Longhorn Beetle Stictoleptura cordigera.

[nomad]

I like the Longhorn Beetles. Even the smaller European species can be attractive such as this distinctive heart shaped Flower Longhorn Stictoleptura cordigera. This species has very recently established itself in Britain.


S. cordigera Col de Vizzavona 1200 meters.

[weymouthent]

Thanks for this Peter,I too am keen on longhorn beetles recording all of the longhorn that I encounter, however, I have never heard of this species and I am interested to read of it here, I will have to keep a look out for it, although with those marking it should be easy to spot, any idea whereabouts in the UK it is so far recorded from? Cheers, Mick

[nomad]

Nice to see you can a interest in Longhorns Mick. I have sent a message to the entomologist who told me that this beauty has turned up here, he mentions that it is highly unlikely that it is a deliberate introduction but you never know. If he sends more information, I will post it here.

[nomad]

It seems a colony of S cordigera has turned up in a large area of grassland that was once a marsh. Hackney Marshes, now in the Borough of London. It does seem a strange place for a new British beetle species that is not a introduction, to colonize, one would have thought that it would arrive in a southern coastal county. Perhaps, the larvae were imported with wood. I do believe that this is mainly a Southern European Longhorn. 

[weymouthent]

Thanks for that Peter, Yes, I agree it does seem an odd place for a recent colonist, a nice addition to the UK fauna all the same, I will keep a look out for further news about this species, Thanks again.
Cheers
Mick