BOB - Behavioural observations in beetles

Descrizione del progetto

BOB (acronym for Behavioural Observations in Beetles) is a joint initiative of CREA and the University of Parma dedicated to studying the behaviour of protected insects in Italy through direct observations in nature. Citizens can report the presence of certain species of beetles and provide details on the behaviours they observe. 

There are three target species in this project: the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), the Alpine longhorn beetle (Rosalia alpina) and the Morimus beetle (Morimus asper). These beetles are rare and protected by the EU Habitats Directive. They are known as saproxylic, as their development is strictly dependent on dead wood, which they use as food during their 2-4 year-long larval stage, while the adult is only active for a few weeks during the summer months.   In Italy, they can be found in different forest environments, depending on the characteristics of the species: the stag beetle prefers oak forests with a good supply of dead wood on the ground (trunks or old stumps), the Alpine longhorn beetle lives on large, sun-exposed, ancient or dead standing beech trees, the Morimus beetle is a little more generalist, inhabiting deciduous forests (oaks, beeches, chestnuts...) from sea level to high altitudes, but it also requires the presence of large trees and dead wood.  

To facilitate and standardise the collection of data on the behaviour and other ecological traits of these insects, a smartphone app and web app have been developed with an intuitive interface that is easy for everyone to use. When encountering one of the target species, the person can observe it, take a photo and upload it to the BOB app along with some required information about the surrounding environment and the behaviour that the beetle is exhibiting at that moment. If there are difficulties in accurately identifying the species, it is still possible to upload the photos with a brief description of what has been observed: the project team will be able to use the provided information.

Aim

Increasing knowledge of the behavioural and ecological traits of a selection of protected species of beetles (Lucanus cervus, Rosalia alpina, Morimus asper)

How to participate

Those interested in participating in BOB can:

• Download the app (for Android or Apple)
• Visit the project website where you can find details on target species and information/advice on how to participate and report behaviour
• Contact the project staff by sending an email to bob.coleotteri@gmail.com 

Needed equipment

For observation and data collection sessions, simply wear comfortable outfits and shoes which are suitable for walking in the woods. It is essential to have the BOB app with you, which will be used to record your observations and send them in real time to the project database. If you wish, we also recommend bringing a camera to take some nice photos of the beetles you encounter and their behaviour.

Coordinatore

Other Organisations involved

About funding

Funding bodies: National Biodiversity Future Center

Funding program: Unione Europea - NextGenerationEU