2012

Rare beetle found in Latvia’s state forests

This summer, a rare beetle species – the cinnabar flat bark beetle (Cucujus cinnaberinus) - was found in Latvia’s state forests in Ape Region. Latvia is located in its northern-most distribution area. Therefore, the cinnabar flat bark beetle has been found only in five locations throughout the country so far – Ābeļi, in the vicinity of Pededze, Slītere, Moricsala and the forests of Gruzdova.

LVM Environmental Planning Specialist Mārtiņš Kalniņš explains that he found the beetle on a large fallen aspen tree after time-consuming and tiresome wading through a wet forest, full of fallen trees, bordering with Estonia. He was looking for another rare species – the false darkling beetle (Phryganophilus ruficollis). “I was very happy to find the cinnabar flat bark beetle instead of the false darkling beetle, since I knew that it was a new find in Latvia, faraway from other locations, besides, I had never seen this beetle in nature before.”

Kalniņš was concerned about the beetle’s future existence. Even though there were many fallen aspen trees in the area, very few were still growing. “If only one area is protected, the beetle will not last long. When I looked at the surrounding forest areas, the species of trees, I realized that by smart management – combining doing nothing in some forest areas with aspen tree renewal activities in other areas - it is possible to provide the beetle with a habitat for a longer period of time.

The cinnabar flat bark beetle is endangered and protected throughout Europe. It inhabits biologically old broadleaf forests. The beetle and its larvae live beneath the decomposing bark of up to three-year-old fallen deciduous trees, mainly aspen trees or oaks. This rare species feeds on bark, its mushrooms and, sometimes, other insect larvae, but does not harm growing trees. It takes two years, for the cinnabar flat bark beetle to undergo all stages of development – from an egg to an adult.