When a threatened species becomes a threat: a key to reading the Habitats Directive based on occurrence and distribution of Cerambyx cerdo L. in Mediterranean urban and peri‐urban areas

• Published in: Insect conservation and diversity Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 730 - 735
• Main Authors: Mannu, Roberto, Torres‐Vila, Luis M., Olivieri, Maurizio, Lentini, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.11.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Cerambyx cerdo; Conservation biology; Decision making; Endangered & extinct species; EU Habitats Directive; Great Capricorn beetle; IPM; Threatened species; Urban areas; Mediterranean Area
• ISSN: 1752-458X; 1752-4598
• DOI: 10.1111/icad.12531

Cerambyx cerdo is a large saproxylic species included in the Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive as a ‘priority species’. Although C. cerdo populations have shown a significant decline in size and distribution in central and northern European forests, in the Mediterranean basin it is often considered as a pest in urban and peri‐urban areas. Based on European legislations currently in use, we propose a simplified decision‐making flowchart that should be followed regarding the adoption of different control measures against severe C. cerdo infestations. Cerambyx cerdo is a large saproxylic species included in the Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive as a ‘priority species’. Despite their role in forests and woodlands, C. cerdo populations are often considered as a pest in urban and peri‐urban areas in Mediterranean area. A simplified decision‐making flowchart regarding the adoption of different control measures against severe C. cerdo infestations is proposed.