Surrogate tree cavities: boxes with artificial substrate can serve as temporary habitat for Osmoderma barnabita (Motsch.) (Coleoptera, Cetoniinae)

Abstract

Many saproxylic insects have declined or became extinct, mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and their survival increasingly depends on active conservation. Efforts to achieve this goal may be supported by the introduction of new methods, including creation of artificial habitats. Here we present results of studies on the use of wooden boxes mimicking tree cavities for an endangered saproxylic species, Osmoderma barnabita. Boxes were filled with the feeding substrate for larvae and installed on trees. Second and third-instar O. barnabita larvae were introduced in half of the boxes; the remaining ones were left uninhabited. Later inspection of boxes showed a high survival rate of introduced larvae, as well as successful breeding of a new generation inside the boxes. At the same time boxes were not colonized by the local population of O. barnabita, although other cetoniids did so. The co-occurring larvae of other cetoniids did not affect O. barnabita larvae. Thermal conditions inside boxes and natural tree cavities were almost identical and based on the results of our studies we conclude that wooden boxes may serve as temporary habitat for O. barnabita. They may be particularly useful in cases of destruction of species' natural habitat, in restoration programs, and have the potential to act as a 'stepping stones' in cases of a lack of habitat continuity.

Boxing for biodiversity: evaluation of an artificially created decaying wood habitat

“…Management practices have been devised in many countries to promote the formation of hollows in trees (Fritz & Heilmann-Clausen 2010, Sebek et al 2013 or create compensatory habitats, such as artificial hollows (Jansson et al 2009a, Goldingay et al 2009). Wooden boxes filled with suitable substrates can function as habitats for saproxylic invertebrates (Jansson et al 2009a, Hilszczański et al 2014. Although these boxes attract and harbour saproxylic beetles during the first few years of deployment, their durability over time remains unknown.…”

Guidelines for the monitoring of Osmoderma eremita and closely related species

“…Successful colonisation and breeding of the hermit beetle was obtained in an artificial habitat i.e. wooden boxes filled with oak leaves and sawdust, placed in natural conditions in Sweden and Poland (Jansson et al 2009, Hilszczański et al 2014, Carlsson et al 2016.…”

Linee Guida per il monitoraggio dei coleotteri saproxilici protetti in Europa

“…Il numero di larve e di resti è risultato più alto nelle cavità con più di 4 litri di detriti legnosi, dove questi erano relativamente asciutti e con bassa contaminazione da parte del suolo. La colonizzazione e il successo riproduttivo di habitat artificiali impiantati in natura, precisamente di cassette nido riempite di foglie morte e segatura, sono stati ottenuti in Svezia e Polonia (Jansson et al 2009, Hilszczański et al 2014, Carlsson et al 2016.…”