Results of inventory of the hermit beetle in Goričko are known
Al Vrezec, one of the leading entomologists in Slovenia, in July of 2018, carried out inventory of 230 willow trees (Salix spp.) with an aim to identify most important habitat trees of the hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita). Inventory of the trees showed that the hermit beetle is widespread in the western part of Natura 2000 site Goričko. In the review, 43 (19 %) trees were assessed as unsuitable for concluding conservation agreements due to their age, 10 (4%) of them as suitable without concluding conservation agreements, 77 (33%) as a conditionally suitable for conservation agreements and 100 trees (43%) as suitable for concluding conservation agreements. Guidelines for tree management for the long-term conservation of hermit habitat have also been given.
For the long-term conservation of the hermit population, it is necessary to preserve and expand the network of trees throughout the area, the distance between adjacent trees should not exceed 250 m. To provide larger population cores, it makes sense to choose trees in clustered or lined stands. Pollard willows have to be regularly pruned. The Goričko Nature Park Public Institute will therefore, as part of the Gorička krajina project, contact interested willow owners and conclude conservation agreement with them for a long-term conservation of habitat trees for the hermit beetle.
