Greater Capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 192521247

The use of conservation detection dogs to survey the critical endangered greater Capricorn beetle

Nordens Ark is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the conservation of endangered species. Our mission is to promote and conserve biodiversity and ensure viable populations of endangered species in their natural habitats. The greater Capricorn beetle is listed as critically endangered (CR) on the Swedish red list. At present there is only one remaining Swedish population of the species which is in the nature reserve of Halltorp on the island of Öland. In average there are only around 6-8 oaks with 20-30 fresh exit holes from the greater Capricorn beetle per year. The greater Capricorn beetle is classified as a keystone species and by protecting and restoring its habitat we also secure a future for many other species. Nordens Ark is working with the County Administrative Board of Kalmar and Blekinge to reintroduce the greater Capricorn beetle in restored and protected areas. A breeding programme has been developed at Nordens Ark and a lab population now exist founded by individuals from the population in Halltorps hage. Reintroduction started in 2018 on two sites on the Swedish mainland and in the next 10 years reintroduction will take place in four suitable sites in southeast Sweden.In Sweden the larval development of the species last for five years. The species is primarily monitored by surveying exit holes. Due to the long larval development we intend to develop a dog detection monitoring technique for the greater Capricorn beetle. This will greatly facilitate the detection and identification of colonised trees in a non-invasive way and assist in the mapping of the distribution of colonised trees at the reintroduction sites.