Knowledge of patterns of genetic diversity in populations of threatened species is vital for their effective conservation. Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia

Activity density is one of the most common measures for ground-dwelling arthropods including carabids. The term refers to the empirical fact that pitfall trap catches depend on the individuals’ activity; the higher activity of the individuals, the more catches in the traps. Although the movement at the individual level is widely studied, there is no available evidence whether the individual movement can be a good proxy for activity density. In our study, we aimed to explore this link in two ground beetle species, Carabus scheidleri and C. coriaceus, in oak-hornbeam forest in Hungary. We used pitfall traps for activity density and capture-mark-recapture and radio telemetry to record individual movement patterns in different forestry treatments, preparation cuttings and clear-cuttings, and their control plots. We identified an indirect link between activity density and movement of individuals via treatment types. Although activity density, mean walking speed, and the proportion of active time were significantly higher in both treatments than in control plots, individual movement reveals only temporal use of these habitats. Beetles left treatments within a few days. We concluded that the high turnover of individuals in treatments might indirectly suggest that these habitats likely act as temporary foraging sites for both species.

The members of the genus Carabus are among the most intensively studied beetle taxa, but many aspects of their autecology are still unexplored. We aimed to study the relationship between measured abiotic parameters and the spatial and temporal distribution of signature carabid species. Carabus assemblages were sampled by pitfalls at six sites belonging to two nearby locations, both forest habitats: in valley and in hill-top position. The sites showed variation in microclimatic and soil characteristics, to which the seven species caught showed specific spatial associations. Carabus scheidleri and C. coriaceus were ubiquitists, occurring at all sites. The habitat specialist C. violaceus germari indicated valley sites with high humidity, lower temperature, limy soil and higher pH, whereas the other specialists, C. nemoralis and C. convexus were strongly associated with the dry, warm, more acidic hill habitat. Remaining species were associated with specific sites and environmental features. The species also exhibited specific phenological patterns corresponding with their habitat preference. Hill habitat species exhibited peak activity density during the hottest summer period, whereas most other species had an activity depression during that period. The results suggest that although Carabus activity density patterns are species specific, they are largely affected by temperature both spatially and temporally.