Wasp beetle of the longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) family is mostly found in the United Kingdom. This small beetle species gets its name because of its ability to mimic wasps in coloration, behavior, and movement. This trait of theirs makes the wasp beetles a Batesian mimic (a mechanism where a harmless species imitates the signals of a harmful one as a defense strategy), helping them safeguard themselves from their predators.
Size: 9 – 18 mm (0.35 – 0.71 inches)
Color: They have a black body with yellow bands, alongcol3 brown legs.
Other Characteristic Features: These narrow-bodied beetles have shorter antennae compared to the other longhorn beetle species.
They are small, with a white hairy appearance.
The larva mostly feeds and thrives in dead woods, where it gradually emerges into a pupa.
They appear tiny and round, laid on decayed wood.
| Lifespan | 2 – 5 months |
| Distribution | Parts of the United Kingdom mostly in Wales and England, and rarely in Scotland |
| Habitat | Larvae: Areas of warm and dry dead wood, mostly that of birch and willow trees Adults: Woodlands, parks, gardens, hedgerows |
| Common Predators | Mostly birds |
| Seasons active from | May-August (summer) |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Deciduous dead wood Adults: Pollen and nectar from flowers between late spring and early summer; small invertebrates, mostly eaten by females to obtain the required protein needed for laying eggs |
Image Source: content.eol.org, warrenphotographic.co.uk, i.pinimg.com
Wasp beetle of the longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) family is mostly found in the United Kingdom. This small beetle species gets its name because of its ability to mimic wasps in coloration, behavior, and movement. This trait of theirs makes the wasp beetles a Batesian mimic (a mechanism where a harmless species imitates the signals of a harmful one as a defense strategy), helping them safeguard themselves from their predators.
Size: 9 – 18 mm (0.35 – 0.71 inches)
Color: They have a black body with yellow bands, alongcol3 brown legs.
Other Characteristic Features: These narrow-bodied beetles have shorter antennae compared to the other longhorn beetle species.
They are small, with a white hairy appearance.
The larva mostly feeds and thrives in dead woods, where it gradually emerges into a pupa.
They appear tiny and round, laid on decayed wood.
| Lifespan | 2 – 5 months |
| Distribution | Parts of the United Kingdom mostly in Wales and England, and rarely in Scotland |
| Habitat | Larvae: Areas of warm and dry dead wood, mostly that of birch and willow trees Adults: Woodlands, parks, gardens, hedgerows |
| Common Predators | Mostly birds |
| Seasons active from | May-August (summer) |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Deciduous dead wood Adults: Pollen and nectar from flowers between late spring and early summer; small invertebrates, mostly eaten by females to obtain the required protein needed for laying eggs |
Image Source: content.eol.org, warrenphotographic.co.uk, i.pinimg.com
