Agapanthia (Epoptes) probsti Holzschuh, 1984

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: AGAPANTHIINI
Agapanthia probsti
[Photo © M.Rejzek]

Agapanthia probsti is a species endemic to Crete (Greece). The beetle develops in Asphodeline liburnica. Similarly to other Agapanthia species larvae of Agapanthia probsti feed in stalks of living hosts. The pupal cell is built in the stalk rather than the roots although it may occur very close to ground level. The last instar larva girdles the stalk above the pupal cell and secures the gallery at this point by a wad of fibrous frass. The emerging adult leaves the stalk by biting an oval emergence hole in its side (see picture), usually about 1 cm below the cut.

Body length:12 - 16 mm
Life cycle:1 year
Adults in:May - June
Host plant:Asphodeline liburnica
Distribution:a species endemic to Crete


A young instar larva of the depicted beetle was collected in July, 2003 in Theriso S Hania (Central Crete, Greece) and the adult hatched in April, 2004.

Collected by M.Rejzek


Holzschuh C.:
Beschreibung von 24 neuen Bockkäfern aus Europa und Asien, vorwiegend aus dem Himalaya (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).
Entomologica Basiliensa 9: 340-372, 1984. [download pdf icon]

Agapanthia probsti
[Photo © M.Rejzek]

Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Agapanthiini Mulsant, 1839
Genus: Agapanthia Audinet-Serville, 1835
Subgenus: Epoptes Gistl, 1857
Species: Agapanthia (Epoptes) probsti Holzschuh, 1984