Current status
Ernoporus tiliae is a small brown beetle specific to lime and preferring small-leafed lime. It seems to favour old coppiced woodlands with a continuity of lime, and requires branches or coppice poles up to 12 cm thick that still have some sap left in the cambium and which have relatively thick bark (1-2 mm). Large populations develop where brashings are left in situ, and old poles are not removed from coppice stools. Appropriately-sized branches of mature parkland trees are also suitable, although most modern records are from coppiced woods.
E. tiliae has become increasingly scarce in Britain in the last 50 years with few post-1970 records, though this may result from under-recording. Old records indicate a western distribution centred on Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, but there have also been records from Durham, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Since 1970 it has been recorded from just five areas: Yorkshire (Rudding Park), Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean), Lincolnshire (Central Limewoods), Northamptonshire (Easton Hornstocks) and Norfolk (Hockering Wood). E. tiliae is widespread but often localised throughout the Palearctic, from Scandinavia, through the Caucasus and across to western Siberia.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Endangered.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Decline in coppice as a regular management regime.
Loss of old lime woodlands.
Removal of fallen and dying timber.
Current action
A number of existing sites are SSSIs, and Collyweston Great Wood and the Central Lincolnshire Limewoods are NNRs.
Coppicing regimes at Collyweston Great Wood and the Central Lincolnshire Limewoods are favouring the maintenance and expansion of this species.
FE has restored conifer plantations on limewood sites in Lincolnshire to broadleaved woodland.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the number of sites occupied by the species
Increase the size of the sites which are occupied by the species
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Where appropriate, include the requirements of the species when preparing or revising prescriptions for agri-environment or woodland grant schemes. (ACTION: NE, FE, MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that all occupied habitat is appropriately managed, including the retention of dead wood, by 2008. This may be achieved through SSSI or agri-environment/ woodland grant scheme management agreements. (ACTION: NE, FE, MAFF)
Increase the area of lime coppice by conversion of plantation conifers in areas where this would benefit this species. (ACTION: FE)
Ensure that the species is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs. (ACTION: NE)
Consider notifying as SSSIs sites holding key populations of the species. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
None proposed.
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence of this species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE, FC)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake surveys to determine the status of this species. (ACTION: NE)
Conduct targeted autecological research to inform habitat management. (ACTION: NE)
Establish a regular monitoring programme for the species. (ACTION: NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to a central database for incorporation in national and international databases. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation of this beetle and the conservation issues associated with its habitat. This should be achieved through articles within appropriate journals, as well as by publicity leaflets. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Ernoporus tiliae:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV: Invertebrates (March 1999, Tranche 2, Vol IV, p75)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species