Biology and conservation of the European stag beetle: recent advances and lessons learned

Abstract

Reliable information for the conservation of many insects is lacking due to a poor knowledge of their ecology. Here, we review the biological knowledge about the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), in which recent advances are improving the basis for successful conservation. A review of the biological and ecological literature about this species identified an exponential increase in both total and peer‐reviewed articles after Natura 2000 regulations. Recent progress in the last two decades has been made in solving taxonomic problems, as well as in habitat description through radiotelemetry and habitat models. Dependence on large old‐growth forest has given place to a more complex picture of habitat use along the distribution range of this species. Monitoring protocols have been developed that will allow to assess conservation status and actual decline. Stag beetle conservation would benefit from a better understanding of larval demography, quantification of microhabitat requirements, landscape genetics and quantification of historical and current threats. Lessons learned include the need to solve taxonomic problems and to target methodological bottlenecks. The stag beetle is one of the few European saproxylic organisms that can engage the broad public through outreach activities and therefore its role as an umbrella species should be promoted.

A multidimensional study on population size, deadwood relationship and allometric variation of Lucanus cervus through citizen science

“…During our two‐week sampling campaign, we collected a remarkably high number of L. cervus individuals (651), much greater than usually reported in other studies. For instance, the average number of collected individuals among sampling campaigns conducted across 23 sites in seven European countries was 123 (Bardiani et al, 2017; Chiari et al, 2014; Della Rocca et al, 2020; Méndez & Thomaes, 2021). These results may be largely dependent on different sampling methodologies employed across these studies.…”

Diptera species, new for the Republic of Mordovia, Russia

“…A basis for inventories of living organisms, enabling the creation of taxonomic checklists, are new records of species in countries, smaller regions or Protected Areas (e.g. Wagner, 2020;Baranovski et al, 2021;Méndez & Thomaes, 2021;Dvořák et al, 2022). Since the anthropogenic impact is increasing in many regions in the world, such studies are important for a more accurate assessment of the biodiversity status (e.g.…”

Relative Contribution of Citizen Science, Museum Data and Publications in Delineating the Distribution of the Stag Beetle in Spain

“…The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus Linnaeus, 1758, the largest beetle in Europe, is included in the Bern Convention, the Habitat Directive and the annex II of Natura 2000 [33]. Its conspicuous size and shape make it a very popular beetle among entomologists and the general public, with sustained attention in the entomological literature [33] and representation in iconography through the European history [34]. In addition, it is easy to recognize by the general public, thus making it a suitable candidate to citizen science programs.…”