Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Click Beetle
Scientific Name:
Lacon quercus Distribution
This species was first recorded in 1830, and was not seen again for around 100 years. In Britain, it is currently found only in Windsor Forest and Windsor Great Park.
Habitat
Associated with red-rotten wood on veteran oak trees and fallen branches, it inhabits ancient broadleaved woodland as well as pasture-woodlands.
All beetles that depend on dead wood habitats are threatened by the loss of old woodlands and parklands, due to development or agricultural expansion. Old trees and fallen dead wood are often removed from woodlands, reducing the available habitat for these beetles. Furthermore, the age structure of trees within sites may be skewed, and as a result, a constant supply of old wood may be lost.
Status
Classified as Endangered in Great Britain.
This beetle is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP); the group Species Action Plan that has been produced for 10 beetles dependent on dead wood, aims to maintain the current range of this species. Windsor Forest and Great Park are now managed in ways that retain dead wood habitats; there is also a non-intervention area in Windsor Forest