Subfamilia: LAMIINAE / Tribus: SAPERDINI
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]
Although this nice Saperda species used to be quite rare in Central Europe, it has now become more frequent. The species develops in various poplars (Populus). In Central Bohemia, however, it prefers aspen (Populus tremula). The larvae feed subcortically in trunks or branches of the dead hosts. They require a very moist substrate. Pupation occurs in sapwood. Interestingly, the colour of the adults is determined by the larval host. The integument of beetles that have developped in aspen (P. tremula) is regularly of a yellow-green or yellow-grey colour, whereas beetles that have developed in white poplar (P. alba) are usually grey (prototypical mimicry).
Body length: 12 - 20 mm Life cycle: 1 - 2 years Adults in: May - July Host plant: poplars (Populus spp.) Distribution: West-Palaearctic except SW Europe
The depicted beetles were reared from larvae and pupae collected in Lodrant near Pardubice (East Bohemia, Czechia), Mníšek pod Brdy (Central Bohemia, Czechia) and Pohansko (South Moravia, Czechia).Collected by M.Hoskovec
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]
Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Saperdini Mulsant, 1839
Genus: Saperda Fabricius, 1775
Subgenus: Saperda perforata (Pallas, 1773)