Association of Ovalisia rutilans (Fabricius, 1777) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) with thermophilous habitats toward its range edge in northern Poland

The occurrence of Ovalisia rutilans, an endangered beetle developing in lime trees, was studied in a network of rural avenues in northern Poland. We examined 2052 small-leaved lime trees (Tilia cordata) planted along road verges. Among them, 32 trees (1.54%) were occupied by O. rutilans. The beetle preferred trees of worse health class.Trees planted along asphalted roads were more often occupied than those along roads of other surface. In turn, the distribution of O. rutilans was random with respect to trunk size. We conclude that the occurrence along asphalted roads might compensate for the colder climate in the northern part of its distribution range.