ssp. inaurata Holzschuh, 1981
Subfamilia: CERAMBYCINAE / Tribus: CALLICHROMATINI
[Photo © M.Rejzek]
Osphranteria coerulescens inaurata Holzschuh, 1981 is a subspecies widely distributed in Asia Minor, the Near East and Iran. Larvae of this subspecies feed in living twigs and branches of various Prunus species. In Iran this subspecies has been reported several times to be a serious pest of peach and apricot orchards. Young trees are especially prone to attack and damage. In the case of very young trees the larvae manage to feed in the trunks completely damaging the plants.
Body length: 10 - 20 mm Life cycle: 1 - 2 years Adults in: June - July Host plant: Prunus spp. (Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca) Distribution: Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq
The adults emit a characteristic scent probably serving as a chemical defence used by the beetles to protect themselves against would be predators such as insectivorous birds.
[Photo © M.Rejzek]
Subfamilia: Cerambycinae Latreille, 1802
Tribus: Callichromatini Blanchard, 1845
Genus: Osphranteria Redtenbacher, 1850
Species: Aromia coerulescens Redtenbacher, 1850
Subspecies: Osphranteria coerulescens inaurata Holzschuh, 1981