ROVE BEETLE (LATHROBIUM RUFIPENNE)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To establish presence in former occupied sites and ensure site safeguarding.

LOCAL TARGETS

Targets awaited

CURRENT STATUS

The present status of this species is difficult to assess because of its past confusion with other Lathrobium species. Lathrobium rufipenne is a fen and bog species living in wet reed litter and sphagnum beds. Although most of the county's peatlands have been destroyed, damaged or disturbed to some extent, confirmed records exist for Delamere Forest where populations are now thought to be very localised.

This rove beetle is listed as a Red Data Book Category 2 (Vulnerable) species, which includes taxa believed to move into the endangered category in the near future if the causal factors continue operating.

THREATS

Loss of suitable habitat. Any threat to areas of peatland.
Confusion with other Lathrobium species.

CURRENT ACTION

None

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Form a local BAP Action Group for the rove beetle Lathrobium rufipenne.
Collate existing records.
Survey former and potentially suitable habitats to establish current presence and range.
Identify habitat and ecological requirements.
Input into national and local databases.
Raise awareness of the ecological implications of collecting.
Raise public awareness and work towards changing the public's perception of beetles in general.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

None

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

rECOrd

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

Cheshire County Council	Forest Enterprise	Museums
Cheshire Wildlife Trust	Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society	Universities
English Nature	Landowners and Managers
Environment Agency	local groups and individuals

CONTACT

Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01270 610180
Fax: 01270 610430

REFERENCES

Countdown '97(1997): A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Peatlands.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.
Shirt, D.B. (Ed)(1987): British Red Data Books: Insects. Nature Conservancy Council.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.

Date compiled - 1998
Date reviewed - 1999