beetle families (Meloidae and Oedemeridae). Although several species are known to be attracted to CTD, canthariphily was recently discovered in new species, suggesting that the list of canthariphilous species is still far from being complete. A systematic sampling focused to detect canthariphilous species has never been performed in Italy. The present research provides a list of seven canthariphilous species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae, Anthomyiidae; Coleoptera: Anthicidae) from the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy) resulting from a one-year sampling with CTD-baited and control traps. New species (Atrichopogon atriscapulus and A. tolfensis) were found to be attracted to CTD, and other species, already known as canthariphilous, were recorded for the first time in the Italian fauna (A. atriscapulus and A. meloesugans). A new scenario about the ecological significance of CTD in the sexual selection of canthariphilous species was speculated in A. meloesugans. Finally, a list of CTD-producing species occurring in the sample area was provided to suggest putative natural CTD sources.

Keywords:

• Anthicidae
• Ceratopogonidae
• cantharidin
• chemical attractant
• European fauna

Acknowledgements

We greatly thank Dr. Tecla Gasperi (University of Roma Tre, IT) for having prepared the cantharidin solution used in the samplings. We also thank Dr. Giulia Scarparo (University of California Riverside, US) for her help in some sampling sessions. Finally, a symbolic thanks goes to the faithful 2003 Nissan Micra, which for years drives the first author and Giulia Scarparo to the exploration of Italian wilderness, and without which this sampling would not have been carried out; we hope your wreck becomes the 4 × 4 you have always deserved to be.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2023.2227655

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Italian Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) under the Grant of Excellence Departments, (ARTICOLO 1, COMMI 314–337 LEGGE 232/2016) and NBFC (PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, “Dalla ricerca all’impresa”, Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033) to Department of Science, Roma Tre University.