VU

Cerambyx cerdo

UnknownNTEUNTEU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Great Capricorn Beetle faces severe population declines across Europe due to the widespread removal of ancient oak trees and fragmentation of old-growth forests. Urban development and intensive forestry practices have eliminated many of the large, mature oak trees that serve as essential breeding sites for this species. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering oak forest ecosystems and potentially disrupting the beetle's lengthy larval development cycle.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cerambyx cerdo inhabits mature oak forests and parklands across Europe, requiring large, ancient oak trees (Quercus species) for breeding and larval development. The species is particularly dependent on old-growth stands with trees over 100 years old, where larvae develop in the heartwood over 3-5 years.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in CERAMBYCIDAE

EN

Trichoferus bergeri

Unknown
CR

Schurmannia sicula

Unknown
EN

Giant Fijian Longhorn Beetle

Xixuthrus heros

Declining
Macrodontia cervicornisVU

Macrodontia cervicornis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cerambyx cerdo classified as Vulnerable?
Cerambyx cerdo is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Great Capricorn Beetle faces severe population declines across Europe due to the widespread removal of ancient oak trees and fragmentation of old-growth forests. Urban development and intensive forestry practices have eliminated many of the large, mature oak trees that serve as essential breeding sites for this species. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering oak forest ecosystems and potentially disrupting the beetle's lengthy larval development cycle.
Where does Cerambyx cerdo live?
Cerambyx cerdo occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cerambyx cerdo?
The main threats to Cerambyx cerdo are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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