Rutpela maculata
Spotted Longhorn ( Rutpela maculata )
The Spotted Longhorn ( Rutpela maculata, formerly Strangalia maculata ) is a beetle of the family of longhorn beetles ( Cerambycidae ).
Features
Spotted narrow blocks are 14 to 20 millimeters long. The basic coloration of the body is black, only the elytra are yellow and have separate front and behind black spots more or less contiguous black cross bands. This drawing varies from animal to animal and causes other animals keep the beetle for a wasp. So he operates mimicry. The body is stretched in length and built quite slim. He is the only member of the longhorn beetles are the long threadlike antennae and legs alternately colored yellow and black.
Occurrence
The beetles are very common in central and southern Europe. They also occur in Asia Minor. They inhabit different habitats, including open positions in deciduous forests, thickets and meadows.
Way of life
One sees the diurnal and nocturnal animals often sit on umbelliferous. They live next to the nectar by pollen and stamens. From rubbing hind legs and elytra is the beetle is able to produce chirping sounds. The larvae bore deep into old and rotten trees and shrubs (eg, beech, birch, oak or white spines, rarely in coniferous wood) and can produce long passages. After several molts, the larva pupates in one of the aisles, so that the newly hatched beetles first have to find the way out. The beetles can be found from June to August.