I love longhorn beetles, in fact I love all beetles and I am also rather fond of longhorn moths too, but today I thought I would take a look at some of the species of Cerambycidae, that we have here in the UK, most of which can be found (or are potentially yet to be discovered) at Langford.
There are currently 68 species of longhorn beetle that have been recorded in the UK (Duff, 2012), many of which are native, but the list also includes some accidental introductions, mainly from within imported timber. They are named after their long antennae, that in some species can exceed the length of the rest of the insect! Larvae of many species are wood borers and feed within both living and dead wood. The imago (adult) insects of most species are best looked for in the summer months, either feeding on pollen and nectar on open flower heads of species such as hogweed, cow parsley and thistles or basking on fenceposts, leaves and other open situations. When handled, many species produce a squeaking noise, presumably as a defence mechanism.
So, here are some species you may see at Langford and in the surrounding area, with many thanks to Charlie Barnes for the brilliant pictures and to eakringbirds.com for info on local distribution of some species.
First and one of my personal favourites is Agapanthia villosoviridescens, otherwise known as the golden-bloomed grey longhorn beetle. At up to 20mm in length (and that's just the body), they are one of our larger species and can be seen readily feeding on flowers heads. It is common and widespread in England and the larvae, unlike a lot of other species, feed within stems of herbaceous plants.
This is Pogonocherus hispidulus, the greater thorn-tipped longhorn beetle, one of 3 similar species to be found in the UK. A small species, at only around 10mm in body length, it is a striking insect that can be seen basking on fenceposts or perched on leaves of deciduous trees. The larvae feed on small branches of dead wood and it is widespread and quite common throughout the southern UK.
Stenocorus meridianus, or the variable longhorn beetle, is another of our larger species, at up to 25mm body length. Common and widespread, it can be obvious when perched feeding on flowers heads. The larvae feed within decaying broadleaved wood.
The superbly named Rhagium mordax is a widespread and frequent species in the UK, the larvae feeding just underneath the bark of well rotted broadleaved wood. The adults of this species, like many are nectar and pollen feeders and can be seen on open flower heads. The body length is around 15mm, with the antennae being rather short, compared with other longhorns.
This is Leiopus nebulosus, otherwise known as the black clouded longhorn beetle. It is associated with a wide variety of deciduous tree species including oak, elm, alder and beech, where the larvae feed within dead wood. Widespread and fairly common throughout the southern UK, look for it perched on leaves or basking on fenceposts. It is one of our smaller species, with a body length of around 10mm.
Rutpela maculata, or the spotted longhorn beetle, is one of our more distinctive and sizeable species, with a body length of up to 20mm. Common in the southern UK, the adults can be seen readily feeding on flowers and the larvae feed within dead wood of a variety of broadleaved tree species.
A recent new addition to the Langford list was Anaglyptus mysticus (the rufous-shouldered longhorn beetle) - another great name! A Nationally Notable B species (nationally scarce) with a body length of up to 15mm. This is another species with dead wood feeding larvae and adults that can be found feeding on flower heads. This picture is much better than my recent effort!
Superficially similar to Anaglypticus mysticus is Poecilium alni, the white banded longhorn beetle. At only 7mm in body length, it one of our smallest species and is scarce up here in Nottinghamshire, but is potentially one to look out for here at Langford. It is most closely assciated with oak and, as it's name would suggest, alder (alni, derived from Alnus = alder).
And a few more that you may come across, sorry for the lack of phtots!
Clytus arietis, the wasp beetle, common and widespread and aptly named after it's yellow and black banded appearance, mimicing a wasp. It's red legs are also distinctive. The larvae feed on dead wood and the adults are commonly seen feeding on flowers. Body length of around 17mm.
Grammoptera ruficornis, one of our smaller species, but very common and can be readily seen feeding on flowers. 10mm body length, brown in colour, with red banded antennae and a covering of hairs on the elytra (wing cases).
Leptura quadfasciata, superficially similar to Rutpela maculata and equally impressive in size and colouration. Look for it on flower heads. This species is distinguished by having four distinct yellow spots, roughly square shaped running down each elytron (compare with the photo of Rutpela above).
And finally, perhaps one of the most impressive species of any beetle we have here in the UK, Aromia moschata, or the musk beetle. It is certainly one of our largest longhorns at 35mm in body length. Named after it's ability to produce a smell, it is metallic green in colour and can be seen feeding on flower heads. It has a widespread distribution, but is scarce in Nottinghamshire, so do please let us know if you see one!