Cerambyx welensii

Cerambyx welensii is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. This species demonstrates sexual dimorphism, characterized by physical and behavioral differences between males and females, due to their varying body and antenna sizes.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:Cerambyx welensii centurio Czwalina, 1891 Cerambyx welensii welensii Küster, 1846

Distribution

This species is widespread in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. It is present in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Azerbaijan.

Description

Cerambyx welensii can reach a length of. These beetles have an elongated body. Antennae of males extend beyond the apex of the elytra by last three antennal segments. The basic color is brownish, with clearer apex of the elytra. Elytra are entirely covered by a thick, white to yellowish setae and have rounded apex. The pronotum shows a thorny tubercle on its sides. This species is rather similar to Cerambyx carinatus and to Cerambyx cerdo.

Biology

Larvae of these beetles are xylophagous. They mainly feed on downy oak, evergreen oak and cork oak. These longhorn beetle are considered a pest of oaks. Females are polyandrous and males are polygynous.