Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Habitat description and interannual variation in abundance and phenology of the endangered beetle Lucanus cervus L. (Coleoptera) using citizen science monitoring

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Journal of Insect Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Conservation of threatened saproxylic beetles, which are often elusive, faces the problem of efficient monitoring. Lack of standard monitoring protocols has hindered the much needed assessment of temporal trends in phenology and abundance of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, and the development of landscape ecology studies. Our main objective was to illustrate how transects at dusk, implemented by means of citizen science projects, could provide reliable information on habitat characterization and population trends in the stag beetle. Abundance and phenology was studied in a longitudinal study during 7 years in E Spain. Habitat characterization was studied in a transversal study in N Spain. Our longitudinal study detected between-year variation in phenology (up to 4 weeks in peak activity) and abundance (twofold among maxima and minima recorded). In addition, both our longitudinal and transversal studies detected variation among sites in abundance, that was related to rainfall in the previous winter. In this sense, transects at dusk were a suitable monitoring method. Abundance variation could not be related to habitat variables. Nevertheless, we provide one of the few descriptions available of stag beetle habitat at scales of tens to hundreds of meters. Forest was the dominant vegetation in a 25 m buffer around the transects. However, open natural vegetation prevailed in a 1000 m buffer around the transects, indicating strong habitat fragmentation. We conclude that transects at dusk are easily implemented in citizen science projects and provide much needed information about temporal trends in abundance, phenology and habitat description of stag beetles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Álvarez Laó CM, Álvarez Laó DJ (1995) Análisis de la mortalidad de ciervos volantes Lucanus cervus en carreteras asturianas. Bol Cien Nat RIDEA 43:15–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Araya K (1993) Relationship between the decay types of dead wood and occurrence of lucanid beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Appl Entomol Zool 28:27–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bardiani M, Tini M, Carpaneto GM, Audisio P, Bussola E, Campanaro A, Cini A, Maurizi E, Mason F, Peverieri GS, Roversi PF, Toni I, Chiari S (2017) Effects of trap baits and height on stag beetle and flower chafer monitoring: ecological and conservation implications. J Insect Conserv 21:157–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breitenmoser S (2013) Etude de populations de Lucane cerf-volant Lucanus cervus (L. 1758) (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) en zone périurbane à Rolle (VD) de 2007 à 2012. Entomo Helvetica 6:49–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Campanaro A, Toni I, Hardersen S, Grasso DA (2011) Monitoring of Lucanus cervus by means of remains of predation (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Entomol Gen 33:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campanaro A, Zapponi L, Hardersen S, Méndez M, Al Fulaij N, Audisio P, Bardiani M, Carpaneto GM, Corezzola S, Della Rocca F, Harvey D, Hawes CH, Kadej M, Karg J, Minari E, Rink M, Smolis A, Sprecher E, Thomaes A, Toni I, Vrezec A, Zauli A, Zilioli M, Chiari S (2016) A European monitoring protocol for the stag beetle, a saproxylic flagship species. Insect Conserv Divers 9:574–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiari S, Bardiani M, Zauli A, Hardersen S, Mason F, Spada L, Campanaro A (2013) Monitoring of the saproxylic beetle Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with freshly cut log piles. J Insect Conserv 17:1255–1265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiari S, Zauli A, Audisio P, Campanaro A, Donzelli PF, Romiti F, Svensson GP, Tini M, Carpaneto GM (2014) Monitoring presence, abundance and survival probability of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, using visual and odour-based capture methods: implications for conservation. J Insect Conserv 18:99–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Della Rocca F, Bogliani G, Milanesi P (2017) Patterns of distribution and landscape connectivity of the stag beetle in a human-dominated landscape. Nature Conserv 19:19–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devictor V, Whittaker RJ, Beltrame C (2010) Beyond scarcity: citizen science programmes as useful tools for conservation biogeography. Divers Distrib 6:354–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson JL, Shirk J, Bonter D, Bonney R, Crain RL, Martin J, Phillips T, Purcell K (2012) The current state of citizen science as a tool for ecological research and public engagement. Front Ecol Environ 10:291–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fremlin M (2009) Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus, (L., 1758), Lucanidae) urban behaviour. In: Buse J, Alexander KNA, Ranius T, Assmann T (eds) Proceedings of the 5th Symposyum and workshop on the conservation of saproxylic beetles. Pensoft, Sofia-Moscow, pp 161–176

  • Fremlin M, Fremlin D (2010) Weather-dependence of Lucanus cervus L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) activity in a Colchester urban area. Essex Nat NS 27:214–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Fremlin M, Hendriks P (2011) Sugaring for stag beetles—different feeding strategies of Lucanus cervus and Dorcus parallelipipedus. Bull Amateur Entomol Soc 70:57–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey DJ, Hawes CJ, Gange AC, Finch P, Chesmore D, Farr I (2011) Development of non-invasive monitoring methods for larvae and adults of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus. Insect Conserv Divers 4:4–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawes CJ (2005) The stag beetle Lucanus cervus (L.) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in the county of Suffolk (England): distribution and monitoring. Proc 3rd Symp Workshop Conserv Sapr Beetles Riga/Latvia, 07th–11th July, 2004:51–67

  • Hawes CJ (2008) The stag beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae): a mark-release-recapture study undertaken in one United Kingdom residential garden. Rev Ecol Terre Vie suppl 10:139–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawes CJ (2013) Response of stag beetle larvae (Lucanus cervus L.) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) to watter-logged soils and flooding. White Admiral 86:11–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoekstra B (1997) Een populatie van het vliegend hert, Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Twente [A population of stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Twente]. Entomol Ber 57:93–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Horák J (2010) Roháč obecný (Lucanus cervus) v Pardubickém kraji: historie, současný stav a ohroženost [Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) in Pardubice region: a history, recent status and threats]. Vč sb Pŕir - Práce a studie 17:177–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Lachat T, Wermelinger B, Gossner MM, Bussler H, Isacsson G, Müller J (2012) Saproxylic beetles as indicator species for dead-wood amount and temperature in European beech forests. Ecol Indic 23:323–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson M, Svensson GP (2009) Pheromone monitoring of rare and threatened insects: exploiting a pheromone-kairomone system to estimate prey and predator abundance. Conserv Biol 28:1516–1525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald-Madden E, Baxter PWJ, Fuller RA, Martin TG, Game ET, Montambault J, Possingham HP (2010) Monitoring does not always count. Trends Ecol Evol 25:547–550

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meggs JM, Munks SA (2003) Distribution, habitat characteristics and conservation requirements of a forest-dependent threatened invertebrate Lissotes latidens (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). J Insect Conserv 7:137–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti M, Sprecher-Uebersax E (2004) Über das Vorkommen des Hirschkäfers Lucanus cervus. L. (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) im Tessin: Eine Umfrage im Sommer 2003. Mitt Entomol Ges Basel 54:75–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols JD, Williams BK (2006) Monitoring for conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 21:668–673

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palm T (1959) Die Holz- und Rinden-Käfer der Süd- und Mittelschwedischen Laubbäume. Opuscula Entomologica Suppl 16

  • Percy C, Bassford G, Keeble V, Robb C (2000) Findings of the 1998 national stag beetle survey. PTES, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Proyecto Ciervo Volante (1995) Proyecto ciervo volante. Bol SEA 11:41–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Rink M, Sinsch U (2006) Habitatpräferenzen des Hirschkäfers Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) in der Kulturlandschaft—eine methodenkritische analyse (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Entomol Z 116:228–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Rink M, Sinsch U (2007) Radio-telemetric monitoring of dispersing stag beetles: implications for conservation. J Zool 272:235–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rink M, Sinsch U (2008a) Bruthabitat und Larvalentwicklung des Hirschkäfers Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Entomol Z 118:229–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Rink M, Sinsch U (2008b) Geschlechtsspezifisches Fortpflanzungsverhalten des Hirschkäfers (Lucanus cervus). Mainzer naturwiss Arch 46:195–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Rink M, Sinsch U (2011) Warm summers negatively affect duration of activity period and condition of adult stag beetles (Lucanus cervus). Insect Conserv Divers 4:15–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scaccini D, Anaclerio M (2016) Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) sampling during its flight period in Northern Italy: data from an ongoing survey in an oak forest. Bull Soc r Belg Entomol 152:163–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith MN (2003) National stag beetle survey 2002. PTES, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith MN (2011) Great stag hunt III: national stag beetle survey 2006–2007. PTES, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprecher-Uebersax E (2001) Studien zur Biologie und Phänologie des Hirschkäfers im Raum Basel, mit Empfehlungen fon Schutzmassnahmen zur Erhaltung und Förderung des Bestandes in der Region (Coleoptera: Lucanidae, Lucanus cervus L.). Dissertation, University of Basel

  • Sprecher-Uebersax E, Durrer H (1998) Über das Vorkommen der Hirschkäfer in der Region Basel. Mitt Entomol Ges Basel 48:142–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomaes A, Kervyn T, Maes D (2008) Applying species distribution modelling for the conservation of the threatened saproxylic stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). Biol Conserv 141:1400–1410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tochtermann E (1992) Neue biologische fakten und probemtaktik der Hirschkäferförderung. Allg Fort Zeitschrift 6:308–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Vrezec A, Kapla A (2007) Kvantitativno vzorčenje hroščev (Coleoptera) v Sloveniji: referenčna študija [Quantitative beetle (Coleoptera) sampling in Slovenia: a reference study]. Acta Entomol Slov 15:131–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Vrezec A, Ambrožič Š, Kapla A (2012) An overview of sampling methods tests for monitoring schemes of saproxylic beetles in the scope of Natura 2000 in Slovenia. Stud For Slov 137:73–90

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the high school teacher Rodrigo Pérez and the students Jorge Agustín, Chabier de Jaime Jr., Jorge Falcón, Laura Malo, Elena Agustín, Alicia Benhamou, Miguel Cebrián, Álvaro Franco, Sara Marzo, Jorge Alvés, Diego Cebrián, Javier Colás and Vera Nogueira for their collaboration on the longitudinal study at Calamocha, and Gustavo Gutiérrez Fernández for his support and contribution to the transversal study in Cantabria. We thank Jakub Horák for additional information about his study in the Czech Republic and Maria Fremlin and Al Vrezec for useful literature, and two anonymous reviewers for insightful comments to a previous version of this manuscript. Special thanks are due to Maria Fremlin for her keen comments and revision of the English.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n., 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Marcos Méndez

  2. Depto. Biología y Geología, IES Valle del Jiloca, Avda. Zaragoza 42, 44200, Calamocha, Teruel, Spain

    Chabier de Jaime

  3. c/ Luis Buñuel 129A, 39011, Santander, Spain

    Manuel A. Alcántara

Authors
  1. Marcos Méndez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chabier de Jaime
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manuel A. Alcántara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcos Méndez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Méndez, M., de Jaime, C. & Alcántara, M.A. Habitat description and interannual variation in abundance and phenology of the endangered beetle Lucanus cervus L. (Coleoptera) using citizen science monitoring. J Insect Conserv 21, 907–915 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-017-0030-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-017-0030-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation