Lucanidae for Dutch Project

[biovisie]

Dear people,

May I ask your attention for the following:

Please let me introduce myself: my name is Hendrik Hoogeveen. I live in the Netherlands and I am a teacher. I am the initiator and coordinator of “Bio-Visie Natuureducatieve Projecten”, that is developing nature education projects for years now. With a changing group of volunteers we do produce lessons series, educational projects and exhibitions on various issues. Until now we have always found the opportunity to involve experts in this work too. We believe that our projects have to be accessible for everyone and not just for rich schools and museums. So all this work is idealistic and not commercial. I received a license from the Dutch government to possess and use protected dead and stuffed animals for this purpose. This can be seen as an approval for our educational work.

The Bio-Visie partnership pays much attention to endangered species. At this time we are working on an exhibition about our stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, whose existence in the Netherlands is uncertain. We consider it a very good idea to make this beautiful beetle known among the general public. Beside a new group of volunteers we are supported by two British entomologists, specialized in Lucanidae. The exhibition will focus on the life and problems of Lucanus cervus, but in order to embed this species in the big picture it is necessary to show biodiversity. Therefore a lot of different specimens of Lucanidae species form all over the world are needed. And to show gender differences of each species a male and female specimen are necessary. Many wonderful species of Lucanidae occur. We don't know other ways to collect these species for our purpose. Are you please willing to help us?

Dried specimens are okay for me. I think I am well able to mount them myself. But already mounted specimens are of course also welcome!

We would be very glad if you were willing to enable our group to show the general public in the Netherlands how beautiful stag beetles are. With your help we are able to fight for our beautiful Lucanus cervus, that deserves to live in the Netherlands! And maybe you are also willing to forward this email (with a recommendation) to other interesting contacts. This could open many doors for our project!

Thank you very much in advance and warm greetings,

Hendrik Hoogeveen
De Steenkamp 94
3781VT Voorthuizen
The Netherlands
Bio-Visie Natuureducatieve Projecten

[bichos]

Perhaps a dealer who advertises here could partially help out and sponsor this project???

Im sure they'd have plenty of A2's...

Someone like Giradys or insectsale perhaps ;D

[johnnyboy]

Stag beetles are quite common in our South and South East London suburbs. I have them breeding in my garden, beneath old tree stumps.

Although it is illegal to trade in them in the UK we have, from time to time, found colonies of larvae that have had to be moved for various reasons. Perhaps we could transplant some to Holland to help increase your population.


Johnny

[simosg]

I don't have stag beetles, but you should try to get Phalacrognathus muelleri. It is a spectacular and outstanding stag beetle.

Hannes

[biovisie]

Dear Hannes,

Thank you for your tip. Phalacrognathus muelleri is indeed one of the finest Lucanidae! It is not for nothing called rainbow stag!

Warm greetings,

Hendrik

[biovisie]

Dear Johnny,

Thank you for your answer. I know that many stagbeetles lives in London (Lucanus cercus cercus). But I also know that these beautiful beetles are protected in England. Here in the Netherlands also. And I think that's good. Transplanting some to Holland to help increase our population is not allowed. Scientists want to keep populations pure. Yet, thank you very much!

Warm greetings,

Hendrik

[johnnyboy]

Hendrik,

I think that, with regard to the protection of Lucanus cervus ,the situation in the UK is slightly different to continental Europe.

In the UK, although the trade in stag beetles is banned, it is technically not an offence to collect them (however, I personally have not collected any since the 1970's as I already have lots of specimens that I acquired in my youth) as it is elsewhere.

It would be interesting to know whether our authorities would allow an export of eggs/larvae or adults to Holland. It might well be that they would sanction it in a limited way.

Johnny

[bichos]

No! Netherlands does not need more Lucanus cervus, like with the majority of threatened or endangered species, it simply needs more HABITAT.

[nomihoudai]

Hello Johnny, as Bichos said your idea will not work. Many people suggest to stock up endangered species by more individuals but this is not good, and in some cases, makes it even worse.

If you imagine how your suggestion will look with humans it might be more clear as the concepts are more familiar to us. Imagine that you have a desert with arid soil where humans once used to live, but as no crop grows anymore there is just a few left and only some houses. Now your suggestion would be like saying that we must revive this city and that there is many people in Bangladesh and we should just transfer some from there over to the desert. Without building any shelter, water supply or food source. You can imagine how long they will make it there... things might even get worse as the new people take the food supplies from the former inhabitants and the housing situation will get worse.

On the other hand if you can get water to the desert and build more houses humans will get there all on their own and the initial inhabitants will probably consider having a few more kids.

The same with Lucanus cervus, more habitats and they will multiply again.

[biovisie]

Dear Sirs,

Let me be clear: I agree with Bichos that the Netherlands do not need more Lucanus cervus. The ones that live here now found a suitable habitat. Add additional beetles makes no sense. Connecting the small populations through oak avenues, with retention of declining oaks, does have meaning, and this is a measure that is accessible. It has been common in our forests to remove all dead trees. The leave of fallen oak is another measure that provides food to the larvae. This happens fortunately growing in the Netherlands. This beautiful beetle is worthy to be known! This beautiful beetle deserves a place in our country. I love this beautiful beetle. We want to develop this exhibition because Lucanus cervus is not known to our people. I am a teacher and educator. Surely you all will understand that I feel it is my duty to do this.

To embed Lucanus cervus in the big picture it is necessary to demonstrate biodiversity. You can help us by sending dried specimens of Lucanidae species. With your help we will be able to develop a wonderful exhibition.

Many thanks in advance,

Hendrik Hoogeveen
De Steenkamp 94
3781VT Voorthuizen
The Netherlands
Bio-Visie Natuureducatieve Projecten

[johnnyboy]

I accept that, as L. cervus in the UK, is an isolated population, with its own distinct genetic makeup, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to transplant live specimens to the continent.

However, I do not think it is necessarily wrong to reintroduce insect species to places where they have become extinct.

If L. cervus is extinct in the Netherlands it probably is due to lack of suitable habitat, with no dead wood left in parks or gardens etc.
In the UK there has been a change in woodland management, with tree logs and stumps left in situ as part of management strategy.
UK gardens are, however, becoming increasingly concreted over, due to lack of car parking space (or too many cars!) and people don't leave tree stumps in their gardens for fear of honey fungus etc.
I have found L. cervus larvae in all sorts of wood, particulary apple, pear and plum trees. I have chopped down a tree of heaven (Ailanthus) in my front garden (it had honey fungus) but left the stump which I hope will soon become colonised by stag beetle larvae.


Johnny

[shinchan]

Hello Hendrik
I am Japanese ,and I breed many stage beetles.
i can send many alive stage beetles.
if interested in them,Please tell me.
my [e-mail]
pLease tell me directly.
Regards Matsuda