Pedostrangalia ariadne is endemic to central and southwestern Crete (Greece). This species is assessed as Vulnerable since it has a restricted area of occupancy (AOO is 32 km²) and a relatively restricted extent of occurrence (EOO is 2,104 km²) and occurs in eight locations, and there is continuing decline in area and quality of habitat due to rapid decline of its primary host tree. The primary host tree is Platanus orientalis, and this tree occurs along roads and in small villages where it has been planted, as well as in some natural riparian areas (which are under decline due to urbanisation). The development of P. ariadne takes three years in the decayed parts of living trees (veteran trees). The removal and non-replacement of old trees for safety reasons, is a major threat to this longhorn beetle. The extent and quality of its habitat is expected to decrease in the near future, causing the local extinction of some subpopulations. In addition, the plane tree disease (Ceratocystis platani) could lead to rapid declines in the host trees in the future. So far, it is not reported from Crete, but occurs in Sicily, Corsica and mainland Greece, albeit, a potential vector of the disease (Platypus cylindrus) has been recorded recently from Crete. The only current solution against this fungal attack has been to fell the trees and to replant with other kinds of tree. It is uncertain whether P. ariadne has other host trees, and further research into its ecology is needed. Monitoring of the population size and trend are recommended, and an area-based management plan might be needed to prevent abrupt population declines.

Pedostrangalia ariadne is endemic to Crete (Daniel 1904, Berger 1987, Bense 1995). After its description (Daniel 1904), no more specimens seem to have been collected until the entomological expedition of Berger and Sláma in 1981 (Berger 1987). The type specimens come from the eastern part of the island (Assitaes). Berger (1987) and then Sláma and Slámová (1996) added new localities from the centre and the western parts of the island. Recently it has been recorded again from western Crete (Kydoni gorgre) as well as from eastern parts of the island (Omalos Viannou) (Bolanakis and Trichas unpublished data). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 2,104 km², and its known area of occupancy (AOO) is 32 km².

Few, geographically distant, recent records are available to establish a population trend. Before the research of Berger and Sláma, this species was amongst the rarest known longhorn beetles (Sláma and Slámová 1996). It is now acknowledged that it can be locally abundant, but it seems that the species is hard to find because of its peculiar biology, using dead parts of living trees. The population of the species is fragmented following its habitat (plane tree groves, which is also fragmented), but this fragmentation does not quality as severe fragmentation based on the IUCN definition.

The adult beetles have been found at flowers and in Oriental Plane-trees (Platanus orientalis) that have been planted along roads. It has been observed ovipositing in Ulmus (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67620134), and also found in a mountain plateau with Quercus coccifera (Bolanakis and Trichas unpublished data). The larva has not been morphologically described but precise observations have been made about its biology (Berger 1987, Sláma and Slámová 1996). The larva lives in rotten heartwood inside living trees: in barkless scars on the trunk or at the base of dead branches. The larva feeds at the boundary of living and dead tissues with high moisture. It can go to different depths in the wood, sometimes up to 12 cm deep. The development takes three years. The pupation occurs behind 0.5 – 4 cm of very hard exterior wood of ancient wounds of the tree. Those features are shared by most other Pedostrangalia species. The fungus that causes the heartwood decay in the trees has not been identified yet. The adults are active on flowers of chestnut or umbellifers in the second half of June and in July.

The biology—especially the range of host trees, the types of situation, and the decay fungus—need to be investigated in order to determine the potential threats. The occupied veteran Platanus trees are dying through natural processes, and no replacement with new Platanus trees has been carried out. As a consequence, there is a continuing decline in the extent of the habitat. Moreover, the removal of the Platanus trees might occur suddenly because they are even-aged and in declining condition, and there is a risk of Ceratocystis platani disease. The only current solution against this fungal attack has been to fell the trees and to replant with other kinds of tree. The disease is not reported from Crete but occurs in Sicily, Corsica and mainland Greece. Recently Playtpus cylindrus, a potential carrier of Ceratocystis platani, (Soulioti et al. 2015) has been recorded from a common locality with Pedostrangalia ariadne (Kydoni gorge) (Bolanakis and Trichas unpublished data). The abilities of Pedostrangalia ariadne to use another tree as a major host, and relatively young and small trees, are unknown, but the requirement for heartwood decay means that trees need to be at least mature before they become suitable.

This species may attract collectors, however it is not threatened from collection.

This species is found in protected areas, but is also found in degraded habitats. More research is needed to understand its biology, to understand whether there are other host trees, or if the species is strictly dependent on Platanus orientalis. Research is also needed into its ecology (natural and native habitat) and distribution on the island. Monitoring of the population size and trend are recommended, and an area-based management plan might be needed to prevent abrupt population declines.