Callidium aeneum aeneum inhabits in Europe coniferous forests even in non-native habitats. Development under the bark of both branches and thin trunks of freshly dead, weakened or dying conifers (Pinus, Picea, Larix, Abies) with diameter typically 3-10 cm (rarely with smaller or bigger diameter). Before entering the wood, the larva bores a typical wide flat gallery. Pupation in the hook-shape pupal cell in the wood at depths of about 30 mm in spring, life cycle one or two years. Adults can be found on logs or dying branches in May-June (in mountains up to August). Rather a crepuscular species, flying occasionally during the day.

Body length:	8 - 15 mm
Life cycle:	1 - 2 years
Adults in:	May - July
Host plant:	oligophagous in conifers (Pinus, Picea, Larix, Abies)
Distribution:	Albania, Austria, Belgiumi, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

The depicted living beetles were reared from larvae found in a dead pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area (Central Bohemia, Czechia). The mounted female was reared from a larva found in a dead branch of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) collected in Stará Boleslav (Central Bohemia, Czechi).

Collected by Miroslav Polcar and M.Hoskovec