Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a po... more Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a positive allometric relationship with the overall body size. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Romiti et al. (pp. 1193-1204) explore the allometry of mandibles and their supporting structure, the head, in males of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus. The authors describe two morphological size classes and show that selection favors intrasexual dimorphism in this species through a trade-off mechanism between costs and benefits of carrying exaggerated traits.
To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucan... more To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), a comparison between visual encounter surveys (VES) versus odour-based capture methods, such as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps, was carried out in an old-growth chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy. During the summer 2012, overall were marked 136 adult individuals (111males, 25 females), and VES resulted the best method by which were registered the higher number of capture events, for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). Stag beetles were not significantly attracted by tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The capture-mark-recapture method resulted applicable to evaluate stag beetle population parameters and to assess the status of this emblematic species, although it required a substantial sampling effort. The body size (as a function of sex, body weight and elytron l...
L’ecologia di Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), un coleottero scarabeide saproxilico di grande t... more L’ecologia di Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), un coleottero scarabeide saproxilico di grande taglia, protetto dalla Direttiva Habitat, è stata studiata approfonditamente su popolazioni dell’Europa settentrionale, soprattutto in Svezia (Ranius et al., 2005, 2009; Hedin et al., 2008; Svensson et al., 2009) al fine di raccogliere informazioni utili per la sua conservazione. Più recentemente, sono iniziate ricerche a lungo termine sulle popolazioni italiane, le più meridionali note per la specie in senso stretto (Audisio et al. 2009; Carpaneto et al., 2010; Chiari et al., 2012a, 2012b, 2013). A partire dal 2009 è iniziato un campionamento non-invasivo finalizzato a rilevare la presenza della specie nel Lazio e raccogliere informazioni sull’abbondanza delle sue popolazioni, sulla capacità di dispersione e sulla scelta dei siti di riproduzione. Il campionamento ha utilizzato diversi modelli di trappole a caduta e a intercettazione, con o senza feromoni attrattivi. Ciò ha permesso di se...
To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucan... more To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), a comparison between visual encounter surveys (VES) versus odour-based capture methods, such as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps, was carried out in an old-growth chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy. During the summer 2012, overall were marked 136 adult individuals (111males, 25 females), and VES resulted the best method by which were registered the higher number of capture events, for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). Stag beetles were not significantly attracted by tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The capture-mark-recapture method resulted applicable to evaluate stag beetle population parameters and to assess the status of this emblematic species, although it required a substantial sampling effort. The body size (as a function of sex, body weight and elytron l...
The stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a flagship species for biological conservati... more The stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a flagship species for biological conservation in Europe. Standard monitoring protocols are necessary for assessing the conservation status of this emblematic species, as required by the Habitat Directive. We compared visual encounter surveys (VES) versus two odour-based capture methods (aerial and pitfall traps). Fieldwork was conducted during the summer 2012 in a chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland of northern Italy. Overall, we captured 136 adults (111 males, 25 females). VES allowed most of the captures events for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). In contrast, beetles were not significantly attracted by any of the tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by wild boars (Sus scrofa). Hence, collection of adult beetles, dead or alive, by VES results the optimal way to monitor this species. As flying males were the most frequently observed individuals during the season, the use of a long handled entomological net ...
The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a European saproxylic beetle living in cavities of old broadlea... more The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a European saproxylic beetle living in cavities of old broadleaf trees, was studied in central Italy, at the southernmost limit of its distributional range. Predictors reflecting habitat microclimate, resource amount and quality, have been registered during 2010 in two pasture woodlands characterized by different tree composition and density, and situated at different altitudes. The occurrence of adults, larvae and fragments was investigated in 151 and 170 living hollow trees by pitfall trapping and sampling wood mould in the hollow, respectively. Overall, O. eremita was present in 22% of the trees, which belonged to four different tree species (Ostrya carpinifolia, Quercus suber, Acer obtusatum, and Quercus pubescens). There was only a tendency to a positive association between occurrences observed with pitfall trapping and wood mould sampling. The frequency of presence in wood mould samples was higher where the wood mould was dry or half-moist, an...
Dispersal patterns of a flying saproxylic beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita, were... more Dispersal patterns of a flying saproxylic beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita, were monitored radio-telemetrically for two years. The study was conducted in a cork oak (Quercus suber) pasture woodland in central Italy, at the southernmost limit of its distribution range. Thirty nine free-ranging individuals (16 males, 23 females) were radio tracked. Telemetered beetles spent about 80% of the tracking period on or inside hollow trees and 20% in other habitats, such as above or under the ground surface. This is the first time that O. eremita has been found on and under the ground outside any hollow tree. Beetles were more active at the beginning of the season. Most of the telemetered individuals, 81% of males and 69% of females, conducted dispersals during their lifetime. The longest dispersal was conducted by a female that moved 1504 m, and 39% of dispersing individuals reached distances farther than 250 m. The distribution of O. eremita dispersal distances over individ...
Sampling rare species is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and obta... more Sampling rare species is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and obtaining reliable population size estimates is not straightforward, as different sampling techniques can give misleading results. A mark-recapture study of the rare saproxylic beetle Osmoderma eremita has been performed in central Italy, the southernmost part of its distributional range. The study area was an open pasture woodland dominated by the hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), and four capture methods were applied on 116 hollow trees to assess their detection probabilities and the reliability that they provide for population size estimates. The capture methods were consistently poor in detecting O. eremita, and occupancy probabilities were influenced by the sampling method. Despite the use of the specific sex pheromone and manipulation of the beetles, the capture histories were not affected by phenomena of trap-happiness or trap-shyness. Population size estimates differed in abundance...
Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a po... more Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a positive allometric relationship with the overall body size. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Romiti et al. (pp. 1193-1204) explore the allometry of mandibles and their supporting structure, the head, in males of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus. The authors describe two morphological size classes and show that selection favors intrasexual dimorphism in this species through a trade-off mechanism between costs and benefits of carrying exaggerated traits.
During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities at Monte Baldo (Veneto, Verona ... more During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities at Monte Baldo (Veneto, Verona province), two specimens of Epuraea deubeli Reitter, 1898 (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) were recently collected. It is the first known sure record of this species in Italy (previously known from Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, southwards to Austria, and from Western Siberia).
ABSTRACT Pheromone-based monitoring could be a very efficient method to assess the conservation s... more ABSTRACT Pheromone-based monitoring could be a very efficient method to assess the conservation status of rare and elusive insect species, but there are still few studies for which pheromone traps have been used to obtain information on presence, abundance, phenology and movements of such insects. We performed a mark-recapture study of two threatened saproxylic beetles, Osmoderma eremita (Scarabaeidae) and its predator Elater ferrugineus (Elateridae), in two beech forests of central Italy using pheromone baited window traps and unbaited pitfall traps. Two lures were used: (1) the male-produced sex pheromone of O. eremita (racemic γ-decalactone) to attract females of both species, and (2) the female-produced sex pheromone of E. ferrugineus (7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate), to attract conspecific males. In total, 13 O. eremita and 1,247 E. ferrugineus individuals were trapped. For E. ferrugineus, males were detected earlier than females, and 7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate was much more efficient lure compared to racemic γ-decalactone in detecting its presence. The population size at the two sites were estimated to 520 and 1,369 individuals, respectively. Our model suggests a sampling effort of ten traps checked for 3 days being sufficient to detect the presence of E. ferrugineus at a given site. The distribution of dispersal distances for the predator was best described by the negative exponential function with 1 % of the individuals dispersing farther than 1,600 m from their natal site. In contrast to studies on these beetles in Northern Europe, the activity pattern of the two beetle species was not influenced by variation in temperature during the season.
A capture-mark-recapture study on the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus was carried out... more A capture-mark-recapture study on the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus was carried out in a chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy, using visual encounter surveys (VES) as well as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps (PT), both of which were baited with different odour lures. In total, 111 males and 25 females were captured, and VES was by far the most efficient method, accounting for 93 % of first captures, and 95 % of all captures. Stag beetles were not significantly attracted to any tested odour, and many PT were damaged by wild boars (Sus scrofa). Flying males were the most frequent adults observed during the season. The use of a net is necessary to capture the stag beetles, in order to evaluate the population parameters and to assess the local status of threat for the species. Capture data revealed that body size (i.e. body weight and elytron length) influences the survival probability of stag beetles, showing a lower survival probability for larger males. Felt-tip pen marking on the ventral sclerites of head and pronotum is a reliable and long lasting method for marking beetles, as proved by the use of an independent marking procedure with a small drill. Assessing the presence and threat status of L. cervus across Europe is urgently needed, and with no efficient odour-based strategy available, collection of adult beetles, dead or alive, by VES is the most reliable way to monitor this emblematic species.
Measuring population size is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and ... more Measuring population size is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and in the case of rare species, it is sometimes practically impossible to estimate abundance, whereas estimation of occupancy is possible. Furthermore, obtaining reliable population size estimates is not straightforward, as different sampling techniques can give misleading results. A mark-recapture study of the endangered saproxylic beetle Osmoderma eremita was performed in central Italy by applying four independent capture methods within a study area where 116 hollow trees were randomly selected to set traps. Detection probability and population size estimates were drawn from each of these four capture methods. There were strong differences in detection probability among methods.
ABSTRACT 1. Interactions between larvae of one of the most charismatic and threatened saproxylic ... more ABSTRACT 1. Interactions between larvae of one of the most charismatic and threatened saproxylic beetles, Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), and other flower chafer species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) were investigated by taking samples of wood mould, i.e. loose material inside the cavity, from 151 living hollow trees in two Mediterranean woodlands during August 2010. 2. Multi-species occupancy models estimate low occupancy probabilities for both O. eremita (w � SE = 0.36 � 0.13) and other flower chafer species (0.42 � 0.06), which showed similar microhabitat requirements without competing. 3. In cavities where larvae of both groups were present, the probability of detecting O. eremita during the sieving of 2 l of wood mould was not affected by whether larvae of other flower chafers occur in the same sample and vice versa. 4. Unexpectedly, larvae of O. eremita were detected with a higher probability when larvae of other flower chafers occurred in the cavity. 5. Model selection statistics strongly support that increasing the sampled volume of wood mould increases the probability of detecting larvae, especially for O. eremita. 6. Wood mould sampling resulted in a reliable method for detecting the presence of O. eremita larvae, but further studies are needed to investigate the potential damage caused by this procedure in the fragile microhabitat of tree cavities. 7. To preserve populations of O. eremita and other flower chafers, management actions should be focused on increasing the density of hollow trees and the volume of tree cavities by favouring the natural ageing of trees and by creating artificial habitats in living trees.
Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a po... more Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a positive allometric relationship with the overall body size. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Romiti et al. (pp. 1193-1204) explore the allometry of mandibles and their supporting structure, the head, in males of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus. The authors describe two morphological size classes and show that selection favors intrasexual dimorphism in this species through a trade-off mechanism between costs and benefits of carrying exaggerated traits.
To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucan... more To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), a comparison between visual encounter surveys (VES) versus odour-based capture methods, such as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps, was carried out in an old-growth chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy. During the summer 2012, overall were marked 136 adult individuals (111males, 25 females), and VES resulted the best method by which were registered the higher number of capture events, for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). Stag beetles were not significantly attracted by tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The capture-mark-recapture method resulted applicable to evaluate stag beetle population parameters and to assess the status of this emblematic species, although it required a substantial sampling effort. The body size (as a function of sex, body weight and elytron l...
L’ecologia di Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), un coleottero scarabeide saproxilico di grande t... more L’ecologia di Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), un coleottero scarabeide saproxilico di grande taglia, protetto dalla Direttiva Habitat, è stata studiata approfonditamente su popolazioni dell’Europa settentrionale, soprattutto in Svezia (Ranius et al., 2005, 2009; Hedin et al., 2008; Svensson et al., 2009) al fine di raccogliere informazioni utili per la sua conservazione. Più recentemente, sono iniziate ricerche a lungo termine sulle popolazioni italiane, le più meridionali note per la specie in senso stretto (Audisio et al. 2009; Carpaneto et al., 2010; Chiari et al., 2012a, 2012b, 2013). A partire dal 2009 è iniziato un campionamento non-invasivo finalizzato a rilevare la presenza della specie nel Lazio e raccogliere informazioni sull’abbondanza delle sue popolazioni, sulla capacità di dispersione e sulla scelta dei siti di riproduzione. Il campionamento ha utilizzato diversi modelli di trappole a caduta e a intercettazione, con o senza feromoni attrattivi. Ciò ha permesso di se...
To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucan... more To monitor presence, abundance and survival probability of the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), a comparison between visual encounter surveys (VES) versus odour-based capture methods, such as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps, was carried out in an old-growth chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy. During the summer 2012, overall were marked 136 adult individuals (111males, 25 females), and VES resulted the best method by which were registered the higher number of capture events, for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). Stag beetles were not significantly attracted by tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The capture-mark-recapture method resulted applicable to evaluate stag beetle population parameters and to assess the status of this emblematic species, although it required a substantial sampling effort. The body size (as a function of sex, body weight and elytron l...
The stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a flagship species for biological conservati... more The stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a flagship species for biological conservation in Europe. Standard monitoring protocols are necessary for assessing the conservation status of this emblematic species, as required by the Habitat Directive. We compared visual encounter surveys (VES) versus two odour-based capture methods (aerial and pitfall traps). Fieldwork was conducted during the summer 2012 in a chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland of northern Italy. Overall, we captured 136 adults (111 males, 25 females). VES allowed most of the captures events for both males (116/126) and females (25/27). In contrast, beetles were not significantly attracted by any of the tested odours and many pitfall traps were damaged by wild boars (Sus scrofa). Hence, collection of adult beetles, dead or alive, by VES results the optimal way to monitor this species. As flying males were the most frequently observed individuals during the season, the use of a long handled entomological net ...
The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a European saproxylic beetle living in cavities of old broadlea... more The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a European saproxylic beetle living in cavities of old broadleaf trees, was studied in central Italy, at the southernmost limit of its distributional range. Predictors reflecting habitat microclimate, resource amount and quality, have been registered during 2010 in two pasture woodlands characterized by different tree composition and density, and situated at different altitudes. The occurrence of adults, larvae and fragments was investigated in 151 and 170 living hollow trees by pitfall trapping and sampling wood mould in the hollow, respectively. Overall, O. eremita was present in 22% of the trees, which belonged to four different tree species (Ostrya carpinifolia, Quercus suber, Acer obtusatum, and Quercus pubescens). There was only a tendency to a positive association between occurrences observed with pitfall trapping and wood mould sampling. The frequency of presence in wood mould samples was higher where the wood mould was dry or half-moist, an...
Dispersal patterns of a flying saproxylic beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita, were... more Dispersal patterns of a flying saproxylic beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita, were monitored radio-telemetrically for two years. The study was conducted in a cork oak (Quercus suber) pasture woodland in central Italy, at the southernmost limit of its distribution range. Thirty nine free-ranging individuals (16 males, 23 females) were radio tracked. Telemetered beetles spent about 80% of the tracking period on or inside hollow trees and 20% in other habitats, such as above or under the ground surface. This is the first time that O. eremita has been found on and under the ground outside any hollow tree. Beetles were more active at the beginning of the season. Most of the telemetered individuals, 81% of males and 69% of females, conducted dispersals during their lifetime. The longest dispersal was conducted by a female that moved 1504 m, and 39% of dispersing individuals reached distances farther than 250 m. The distribution of O. eremita dispersal distances over individ...
Sampling rare species is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and obta... more Sampling rare species is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and obtaining reliable population size estimates is not straightforward, as different sampling techniques can give misleading results. A mark-recapture study of the rare saproxylic beetle Osmoderma eremita has been performed in central Italy, the southernmost part of its distributional range. The study area was an open pasture woodland dominated by the hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), and four capture methods were applied on 116 hollow trees to assess their detection probabilities and the reliability that they provide for population size estimates. The capture methods were consistently poor in detecting O. eremita, and occupancy probabilities were influenced by the sampling method. Despite the use of the specific sex pheromone and manipulation of the beetles, the capture histories were not affected by phenomena of trap-happiness or trap-shyness. Population size estimates differed in abundance...
Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a po... more Cover illustration. Enlarged weapons and ornamental traits under sexual selection often show a positive allometric relationship with the overall body size. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Romiti et al. (pp. 1193-1204) explore the allometry of mandibles and their supporting structure, the head, in males of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus. The authors describe two morphological size classes and show that selection favors intrasexual dimorphism in this species through a trade-off mechanism between costs and benefits of carrying exaggerated traits.
During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities at Monte Baldo (Veneto, Verona ... more During ecological investigations on saproxylic beetle communities at Monte Baldo (Veneto, Verona province), two specimens of Epuraea deubeli Reitter, 1898 (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) were recently collected. It is the first known sure record of this species in Italy (previously known from Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, southwards to Austria, and from Western Siberia).
ABSTRACT Pheromone-based monitoring could be a very efficient method to assess the conservation s... more ABSTRACT Pheromone-based monitoring could be a very efficient method to assess the conservation status of rare and elusive insect species, but there are still few studies for which pheromone traps have been used to obtain information on presence, abundance, phenology and movements of such insects. We performed a mark-recapture study of two threatened saproxylic beetles, Osmoderma eremita (Scarabaeidae) and its predator Elater ferrugineus (Elateridae), in two beech forests of central Italy using pheromone baited window traps and unbaited pitfall traps. Two lures were used: (1) the male-produced sex pheromone of O. eremita (racemic γ-decalactone) to attract females of both species, and (2) the female-produced sex pheromone of E. ferrugineus (7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate), to attract conspecific males. In total, 13 O. eremita and 1,247 E. ferrugineus individuals were trapped. For E. ferrugineus, males were detected earlier than females, and 7-methyloctyl (Z)-4-decenoate was much more efficient lure compared to racemic γ-decalactone in detecting its presence. The population size at the two sites were estimated to 520 and 1,369 individuals, respectively. Our model suggests a sampling effort of ten traps checked for 3 days being sufficient to detect the presence of E. ferrugineus at a given site. The distribution of dispersal distances for the predator was best described by the negative exponential function with 1 % of the individuals dispersing farther than 1,600 m from their natal site. In contrast to studies on these beetles in Northern Europe, the activity pattern of the two beetle species was not influenced by variation in temperature during the season.
A capture-mark-recapture study on the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus was carried out... more A capture-mark-recapture study on the threatened saproxylic beetle Lucanus cervus was carried out in a chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland located in northern Italy, using visual encounter surveys (VES) as well as aerial flight interception traps and pitfall traps (PT), both of which were baited with different odour lures. In total, 111 males and 25 females were captured, and VES was by far the most efficient method, accounting for 93 % of first captures, and 95 % of all captures. Stag beetles were not significantly attracted to any tested odour, and many PT were damaged by wild boars (Sus scrofa). Flying males were the most frequent adults observed during the season. The use of a net is necessary to capture the stag beetles, in order to evaluate the population parameters and to assess the local status of threat for the species. Capture data revealed that body size (i.e. body weight and elytron length) influences the survival probability of stag beetles, showing a lower survival probability for larger males. Felt-tip pen marking on the ventral sclerites of head and pronotum is a reliable and long lasting method for marking beetles, as proved by the use of an independent marking procedure with a small drill. Assessing the presence and threat status of L. cervus across Europe is urgently needed, and with no efficient odour-based strategy available, collection of adult beetles, dead or alive, by VES is the most reliable way to monitor this emblematic species.
Measuring population size is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and ... more Measuring population size is riddled with difficulties for wildlife biologists and managers, and in the case of rare species, it is sometimes practically impossible to estimate abundance, whereas estimation of occupancy is possible. Furthermore, obtaining reliable population size estimates is not straightforward, as different sampling techniques can give misleading results. A mark-recapture study of the endangered saproxylic beetle Osmoderma eremita was performed in central Italy by applying four independent capture methods within a study area where 116 hollow trees were randomly selected to set traps. Detection probability and population size estimates were drawn from each of these four capture methods. There were strong differences in detection probability among methods.
ABSTRACT 1. Interactions between larvae of one of the most charismatic and threatened saproxylic ... more ABSTRACT 1. Interactions between larvae of one of the most charismatic and threatened saproxylic beetles, Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), and other flower chafer species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) were investigated by taking samples of wood mould, i.e. loose material inside the cavity, from 151 living hollow trees in two Mediterranean woodlands during August 2010. 2. Multi-species occupancy models estimate low occupancy probabilities for both O. eremita (w � SE = 0.36 � 0.13) and other flower chafer species (0.42 � 0.06), which showed similar microhabitat requirements without competing. 3. In cavities where larvae of both groups were present, the probability of detecting O. eremita during the sieving of 2 l of wood mould was not affected by whether larvae of other flower chafers occur in the same sample and vice versa. 4. Unexpectedly, larvae of O. eremita were detected with a higher probability when larvae of other flower chafers occurred in the cavity. 5. Model selection statistics strongly support that increasing the sampled volume of wood mould increases the probability of detecting larvae, especially for O. eremita. 6. Wood mould sampling resulted in a reliable method for detecting the presence of O. eremita larvae, but further studies are needed to investigate the potential damage caused by this procedure in the fragile microhabitat of tree cavities. 7. To preserve populations of O. eremita and other flower chafers, management actions should be focused on increasing the density of hollow trees and the volume of tree cavities by favouring the natural ageing of trees and by creating artificial habitats in living trees.
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