Scientists accidentally discovered the endangered Berlin jewel beetle (Dicerca berolinensis) in a piece of dead wood from the Steigerwald. The wood came from dead beeches at the Ebrach forest climate station (Bamberg district). “This significant find proves that valuable habitats and rare species can also be preserved in managed forests,” said Peter Pröbstle, head of the forest research institute of the Bavarian State Institute for Forests and Forestry (LWF), on Tuesday. Most recently, LWF scientists detected the rare beetle, also known as the golden jewel beetle, more than 15 years ago. According to the LWF, this species loves warmth and relies on sunlit dead wood in the crowns of fragile beech trees. “The red list species is thus profiting from climate change, since red beeches are weakened in some places by drought and warmth,” says a statement from the LWF.