Rare beetles under the care of naturalists
Photo: Fotolia
Stag beetle, great capricorn beetle and hermit beetle are rare European species of large beetles under strict protection. Some of the most important domestic positions of these insects can be found in the Lubuskie province.
Michał Bielewicz from the Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection in Gorzów Wielkopolski told PAP that specifically to protect the populations of these endangered animals and their habitats, a total of about 10 areas designated in the region have been included in the European ecological network Natura 2000.
"The biggest threats to these species include degradation and progressive loss of their natural habitats, occurring either due to natural processes or as a result of anthropogenic activities. These mainly involve cutting old oak trees, which are the habitats of these beetles" - Bielewicz told PAP.
It turns out that due to the shrinking areas of oak forests, these insects also inhabit oaks growing along the country roads and avenues in towns or villages. The Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection in Gorzów Wielkopolski has developed an action plan designed to protect rare beetles living in biocenosis with oaks.
"An example would be the protection in the Natura 2000 area Dobrosułowskie Forests. In this area, in October we performed procedures including the removal of young trees and shrubs overshadowing the trunks of mature oak trees inhabited by insects, thus ensuring optimum thermals of root crowns of oak trees preferred by the protected invertebrates" - explained Bielewicz.
Naturalists are planning to take care of other valuable habitats of beetles in the region in a similar manner. These habitats are located, among others, in communes Bytnica, Maszewo and Torzym.
Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is one of the largest beetles in Poland. It can reach 7 cm in length. Characteristic are the males of this species. They use their "antlers" in battles over females, who fo not have these weapons. These beetles live in oak forests, feeding mainly on juice of these trees.
Great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo) is larger than stag beetle, but more slender. It is the largest Polish representative of the family of longhorn beetles. Its body length reaches up to 11 cm.
Extremely rare hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), which spends most of his life in tree hollows, reaches a length of 4 cm and is strongly attached to its habitat.
These beetles are protected under the Polish law, as well as the European Habitats Directive.
PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland
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