Distribution
Dead beech Fagus sylvatica tree in which the violet click-beetle Limoniscus violaceus breeds, Windsor Forest
Limoniscus violaceus is a forest relict species with scattered populations across Europe and into Turkey.
It is found in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and UK.
In the UK it is found in:
- Windsor Forest–Berkshire (VC22)
- Bredon Hill–Worcestershire (VC37)
- Dixton Wood–Gloucestershire (VC 33)
Habitat
Limoniscus violaceus is a species found in quality ancient forest.
In Britain, the forest remnants where the beetle is found are described as ‘pasture woodland’.
Although pasture woodland has been managed for centuries and is quite different in appearance to natural high forest, it has supported a continuity of very old, decaying trees in which Limoniscus violaceus breeds.
Windsor Forest has more species associated with dead wood - saproxylic species - than any other woodland in Britain.
