Xero-thermophilous and grassland ubiquist species dominate the weevil fauna of Swiss cities (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea)

The phytophagous group of weevils (Curculionoidea) was sampled in the three Swiss cities of Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich. In total, 3448 individuals from 129 species were collected (Lucerne: 64 species; Lugano: 69 species; Zurich: 83 species). The most dominant species were the xero-thermophilous Protapion trifolii and the ubiquist Tychius picirostris. Most of the 13 dominant and subdominant species found in the three cities live on Fabaceae. Species similarity (Soerensen index) was highest between the cities of Lucerne and Zurich, which could be expected since they belong to the same biogeographical region (Midlands). The occurrences of five weevil species that are worthy of note with regard to the Swiss fauna are discussed in detail. For two of the species [long dash] Ceutorhynchus leprieuri and Hypophyes pallidulus [long dash] their capture in Switzerland is only the 2nd confirmed occurrence since they were first reported 87 and 170 years ago, respectively. The sampling of the blind edaphic Ferreria marqueti in urban environments in Lucerne and Zurich confirm that individuals captured in Switzerland are displaced specimens. A further six species were recorded for the first time in the two biogeographical regions of the Midlands and Southern Switzerland. A complete species list is presented.