Ergates faber (Linnaeus, 1761)
ssp. faber (Linnaeus, 1761)

Subfamilia: PRIONINAE  /  Tribus: ERGATINI

Ergates faber
[Photo © Lech Kruszelnicki]


Larvae of this beautiful species, belonging among the the biggest European longhorn beetles, develop in tree stumps and fallen logs, mainly of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The adults are active around sunset and can be found from late July until late August-early September.

Body length:23 - 60 mm
Life cycle:at least 3 years
Adults in:July - September
Host plant:coniferous trees, prefers pine (Pinus)
Distribution:Central and South Europe, Caucasus, Turkey


The depicted mounted beetles were reared from larvae found in Boguchwałowice at Siewierz (Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship) on April 17, 1996. The living specimens were found hidden in their emergence holes in a trunk of a dead pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Doksy (Czechia) in July 1991.

Collected by Lech Kruszelnicki and M.Hoskovec


Ergates faber faber - male
Ergates faber faber - male
Ergates faber faber
Ergates faber faber - female
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]


Ergates faber faber - female
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]

Subfamilia: Prioninae Latreille, 1802
Tribus: Ergatini Fairmaire, 1864
Genus: Ergates Audinet-Serville, 1832
Species: Ergates faber (Linnaeus, 1761)
Subpecies: Ergates faber faber (Linnaeus, 1761)