Succession and phenology of beetle faunas (Coleoptera) in the fungus Polyporellus squamosus (Huds.: Fr.) Karst. (Polyporaceae) in Silesia, Poland

Abstract

Data are presented on the beetle fauna and its succession and phenology on the fruiting bodies of the polypore fungus Polyporellus squamosus in the Wroclaw area of Silesia in southwestern Poland. Ninety-eight species of beetles (over 2000 specimens) in 20 families were found. Species are grouped according to four different stages of maturity of the fungus fruiting body. Beetles were numerically most abundant on the fungus in the stage before ripening of the spores, but the greatest species diversity was in the final senescent stage of the dry fruiting body. Greatest numerical abundance and species diversity occurred during May. Thirty-eight species are reported from this fungus for the first time. The beetles are tentatively grouped into ecological categories of mycetobionts, mycetophiles, and mycetoxenes.