High-accuracy sampling of saproxylic diversity indicators at regional scales with pheromones: The case of Elater ferrugineus (Coleoptera, Elateridae)

Abstract

The rare beetle Elater ferrugineus was sampled at 47 sites in the county of Ostergotland, Sweden by means of pheromone-baited traps to assess its value as an indicator species for hollow oak stands rich in rare saproxylic beetle species. In addition, Osmoderma eremita was also sampled with pheromone baits. These data were then compared against species survey data collected at the same sites by pitfall and window traps. Both species co-occur with many Red Listed saproxylic beetles, with E. ferrugineus being a some-what better indicator for the rarest species. The conservation value of a site (measured as Red List points or number of Red Listed species) increased with the number of specimens of E. ferrugineus and O. eremita caught. Accuracy of sampling by means of pheromone trapping turned out to be radically different for the two model species. E. ferrugineus traps put out during July obtained full accuracy after only 6 days, whereas O. eremita traps needed to be out from early July to mid-August in order to obtain full accuracy with one trap per site. By using E. ferrugineus, or preferably both species, as indicator species, accuracy would increase and costs decrease for saproxylic biodiversity sampling, monitoring and identification of hotspots. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Beetles; Conservation; Indicators; Monitoring; Pheromone; Saproxylic

Published in

Biological Conservation
2014, volume: 171, pages: 156-166
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Burman, Jospeh

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Winde, Inis

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Larsson, Mattias

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Milberg, Per

  • Linköping University

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Zoology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.007

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/59773