Habitat selection and morphology of Saga pedo (Pallas, 1771) in Alps (Susa Valley, Piedmont, NW Italy) (Insecta: Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Saginae)

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the knowledge of Saga pedo (Pallas, 1771), summarizing the results of a field study carried out on a population of the Italian W Alps. The peculiar eco-ethological traits of this species make its observation difficult in nature and overall also its biology is little known, especially in Italy. The habitat selection is outlined from 34 unpublished presence data, collected between 2016 and 2018. Moreover, some biometric traits are compared between adult individuals observed in two different and disjointed survey areas. The results show that the environments in which this species lives in Susa Valley should not be referred exclusively to xerothermic oases in strict sense. This species appears to be also associated, in fact, with xeric environments of agricultural origin, mostly abandoned vineyards. These land uses (especially viticulture) could have guaranteed the survival of S. pedo over time. The closure of these open areas by shrub and tree vegetation, constitutes an important threat factor. Phenology and morphology of this species in Susa Valley, seem do not differ from those reported for other European populations. However, from the biometric analysis some significant differences emerge (p<0.05) among the individuals sampled in the two areas, that are difficult to interpret. The observation of imagoes, always combined with high densities of potential prey and sometimes grouped, suggests some hypotheses that it would be interesting to test, to learn more about the ethology and ecology of this enigmatic protected species.

Conservation biogeography of high‐altitude longhorn beetles under climate change

“…Velásquez‐Tibatá et al, 2013), mammals (e.g. Levinsky et al, 2013; Morueta‐Holme et al, 2010) and several insect groups among the Coleoptera (Barredo et al, 2015; Bosso et al, 2013; Buse et al, 2013; Urbani et al, 2017), Orthoptera (Anselmo, 2019; Urbani et al, 2017), and Lepidoptera (Filz & Schmitt, 2015; Hernández‐Baz et al, 2016; Kumar et al, 2015; Lemoine, 2015; Todisco et al, 2012; Tóth et al, 2013).…”

“…Barredo et al, 2015; Bosso et al, 2013; Brunetti et al, 2019; Buse et al, 2013; Iannella et al, 2019; Urbani et al, 2017), Orthoptera (e.g. Anselmo, 2019; Urbani et al, 2017), and Lepidoptera (e.g. Batalden et al, 2014; Sistri et al, 2021).…”

Ecology and abundance of a relict population of the bush cricket Saga pedo in the Northern Apennines, Italy

“…These habitats range from forest steppes and limestone grikes to abandoned vineyards and slopes with southwestern or western aspects. It also thrives in areas with steppe‐like vegetation featuring open or semi‐open herbaceous‐shrub zones (Anselmo, 2019 ). The species' pronounced thermophily and heliophily lead it to concentrate in xerothermic patches (Galvagni & Prosser, 2004 ; Magistretti & Ruffo, 1959 ; Vergari et al., 2017 ), making it a primary insect indicator of these habitats (Massa et al., 2016 ).…”

“…In the past, it likely had a more uniform distribution (Kaltenbach, 1970 ). In Italy, it is rare (Fontana & Cussigh, 1996 ; Galvagni & Prosser, 2004 ; Massa et al., 2012 ), with only a few known locations in the Northern Apennine (Anselmo, 2019 ; Maioglio & Repetto, 2022 ; Sindaco et al., 2012 ).…”

“…Thus, understanding the ecology of S. pedo studying its habitats is crucial to foster effective conservation strategies for this species. However, to date, ecological studies on S. pedo are limited (Adžić et al., 2023 ; Anselmo, 2019 , 2022 ; Holuša et al., 2013 ) and, due to the strong elusiveness and crypticity of this species, the likelihood of observing it in nature is extremely low, resulting in underestimation of population abundance (Holuša et al., 2013 ).…”