Current status
Gnorimus nobilis occurs in old orchards, open woodlands, and pasture woodland. The larvae develop in rotting wood and wood mould from old standing trees, especially fruit trees (plum, apple, pear, damson and cherry), but also willow and oak (one record). The normal development period seems to be two years in fruit trees. Adults have been found during the daytime on flowerheads, especially of the larger umbellifers.
Gnorimus nobilis has been rare in Britain for over a century but appears to have undergone considerable decline in range. Recent records are from the New Forest in Hampshire and from orchards near Evesham and the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire and also in Oxfordshire and Herefordshire. There are old records for Devon, Hampshire, West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and, possibly, Cumberland. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, from Spain to Greece, Yugoslavia and Hungary, and north to southern Scandinavia.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Vulnerable.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Loss of habitat, especially through the grubbing out of old orchards and replacement of ancient decaying fruit trees, leading to gaps in the age structure so that further generations of old trees with decaying centres are no longer available.
Loss of nectar and pollen sources through inappropriate management of orchard grassland.
Use of chemical pesticides in orchards to control insect pests may have affected this species.
Current action
This species occurs in the New Forest, much of which is notified as a SSSI. Some orchards on the southern margin of the Wyre Forest are within the Wyre Forest SSSI.
The restoration of old orchards is an option under the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all known sites.
Enhance the population size at all known sites by 2010.
If no new populations are discovered, restore populations to five suitable sites within the historic range by 2010.
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, especially for orchards. (ACTION: NE, FC, MAFF)
Implement the 1994 review of Tree Preservation Orders to enable better protection of fruit trees in old orchards. (ACTION: DETR)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that all occupied habitat is appropriately managed by 2010, for example through SSSI or agri environment scheme management agreements. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Where it is in the interests of amenity, apply Tree Preservation Orders to protect host trees, orchards and woodlands. (ACTION: LAs)
Ensure that the species is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSI's. (ACTION: NE)
Consider notifying as SSSI's sites holding key populations of the species where this is appropriate to secure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
If no new populations are discovered, consider reintroductions to a series of sites within the former range to establish five new viable populations. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence of this species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE)
As far as possible, ensure that all relevant agri-environment project officers and members of regional agri-environment consultation groups are advised of locations of this species, its importance and the management needed for its conservation. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
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 the species and the conservation issues associated with its habitat. This should be achieved via articles within appropriate journals as well as by a publicity leaflet. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume VI: Terrestrial and freshwater species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol VI, p37)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species