Species Action Plans for Threatened Insect Species

Section: Conservation Biology

Responsible staff: Axel Hochkirch 

Research strategy: Understanding and Preserving Nature, Society and Natural History

The general public has in recently years become increasingly aware of the phenomenon of insect decline. In addition to documenting changes in entomological fauna, biologists have the important task of developing appropriate strategies to combat biodiversity loss.

Action plans for particularly threatened species form an important basis for nature conservation.

For several years, the Ecology Section has supported the development and implementation of species action plans worldwide, including in Luxembourg. Thus, in recent years, it has accompanied the establishment of conservation measures for the Crau grasshopper (Prionotropis rhodanica), threatened with extinction in southern France.

In 2023, the butterbur hoverfly Neoascia unifasciata was observed for the first time in Luxembourg. For this species, which is highly threatened in Europe, an action plan was developed in collaboration with stakeholders and is currently being implemented in cooperation with the ANF and SICONA. In addition, the European action plan for the sand bee Andrena hattorfiana (the knautia bee) has been adapted for Luxembourg.

Recent publications:

Michez, M., Radchenko, V., Macadam, C., Wilkins, V., Raser, J., Hochkirch, A. (2023). Teasel-plant specialised bees in Europe - Conservation action plan 2023-2030. Publication prepared for the European Commission within the framework of the contract No 07.0202/2020/839411/SER/ENV.0.2

Yeray Monasterio León, Carlos Ruiz Carreira, Ruth Escobés Jiménez, Javier Almunia, Martin Wiemers, Ante Vujic, Craig Macadam, Julia Raser, Axel Hochkirch (2023). Canarian Islands endemic pollinators of the Laurel Forest zone - Conservation plan 2023-2028. Publication prepared for the European Commission within the framework of the contract No 07.0202/2020/839411/SER/ENV.0.2

Vujić, A., Miličić, M., Janković Milosavljević, M., van Steenis, J., Macadam, C., Wilkins, V., Raser, J., & Hochkirch, A (2023). Hoverflies specialised to veteran trees in Europe – Conservation Action Plan 2023–2030. Publication prepared for the European Commission within the framework of the contract No 07.0202/2020/839411/SER/ENV.0.2

External collaborators: Bálint Andrasi, Tim Chambers