Oplosia cinerea (Mulsant, 1839)
[= Oplosia fennica (Paykull, 1800)]

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: DESMIPHORINI
Oplosia cinerea
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]




Larvae of Oplosia cinerea were recorded from a variety of deciduos trees. In Central Europe, however, the species prefers lime (Tilia). Oplosia cinerea develops in old decaying and very moist branches of dead hosts, and usually in the ones lying on the ground. The larvae feed subcortically and partially in the bark. Later they create a shallow pupal cell in the moist substrate and secure themselves there with a wad of fibrous frass resembling that of Saperda sprcies.

Body length:8 - 13 mm
Life cycle:1 year
Adults in:May - July
Host plant:polyphagous in deciduous tree
Distribution:Europe, Russia, Caucasus


The beetles in the pictures were reared from a dead lime (Tilia cordata) branch found in Dymokury (Central Bohemia, Czech Republic).

Collected by M.Hoskovec


Oplosia cinerea
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]

Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Desmiphorini Thomson, 1860
Genus: Oplosia Mulsant, 1863
Species: Oplosia cinerea (Mulsant, 1839)