Saproxylic species of insects are increasingly threatened by intensive forestry practices. Longhorn beetle Morimus funereus is a charismatic flightless saproxylic beetle of conservation importance and as such represents a good model species for studying the dispersion of poorly mobile saproxylic species. Detailed knowledge of the species biology is crucial for the purposes of protecting M. funereus, as well as its habitat and other species that inhabit it. Beetles were tracked with radio transmitters in order to determine the dispersal capabilities of the species, effects of air temperature and relative air humidity on its activity and its preference for host plants. Compared to flying saproxylic species, M. funereus has shown low dispersal capabilities, therefore conservation of large forests is needed for its protection. The mobility of M. funereus was markedly low at low temperatures, whereas at higher temperatures females were more mobile than males. Specimens accumulated on and near freshly cut wood, therefore the method of counting and trapping specimens on units of dead wood is a more appropriate for population monitoring than transect counts. Timber piles represent an important potential threat for the populations of M. funereus. Individials were most commonly found on fresh wood of silver fir (Abies alba), which was also the most available at the study site. For feeding, M. funereus has shown a prefrence for deciduous species. This was the first study of M. funereus by means of radio tracking.
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