New data on the distribution of Cucujus cinnaberinus in western Romania

The species Cucujus cinnaberinus is protected under EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Annexes II and IV, as well as under the Bern Convention, Annex II. Probably because it lives hidden under the bark of dead trees Cucujus cinnaberinus is less known in many countries. It has been assessed as Near Threatened at the European and global levels by the IUCN Red List. At the European level, 453 Natura 2000 sites have been designated for the conservation of the species in 18 EU Member States, of which Hungary accounts for 31.56% of the designated areas. In Romania, even though wooded areas cover almost 28% of the countrys territory, in the absence of historical data, the species is protected in only 8 Natura 2000 sites, all of them located along the Carpathian arc with one exception. Following the studies carried out in the last years in the western and southwestern part of Romania we have identified new locations where the species is present both in protected areas and in areas that may become protected in the future. We have followed the habitat conditions in which the species thrives and its conservation needs. This research significantly contributes to understanding the distribution of C. cinnaberinus in Romania, with the new findings representing an initial step toward the species conservation in new areas.