Developing protocols for threatened invertebrates is often challenging, because they are not only rare but also elusive. This is the case with the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), a protected and flagship species for the saproxylic beetle fauna in Europe. We applied a standard transect walk at a European scale (8 countries, 29 transects) to test its practicability and reliability as survey design. A total of 533 sightings were recorded throughout the sampling period, but detection probability changed as the season progressed. Considering the observed activity pattern, occupancy models showed that a short period of three consecutive weeks, between the middle of June and the first week of July, resulted in a high probability of detection (P > 0.7). As time of the peak of activity varies from year to year and between sites, we propose to extend the sampling period to five weekly surveys. Detailed information on the transect characteristics and the optimal time for surveying were analysed. The data indicate that a weekly transect at dusk provides a reliable method for monitoring this species throughout its distributional range. No correlation was found between latitude, longitude and phenology of sightings, however. However, a standard method such as the one presented, allows broadening the scale of monitoring studies, provinding data to evaluate the efficacy of conservation measures. © 2016 The Royal Entomological Societ

Lucanus cervus is one of the most charismatic saproxylic beetles, widely distributed in Europe. The species is typical of mature deciduous forests, especially oak woodlands. Loss and fragmentation of suitable habitats is one of the major threats for this species which is included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Despite several studies carried out in the last years for the monitoring methods of the species, an analytical comparison between them is still lacking.The aims of this paper are (i) to review the current knowledge about systematics, ecology and conservation practices on L. cervus and (ii) to present the research carried out during the Life MIPP project, in order to define a standard monitoring method with a suitable protocol to be used for addressing the obligations of the Habitats Directive. Overall, five methods were tested during three years in two different study areas. Based on these results, a suitable standard method for L. cervus is proposed in this paper and, in order to assess the conservation status of populations and to compare them over time, a simple method for the calculation of a reference value is provided.

""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.. Despite using pheromone and beetle manipulation, capture. histories were not affected by trap-happiness or trapshyness.. Population size estimates varied considerably in. both abundance and precision by capture method. A number. of 0.5 and 0.2 adult beetles per tree was estimated using the. whole data set by closed and open population models,. respectively. Pitfall trap appeared the optimal method to. detect the occurrence of this species. Since in the southern. part of its distribution range, a single population of. O. eremita is widespread in the landscape, and includes. beetles from more than one hollow tree, conservation. efforts should focus not only on preserving few and isolated. monumental hollow trees, but should be extended to. large stands.. Keywords Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Conservation . Dead wood Occupancy Population size estimates . Sex pheromone"

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

Dispersal patterns of a beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), were studied in a cork oak (Quercus suber) woodland in central Italy, the southernmost part of its distribution range. During 2 years, we used radio telemetry to monitor dispersal of 39 free‐ranging individuals (16 males, 23 females). Telemetered beetles spent their lifetime not only inside hollow trees but also in other habitats, such as above or under the ground surface. Beetles were more active at the beginning of the season. Eighty‐one per cent of the males and 69% of the females conducted dispersals during their lifetime. The dispersal distance over individuals' lifetime did not differ between sexes. The longest dispersal was conducted by a female that moved 1504 m. Thirty‐nine per cent of dispersing individuals reached distances farther than 250 m. Both dispersal rate and range are higher than what has been found in Northern Europe. The population size per tree is low, most of the adults leave their natal tree, and a high predation rate (at least 28%) was observed among dispersing beetles. Therefore, to balance the local extinction risk from single trees, a high density of hollow trees is probably required. It is desirable that suitable trees are concentrated at a spatial scale of a few hundred metres.