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Stictoleptura rubra
Stictoleptura rubra, the red-brown longhorn beetle, is a species of beetles belonging to the family Cerambycidae. SubspeciesTwo subspecies are sometimes recognised:
Two former subspecies, namely Stictoleptura rubra dichroa (Blanchard, 1871) and Stictoleptura rubra succedanea (Lewis, 1873) are often treated as synonyms under Stictoleptura dichroa (Blanchard, 1871) in recent works.[1] DescriptionStictoleptura rubra can reach a length of 10–20 millimetres (0.39–0.79 in).[2] This species has an evident sexual dimorphism, with variations in color and shape. Elytrae and pronotum of the females are uniformly reddish-brown or reddish-orange, while in males head and pronotum are black. Moreover the males have brown or pale ochre elytrae and often they are smaller and narrower than the females.[3] BiologyLife cycle of this species lasts two - three years. Adults can be encountered from May to September, but mainly in July and August). They visit flowering plants for nectar and/or pollen, while larvae develop and feed within dead wood and tree stumps of coniferous trees (Picea, Pinus, Abies, Larix).[2][4] To develop and reach maturity they need nutrients provided by fungi.[5][6] Their gut contains cellulase-producing yeasts[7] to enable xylophagy, or wood-digestion. DistributionThe species is found throughout the European mainland, Russia and North Africa. It can also be found in Turkey and Great Britain.[2][8][9] Gallery
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