About some patrimonial saproxylic beetles from old chestnut trees in Ardeche (France)

The watersheds of the Beaume and the Drobie rivers are largely covered with old chestnut groves, gradually abandoned. A first year of study of these tree formations has better characterized the fauna of the saproxylic beetles living in very old chestnuts. These data highlight high quality micro-habitats that harbour rare species in France and Europe. They emphasize the important role of traditional chestnut culture, which maintains favourable conditions for the survival of these patrimonial insects.