Aulonium trisulcum
CR

Aulonium trisulcum

Local name: Dermeste à tête noire

Unknown

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Nikolai Vladimirov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nikolai Vladimirov

Overview

Aulonium trisulcum is a small, elongated bark beetle with a distinctive dark head and reddish-brown body, measuring approximately 2-4mm in length. This specialized predatory beetle plays a crucial ecological role by hunting other wood-boring insects, particularly bark beetle larvae, within the subcortical layers of dead and dying trees. As a natural biocontrol agent, it helps regulate populations of forest pest species in temperate woodland ecosystems.

Aulonium trisulcum, a saproxylic beetle species, faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss and degradation of old-growth forest habitats containing the dead wood substrates it requires for survival. The species' highly specialized ecological requirements and limited dispersal ability make it extremely vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and changes in forest management practices that reduce the availability of suitable breeding sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

This beetle inhabits the space between bark and wood (subcortical zone) of recently dead or dying deciduous trees, particularly oak, beech, and maple species in mature temperate forests. It requires forests with sufficient dead wood retention and minimal human disturbance to maintain stable populations.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dermeste à tête noire classified as Critically Endangered?
Dermeste à tête noire is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Aulonium trisulcum, a saproxylic beetle species, faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss and degradation of old-growth forest habitats containing the dead wood substrates it requires for survival. The species' highly specialized ecological requirements and limited dispersal ability make it extremely vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and changes in forest management practices that reduce the availability of suitable breeding sites.
Where does Dermeste à tête noire live?
Dermeste à tête noire 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 Dermeste à tête noire?
The main threats to Dermeste à tête noire 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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