Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776)
ssp. verecundus (Faldermann, 1836)

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: PHRISSOMINI
Morimus asper verecundus
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]

The taxonomic status of Euro-Anatolian Morimus species is unclear, but the recent [❖] and by presented data very well supported work of Emanuaela Solano et al. says:
"The genetic variability among Euro-Anatolian Morimus populations and the geographical structure suggest that they can not be ascribed to the currently accepted five W Palaearctic Morimus species and may actually represent a single, genetically and morphologically variable biological species (M. asper), highlighting the necessity of an extended taxonomical revision."

The existence of only one, very variable M. asper taxon, is supported also by authors of this site. But until well done revision of the Morimus genus, the traditional division to several taxa will be preserved here.

Body length:15 - 38 mm
Life cycle:several years
Adults in:April - August
Host plant:polyphagous in deciduous tress, prefers beech (Fagus)
Distribution:Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, NW Iran


The living beetle was reared from a larva collected in beech (Fagus) in the surroundings of Gorgan, North Iran. The mounted specimens were collected in Hopa (NE Turkey).

Collected by M.Rejzek


[❖]
Solano E., Mancini E., Ciucci P., Mason F., Audisio P., Antonini G.:
The EU protected taxon Morimus funereus Mulsant, 1862 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and its western Palaearctic allies: systematics and conservation outcomes.
Conservation Genetics 14: 683–694, 2013. [download pdf icon]

Morimus asper verecundus
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]
Morimus asper verecundus
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]

Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Phrissomini Thomson, 1860
Genus: Morimus Brullé, 1832
Species: Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776)
Subspecies: Morimus asper verecundus (Faldermann, 1836)