Species Account for Megatoma undata

Essex Red Data List comment
Essex Post-1969 record/s; VC18 pre-1970 record/s; VC19 1970-on record/s.

Species text
Megatoma undata is a small dermestid beetle found under bark in old woodland. It is Widespread but local in England and also reported in South Wales. The beetle occurs in Woodland, pasture-woodland and isolated trees and bushes. Adults and larvae have been recorded from under the bark of dead wood on trees, with larval records from oak and sweet chestnut and adult records from oak, sweet chestnut, goat willow, field maple, hawthorn and sycamore. It is possibly associated with older trees, and has been found in the nests and larval burrows of a variety of insects and amongst spider's webs, where it probably feeds on dead insect remains and detritus. Adults have been recorded at flowers, such as hawthorn and crab-apple, probably feeding on pollen. Ancient trees and both fallen and standing dead timber, especially with the bark attached, should be retained. The removal of dead timber from ancient trees should be avoided. Gaps in the age structure of the tree population should be identified and the continuity of the appropriate dead wood habitat ensured by suitable planting and possibly with pollarding. The presence of nectar sources such as hawthorn, may also be particularly important for this species (Hyman & Parsons, 1992). References

Habitats

Recorded management for locations with Megatoma undata

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Megatoma undata

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