As part of the WaFauDo project (documentation and assessment of faunal changes in forests) funded by the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN), a cross-animal group trait database was created for the forest-dwelling species (as defined by Dorow et al. [2019]) of true bugs, beetles, and Aculeata (stinging wasps, bees, and ants) in Germany. A total of 5593 (sub)species were included (true bugs [627], beetles [4034], Aculeata [932]). The database was compiled in collaboration with taxon specialists Wolfgang H. O. Dorow (true bugs and Aculeata) and Frank Köhler (beetles), additionally supported by a working group. The database structure is shown in Figure 1. Unlike in other databases, all forest-dwelling species in these groups were characterized on the species level in WaFauDo.

For each species in the database, there are 193 input fields, together comprising 42 traits that can be summarized under eight categories: general “species characteristics”, distribution, feeding ecology, Red List, abiotic factors, habitat types, microhabitat preference, and structural complexes. Of these 193 individual input fields, 144 (75%) were completed for all three animal groups (true bugs, beetles and Aculeata), 33 (17%) for true bugs and Aculeata, and 16 (8%) for beetles. For true bugs and Aculeata, the database contains additional information on their food organisms (plants and fungi). Explanations of the aforementioned categories, traits, and individual input fields, as well as their completion statistics, can be found in the project report (see link below).

The complete database can be downloaded as an Access and Excel file from the links below.