Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763)(Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe: a short summary of pan-European project

Abstract

We are 28 co-authors representing 25 European countries, who have collected data on a threatened beetle associated with tree hollows. Osmoderma eremita (SCOPOLI, 1763) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). This project has arisen from our own initiative, based on the belief that entomology and nature conservation would do better with stronger co-operation between professional and amateur entomologists from all European countries. Totally, we found records from 2,141 localities in 34 countries. O. eremita seems to have decreased in all countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and Eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south-eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north-western Europe, the species has become extinct or occurs only in some single localities. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe.