Cerambyx welensii is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles).

Cerambyx welensii
Cerambyx welensii. Museum specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Cerambycidae
Genus: Cerambyx
Species:
C. welensii
Binomial name
Cerambyx welensii
(Küster, 1846)
Synonyms
  • Cerambyx velutinus Brullé, 1832 (nec Fabricius, 1775)
  • Hammaticherus welensii Küster, 1846
  • Cerambyx centurio Czawallina, 1891
  • Cerambyx velutinus tuniseus Pic, 189

Subspecies edit

Subspecies include:[1]

  • Cerambyx welensii centurio Czwalina, 1891
  • Cerambyx welensii welensii Küster, 1846

Distribution edit

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.[1][2][3]

Description edit

Cerambyx welensii can reach a length of 25–58 millimetres (0.98–2.28 in).[4] 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.[4] This species is rather similar to Cerambyx carinatus.[1] and to Cerambyx cerdo.[5]

Biology edit

Larvae of these beetles are xylophagous. They mainly feed on downy oak (Quercus pubescens), evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) and cork oak (Quercus suber).[1] These longhorn beetle are considered a pest of oaks.[6] Females are polyandrous and males are polygynous.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Biolib
  2. ^ "Cerambyx welensii (Kuster, 1846)". Fauna Europaea. Fauna Europaea Secretariat, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  3. ^ Cerambycoidea
  4. ^ a b Parchi, foreste e Natura (in Italian)
  5. ^ LIFE MIPP
  6. ^ a b Torres-Vila, L. M.; Mendiola-Diaz, F. J.; Conejo-Rodríguez, Y.; Sánchez-González, Á. (2016). "Reproductive traits and number of matings in males and females of Cerambyx welensii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) an emergent pest of oaks". Bulletin of Entomological Research. 106 (3): 292–303. doi:10.1017/S0007485315000747. PMID 26490198.