Hermit Beetle (Osmoderma eremita)Hi all, For years I have hoped to get a picture of this one, and finally in August 2008 I had luck, so this is why this is my best 2008 shot.
It's just a Beetle you could say, but this one is very rare, and on the list of endangered species.
It's protected by EU, and the known places where they live are declared conservation area.
The development from larva takes 3-5 years, the grown bug only lives aprox. a month.
A estamate says that there is aprox. 1500-1600 induviduals left in all Denmark, (not many for a bug), only 15% ever leave their living place, and even fewer fly arround, and when they do, usally in 10 to 15 meters hight. Figure out the chance of seeing one. They are so rare to see, that a known Habitat is first declared Hermit dead a 100 years after the last observation.

I wish everybody a happy and peacefull 2009
:-) Jesper