New records of Osmoderma eremita in protected relict forests of Piedmont lowlands (NW Italy) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Abstract

Hermit beetle, Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), is a priority species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive, closely linked to mature deciduous trees bearing cavities. As required by articles 11 and 17 of the Directive, in 2021 and 2023 the species was monitored in some lowland wooded areas within the Monviso Park (Piedmont, NW Italy). The monitoring was carried out collecting presence/absence data to inspect population status, phenology and sex ratio, using pheromone baited traps to capture adults during both studies, and searching for exoskeletal remains, larvae and cocoons through the wood mould sampling method in 2021. At the end of the second monitoring period, the presence of the target species was first-time established in all study areas, in addition to other protected saproxylic species records. Planting pollarded trees as well as a forest management attentive to microhabitats are suggested, in order to restore suitable habitat for associated saproxylic beetles and preserve this particularly threatened entomofauna.