Scientific name
Rosalia alpina
Popular name
Alpine longhorn beetle
Description
The Alpine longhorn beetle is a relatively large insect, reaching a length of 15-38 mm. The body is elongated, gray-blue with black spots on the elytra and long antennae, which can exceed the length of the body (reaching 50-55 mm). It is an unmistakable species due to its color and characteristic antennas.
Adults are active on sunny days, but can also appear in the twilight. They prefer dry and sunny old forests (with trunk diameter over 20 cm). They can be found on trees or piles of newly cut logs, as well as on inflorescences, especially of Umbelliferae, where they feed on pollen. Adults can be seen from June to September.
Reproduction
The life cycle lasts 2-3 years, the female laying eggs during spring in the tree barks. The larvae grow in dead wood or in old living trees. It prefers beech, but also grows in willow, hornbeam, oak, holm and even apple tree.
Critical period
The main critical period for the species is the larval development period. The larvae grow in dry and partially dry wood of diseased or physiologically debilitated trees. Therefore, the removal of degraded forest material directly affects the existence of the species.
Habitat
The Alpine longhorn beetle lives particularly in cold and moist beech forests from high altitude areas, where the species can be commonplace. It is also rarely found in mixed forests or in quercinee and beech forests.
Distribution
The species is spread in Central and Southern Europe, to the east up to the Caucasus Mountains, as well as in Turkey. In Romania, the Alpine longhorn beetle can be found in the low alpine area, in beech and mixed forests and sporadically in the hill, continental area.
