Cerambyx longicorn (Cerambyx cerdo)
Facts
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae |
| Genus | Cerambyx (1) |
| Size |
Length: 42 mm (2) |
Status
The cerambyx longicorn is classified as Vulnerable (VU A1c + 2c) on the IUCN Red List 2003 (1). Extinct in the UK, this species is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention as a strictly protected fauna species, on Annex II of the European Habitats and Species Directive as a non-priority species and on Annex IV of the European Habitats and Species Directive (3).
Description
Range
Habitat
A saprotrophic species, this longhorn beetle lives in deadwood of living veteran oak trees, and occasionally chestnut trees (5) (6).
Biology
The life cycle of the cerambyx longicorn takes three years. The eggs are laid in deadwood and hatch after 10 days. There are five larval stages over a period of 28 months, followed by the pupal stage which lasts 32 days. The immature adult emerges but remains inactive in the wood for seven months before leaving the tree in March to mate within just 13 days of life as a sexually mature adult (7).
Males are more numerous than females, making up around 60% of the population. Females can lay up to 300 eggs (7).
This beetle possesses specialised structures for producing sound: a hard edge is rubbed against a row of toughened ridges on the abdomen, making a chirping noise (8).
Threats
Despite this species existing in many National parks, suitable habitats may still be lost, as dead and dying wood is often removed due to health and safety measures to prevent accidents. This is to the detriment of many species that exist only on dead or dying matter (9).
Conservation
The removal of deadwood has been recognised recently as an important and unnecessary habitat damaging process that occurs even within protected areas. Since this kind of habitat loss is not economically beneficial, it should not be hard to prevent. WWF issued a report in October 2004 to encourage landowners and managers to leave veteran trees and deadwood in place, as they provide a habitat for many species of insect, fungus and lichen, as well as playing a role in forest productivity and environmental stabilisation, such as carbon storage (5).
Further Information
For further information on beetles see:
Beetles and Coleopterists (November 2004):
http://www.zin.ru/Animalia/Coleoptera/eng/cercerob.htm
To find out more about deadwood habitats see:
WWF (November 2004):
http://questions.panda.org/downloads/forests/deadwoodwithnotes.pdf
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Abdomen: In arthropods (crustaceans, insects and arachnids) the abdomen is the hind region of the body, which is usually segmented to a degree (but not visibly in most spiders). In crustacea (e.g. crabs) some of the limbs attach to the abdomen; in insects the limbs are attached to the thorax (the part of the body nearest to the head) and not the abdomen. In vertebrates the abdomen is the part of the body that contains the internal organs (except the heart and lungs).
Antennae: A pair of sensory structures on the head of insects.
Elytra: In beetles and earwigs, the hard fore wings. They are held aloft when the insect flies, and are often coloured or patterned.
Saprotrophic: Term applied to an organism that absorbs nutrients from dead plant or animal matter.
References
- IUCN Red List (November, 2004)
http://www.redlist.org - Beetles and Coleopterists (November, 2004)
http://www.zin.ru/Animalia/Coleoptera/eng/cercerob.htm - National Biodiversity Network – Species Dictionary (November, 2004)
http://nbn.nhm.ac.uk/nhm/bin/nbntaxa.dll/taxon_details?taxon_key=NBNSYS0000011029 - Hasbenlý, A. and Özdýmen, H. (2004) Contribution to the knowledge of Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from Turkey, Subfamily Lamiinae. Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 6 (2): 25 - 49.
- WWF (November, 2004)
http://questions.panda.org/downloads/forests/deadwoodwithnotes.pdf - People's Trust for Endangered Species – Proceedings of the second pan-European conference on saproxylic beetles (November, 2004)
http://www.ptes.org/publications/Beetle_Proceeding_pdf/Vincent%20Vignon.pdf - European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (November, 2004)
http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/networks/euforgen/biblio/biblio.asp?BiblioID=1590 - O'Toole, C. (2002) The New Encyclopedia of Insects. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Vratislav, R. (2001) On Insects, Protection and Conservation Strategies. Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 3 (1): 47 - 51.
