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Osmoderma eremita

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(Redirected from Hermit beetle)

Osmoderma eremita
Adult female
Larva
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Scarabaeiformia
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Osmoderma
Species:
O. eremita
Binomial name
Osmoderma eremita

Osmoderma eremita, the hermit beetle[1] or Russian leather beetle,[2] is a species of European beetle in the family Scarabaeidae.[1][3][4] Adults measure between 21 and 32 mm in length.[5]

Distribution and taxonomy

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Osmoderma eremita, when defined as distinct from the closely related Osmoderma barnabita, O. cristinae, O. italica, and O. lassallei, occurs in central and western Europe, from northern Spain and northern Italy northward to southern Sweden and eastern Germany.[1] When interpreted more broadly, as including O. cristinae and O. lassallei as subspecies, it is distributed in much of Europe.[4]

Larvae

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The larvae develop in hollow trees. Oak is the preferred kind of tree, but the larvae may develop in any tree species with suitable hollows.[2] Due to extensive scientific research, O. eremita is the most well known insect species associated with ancient or hollow trees. For instance, research has addressed the beetles' dispersal biology,[6] population dynamics,[7] and chemical communication.[8] Trained conservation detection dogs are being used in monitoring larvae in Italy.[9]

Conservation status

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Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the species has decreased all over its distribution range. For this reason the species is protected in most European countries, and has been given the highest priority according to the EU's Habitats Directive.[2] LIFE's projects in Poodří, Czech Republic and Gipuzkoa, Spain, led by Arnika, Ostrava University and Aranzadi Science Society, aimed at expanding the habitat of this endangered species.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Telnov, D. (2025). "Osmoderma eremita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2025: e.T15632A213070649. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS.T15632A213070649.en. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita)". ARKive. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  3. ^ "Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763)". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Hermit Beetle (Osmoderma eremita)". entomologist.net.
  6. ^ Hedin, Jonas (2008). "Restricted dispersal in a flying beetle assessed by telemetry" (PDF). Biodiversity and Conservation. 17 (3): 675–684. Bibcode:2008BiCon..17..675H. doi:10.1007/s10531-007-9299-7. S2CID 25080844.
  7. ^ Ranius, Thomas (2001). "Constancy and asynchrony of Osmoderma eremita populations in tree hollows" (PDF). Oecologia. 126 (2): 208–215. Bibcode:2001Oecol.126..208R. doi:10.1007/s004420000515. PMID 28547619. S2CID 9464816.
  8. ^ Larsson, Mattias (2003). "The characteristic odour of Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) identified as a male-released pheromone". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 29 (3): 575–587. doi:10.1023/A:1022850704500. PMID 12757320. S2CID 20564199.
  9. ^ Mosconi, Fabio; Campanaro, Alessandro; Carpaneto, Giuseppe Maria; Chiari, Stefano; Hardersen, Sönke; Mancini, Emiliano; Maurizi, Emanuela; Sabatelli, Simone; Zauli, Agnese; Mason, Franco; Audisio, Paolo (2017). "Training of a dog for the monitoring of Osmoderma eremita". Nature Conservation. 20: 237–264. doi:10.3897/natureconservation.20.12688. hdl:11573/1070438.
  10. ^ Kočárek, Petr; Klemensová, Marcela; Aubrechtová, Tereza; Kaláb, Oto (February 2020). "Ochrana páchníka hnědého (Osmoderma barnabita) v CHKO Poodří". Researchgate. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  11. ^ Castro, Alberto (December 2012). "LIFE Project: Management and conservation of Osmoderma eremita, Rosalia alpina and other saproxylic habitats of Community interest in Gipuzkoa". Researchgate.
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