Taxonomic and methodological biases in saproxylic beetles: body size, trophic group and detection probability

Species-level trait data for 425 saproxylic beetle species collected from 28 veteran oak (Quercus spp.) sites across 10 countries in Europe, Turkey, and Israel. Variables include species name, beetle family, larval trophic group (mycetophagous, saprophagous, sapro-xylophagous, xylophagous, zoophagous), and body length (mm). Data support analyses of body size bias in taxonomic discovery, trait-based detection probability modelling, and assessment of Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls in saproxylic beetle assemblages. Associated publication: Franzén M. et al. (2025), Insect Conservation and Diversity.