Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe

Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south-eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north-western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north-eastern France). There are few data from south-eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad-leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining ‘islands’ of nature in urban areas

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) en Europa.¿ La investigación, el control y el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación de especies amenazadas en peligro de extinción están habitualmente confinadas por fronteras nacionales aunque sería más apropiado una perspectiva más global. En este trabajo se recogen datos sobre la presencia de un escarabajo en peligro de extinción, Osmoderma eremita, asociado a huecos de árboles en las 2.142 localidades de 33 regiones de Europa donde se ha encontrado. La larva se desarrolla en los huecos de los árboles y se ha observado pocas veces en troncos muertos en el suelo. Parece ser que O. eremita es capaz de utilizar cualquier especie de árbol siempre que tenga un hueco disponible. Los árboles más utilizados por O. eremita son los robles (Quercus spp.), seguidos del tilo (Tilia spp.), el sauce (Salix spp.), el haya (Fagus sylvatica) y los árboles frutales (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita se encuentra todavía en algún remanente de bosque natural, pero se observa principalmente en tierras que han sido usadas por el hombre como zonas de bosques aclarados, cotos de caza, avenidas, parques urbanos y en árboles alrededor de campos agrícolas y a lo largo del curso de ríos. Parece ser que la presencia de O. eremita ha disminuido en todas las regiones europeas. Las mayores concentraciones de localidades con presencia de O. eremita aparecen en Europa central (norte de Italia, Austria, República Checa, sur de Polonia y Alemania del este), en algunas partes del norte de Europa (sureste de Suecia, Latvia) y en Francia. En algunas regiones del noroeste de Europa, se ha extinguido o puede encontrarse de forma aislada (Noruega, Dinamarca, Países Bajos, Bélgica, noreste de Francia). Hay pocos datos del sureste europeo. Se prevén algunas extinciones locales de O. eremita en un futuro inmediato, especialmente en regiones con una pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat. O. eremita es una especie útil como indicador y paraguas para la preservación de toda la comunidad de invertebrados asociados a los agujeros de árboles en Europa. Un plan de preservación de O. eremita debería incluir tres aspectos que son de importancia general en la conservación de la naturaleza en Europa hoy en día: (1) preservación de los remanentes de bosques naturales con árboles viejos, (2) preservación y restauración de hábitats relacionados con los paisajes agrícolas tradicionales y (3) preservación de las "islas" de naturaleza que se mantienen en áreas urbanas

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in Europe

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe.— Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south–eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north–western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north–eastern France). There are few data from south–eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad–leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining "islands" of nature in urban areas. Key words: Saproxylic, Cavity, Habitat Directive, Pollarding, Bioindicator, Scarabaeoidea

A catalogue of Lithuanian beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera)

This paper presents the first complete and updated list of all 3597 species of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) belonging to 92 families found and published in Lithuania until 2011, with comments also provided on the main systematic and nomenclatural changes since the last monograic treatment (Pileckis and Monsevičius 1995, 1997). The introductory section provides a general overview of the main features of territory of the Lithuania, the origins and formation of the beetle fauna and their conservation, the faunistic investigations in Lithuania to date revealing the most important stages of the faunistic research process with reference to the most prominent scientists, an overview of their work, and their contribution to Lithuanian coleopteran faunal research.Species recorded in Lithuania by some authors without reliable evidence and requiring further confirmation with new data are presented in a separate list, consisting of 183 species. For the first time, analysis of errors in works of Lithuanian authors concerning data on coleopteran fauna has been conducted and these errors have been corrected. All available published and Internet sources on beetles found in Lithuania have been considered in the current study. Over 630 literature sources on species composition of beetles, their distribution in Lithuania and neighbouring countries, and taxonomic revisions and changes are reviewed and cited. An alphabetical list of these literature sources is presented. After revision of public beetle collections in Lithuania, the authors propose to remove 43 species from the beetle species list of the country on the grounds, that they have been wrongly identified or published by mistake. For reasons of clarity, 19 previously noted but later excluded species are included in the current checklist with comments. Based on faunal data from neighbouring countries, species expected to occur in Lithuania are also mentioned. In total 1390 species are attributed to this category and data on their distribution in neighbouring countries is presented. Completion of this study provides evidence that the Lithuanian coleopteran fauna has yet to be completely investigated and it is estimated that approximately 28 % of beetle species remain undiscovered in Lithuania. More than 85% of beetle species expected for Lithuania have been found in the following families: Cerylonidae, Geotrupidae, Haliplidae, Kateridae, Lycidae, Lucanidae, Mycetophagidae, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. In families with few species such as Alexiidae, Boridae, Byturidae, Dascilidae, Drilidae, Eucinetidae, Lampyridae, Lymexilidae, Megalopodidae, Nemonychidae, Nosodendridae, Noteridae, Orsodacnidae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Psephenidae, Rhysodidae, Sphaeritidae, Sphaeriusidae, Sphindidae, Stenotrahelidae and Trogidae, all possible species have already been discovered. However in some beetle families such as Aderidae, Bothrideridae, Eucnemidae, Laemoploeidae, Mordellidae, Ptiliidae, Scraptidae and Throscidae less than 50% of all possible species are known. At present the beetle species recorded in Lithuania belong to 92 families, with species from 9 other families such as Agyrtidae, Biphylidae, Deradontidae, Mycteridae, Ochodaeidae, Phleophilidae, Phloeostichidae, Prostomidae, Trachypachidae are expected to be found.A bibliography and a index of subfamily and genus levels are provided. The information published in the monograph will serve to further faunistic and distribution research of beetles and will help to avoid confusion in the identificatation of coleopteran fauna of Lithuania