ssp. mniszechi Kraatz, 1873
Subfamilia: LAMIINAE / Tribus: DORCADIINI
Dorcadion mniszechi mniszechi ♀ face [Photo © M.Hoskovec]
This beautiful and massive Dorcadion species, by body shape and robust head with strong mandibles resembling Lamia textor, is connected with occurence of feather-grass (Stipa spp., Poaceae) which serves as its host plant. We observed and collected majority of these interesting rare beetles climbing or hanging and feeding on feather-grass' stalks and blades. Beetles were very active during short afternoon period (13:00-15:00).
Body length: 12 - 25 mm Life cycle: 1 year Adults in: May - June Host plant: feather-grass (Stipa spp., Poaceae) Distribution: Armenia, Iran and Turkey
The depicted beetles were collected and photographed on the host plant (Stipa ssp.) in mountain semi-desert locality of Ashotsk Plateau (elevation 2200 m) located ca 6 km NNW of Amasia (Shirak province, North-West Armenia) on June 15th, 2012.Collected by M.Hoskovec
Dorcadion mniszechi mniszechi ♂ [Photo © M.Hoskovec]
Dorcadion mniszechi mniszechi ♀♀ [Photo © M.Hoskovec]
Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Dorcadiini Thomson, 1860
Genus: Dorcadion Dalman, 1817
Subgenus: Cribridorcadion Pic, 1901
Species: Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) mniszechi Kraatz, 1873
Subspecies: Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) mniszechi mniszechi Kraatz, 1873