Tibicina haematodes (Scopoli, 1763)

Hertach, Thomas & Nagel, Peter, 2013, Cicadas in Switzerland: ascientific overview of the historic and current knowledge of apopular taxon (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), Revue suisse de Zoologie 120 (2), pp. 229-269 : 248-250

Tibicina haematodes (Scopoli, 1763)

German common name: Weinzwirner (e.g. Schedl, 2000)

French common name: La Cigale rouge (e.g. Boulard, 1995)

DISTRIBUTION (Fig. 7)

All studies reporting Tibicina haematodes from the Valais are considered to be incorrect ( Fuesslin, 1775; Stoll, 1901; Kuntze, 1931, Schedl, 2000) as well as two voucher specimens labelled with “ Wallis ” (NMT) and “Martigny” (VS, MNHN). Nevertheless, it is possible that the species could have reached Switzerland from three different directions historically,from the north, the south or the west, since it has been published for all neighbouring countries except Liechtenstein: Italy [up to Bozen ( Schedl, 2002) and around Torino ( Griffini, 1896; Della Beffa, 1925)], France [including central parts (e.g. Hagen, 1855; Puissant, 2006)], Austria [Vienna region (e.g. Hagen, 1855; Wagner &Franz, 1961; Schedl, 2002)] and Germany [Rhine-Main region (e.g. Hagen, 1855; Vogel, 1935, 1937; Schwoerbel, 1957)].

With respect to the north, Labram &Imhoff(1845) mentioned T.haematodes as avery rare species in the Basel region. One historic population is mentioned from the vineyards in Rouffach (Alsace, France) situated only 50 km north of Basel ( Döderlein, 1913; Huber,1916). 16 specimens of this time are deposited in the collection of the Zoological Museum of Strasbourg labelled with the nearby village of Westhalten ( Hugel et al.,2008). The German population nearest to Switzerland was described from Tübingen (Baden-Württemberg) with apopulation of 80 to 100 specimens ( Schwoerbel, 1957). Fischer (1847) cited an occurrence from Tuttlingen and Immendingen (Baden-Württemberg) that is only situated 15 km north of the Swiss border, but had doubts about the identification. To summarize, it is possible that Labram &Imhoff(1845) are correct and T.haematodes had sporadically occurred in the Basel region, but nevertheless it is more likely that the authors confused it with C. montana s. l. A specimen labelled “Winterthur” (ZH) (1900-1910, leg. Huber, NMWI) is considered as doubtful, since it was near ahandwritten label with “cicada from the Mediterranean for comparison”. The location probably refers to the domicile of the collector.

With respect to the south, no reliable historic references could be found that T.haematodes once occurred in Ticino. Two unlabelled specimens are deposited in the MCSN collected by Scherrer and Maestri who were active mainly in southern Ticino and especially in the surroundings of Morcote and Melide at the beginning of the 20 th century (Pollini Paltrinieri, pers. comm.).

Vernier (1996) mentioned ahistorical occurrence of the species for the Geneva region, the most western part of Switzerland. In fact, six adult specimens (1 ♀,5 ♁) and four nymphal skins of T.haematodes from the Canton of Geneva are preserved in the collection of the MHNG. They are labelled from the two localities “Pont Butin/Aïre” (western city limit of Geneva) and “Nant de Lagnon” (east of Aire-la- Ville, municipality of Bernex) (leg. Simonet, Schauenberg, Maerky or anonymous). Wetherefore conclude that areproductive population must have existed along afour kilometre length of the Rhone River from 1914 to 1947 .

Despite recent intense field work, T.haematodes was found neither in southern Ticino nor in the Basel region. When investigating the slopes of the Rhone River

FIG.7

Distribution map of Tibicina haematodes (top) including the data source for the records presented (below).

downstream of Geneva two small populations of 3to 4singing males each were discovered at the historically known localities Pont Butin and Nant de Lagnon in 2012 and asingle singing specimen was discovered at Cartigny (GE) in 2011and in 2012. These are the first known observations of the species for more than 60 years in Switzerland.

ECOLOGY AND THREAT

The historic and recent Swiss habitats in the Geneva Region are oak dominated deciduous woodland on steep slopes. At the Pont Butin locality two specimens entered

a small orchard in 2012. An occurrence in vineyards is not documented for Switzerland. The site Pont Butin/Aïre seems to be adversely affected by settlements. The Rouffach population (Alsace, France) was endangered through the collecting of this attractive species by dealers ( Döderlein, 1913).

Tibicina haematodes is an indigenous, but extremely rare Swiss species. The current population size is about 10 calling males. It is interesting that we have found the species 60 years after the last record at exactly the same localities. Either the two small but striking populations have been continuously present without any public recognition or the species has re-immigrated to its former habitats. The population in the Val des Usses (Haute-Savoie, France) mentioned by Vernier (1996) is still present according to regular observations until 2010 (Bal, pers. comm.). Given its short distance of only 15 km from the Swiss border,it might serve as apool for immigration.

With the rise of more ecologically sensitive approaches to viticulture, supported by a milder climate, T. haematodes might be establish more numerous populations in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the species is currently critically endangered.