Callidium coriaceum Paykull, 1800
[= Palaeocallidium coriaceum (Paykull, 1800)]

Subfamilia: CERAMBYCINAE  /  Tribus: CALLIDIINI

Callidium coriaceum
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]





Callidium coriaceum is a rare mountainous species associated with mainly spruce in Central Europe. In N Slovak Republic the authors of this site have once observed the species flying to a dying spruce of a large diameter. One day spent in a close proximity to the tree resulted in capturing about 12 specimens of this rare animal. Although the beetle seems to be coloured in a rather striking way it is very difficult to see it on the bark of a spruce. Moreover the beetles tend to hide in bark crevices as soon as they land. The larvae of this species feed subcortically and later they enter the sapwood where they build the pupal cells. Recently dead standing spruce trees are the preferred larval substrate.

Body length:8 - 16 mm
Life cycle:2 years
Adults in:June - August
Host plant:coniferous trees (Picea, Abies, Pinus)
Distribution:Central, East and North Europe, France


The depicted beetle was found on a dying Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Liptovská Porúbka (NE Slovakia).

Collected by M.Hoskovec


Subfamilia: Cerambycinae Latreille, 1802
Tribus: Callidiini Mulsant, 1839
Genus: Callidium Fabricius, 1775
Species: Callidium coriaceum Paykull, 1800