Species Account for Conopalpus testaceus

Essex Red Data List comment
Essex Post-1969 record/s; VC18 1970-on record/s; VC19 1970-on record/s.

Species text
This false darkling beetle is widespread but local in England. It has an indicator status of Grade 1 in Garland (1983) and Grade 3 in Harding & Rose (1986). It occurs in ancient broad-leaved woodland, wooded bogs, hedgerows, and on farmland and orchards. It has been recorded in dead boughs and small branches, from rotten oak and also from hazel, apple and once from a beech bough. Adults may visit wild flowers, particularly umbellifers. Threats include the loss of broad-leaved woodland and parkland and habitat loss, in particular, through the felling of trees, removal of dead wood from living trees and the destruction or removal of standing and fallen dead wood for reasons such as forest hygiene, aesthetic tidiness, public safety or for use as fire wood. The use of herbicides and pesticides may be a further threat to this species. Trees and both fallen and standing dead timber, especially with the bark attached, should be retained. The removal of dead timber from trees should be avoided. The presence of nectar sources such as umbellifers may also be particularly important for this species (Hyman & Parsons, 1992). References

Habitats

Recorded management for locations with Conopalpus testaceus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Conopalpus testaceus

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