SPOTTED YELLOW/BLACK LEAF BEETLE (CRYPTOCEPHALUS DECEMMACULTUS)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To ensure the continued survival of the species in its known location at Wybunbury Moss.

LOCAL TARGETS

Targets awaited

CURRENT STATUS

There is still little known about the presence of this beetle in the UK. It has been recently confirmed that this species exists in good numbers in Cheshire at Wybunbury Moss and there is also a modern record for a site near Wigan, Greater Manchester. Other old records exist for several extremely localised, widely separated populations in east Sussex, Grampian and Tayside. However, its presence in Staffordshire is now uncertain.

The adults feed on young birch (betula) less than 2 metres high and have been swept from dwarf trees in deciduous woodland during June. It was previously assumed that the larvae occur in ant nests like other members of the genus, but this is now being questioned.

Cryptocephalus decemmacultus is nationally rare and is a UK priority species as defined in the UK Biodiversity Steering Group Tranche 2 Action Plans report 1998. It is also listed as a Category 2 species in the invertebrate Red Data Book.

THREATS

Loss of habitat through destruction of natural woodland.
Loss of habitat through prevention of young birch succession on peatland.

CURRENT ACTION

None

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Investigate to determine the species exact ecological requirements.
Thorough survey of all potential sites.
Protection of all trees known to be used by feeding adults.
Ensure the continued presence of young birch trees.
Monitor the existing population and encourage expansion to other suitable habitats.
Discourage the complete felling of birch on potentially suitable sites.
Raise the image of beetles in general.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

To raise the image of the spotted yellow/black leaf beetle it was used as part of the logo for the "Tomorrows World for local wildlife" conference held in October 2000.

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

None

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

Cheshire Wildlife Trust	Landowners and managers	rECOrd
English Nature	Local groups and individuals	Universities
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society	Museums

CONTACT

Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01270 610180
Fax: 01270 610430

REFERENCES

Shirt, D. B. (Ed.) (1997): British Red Data Book: 2. Insects. Nature Conservation Council.
A Biodiversity Audit of North West England: UK Steering Group (1999) Mr. John Webb.

Date compiled - 1998
Date reviewed - 1999, 2000, 2001