COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > CHRYSOMELOIDEA > Cerambycidae

Lepturinae - the lepturine beetles, also known as 'flower longhorns', are typically the most common members of the family in most areas. There are 25 recognised species on the latest checklist (Duff, 2012), which are in 18 genera, separated into two distinct tribes, Lepturini and Rhagiini.

Most species are long and slender, often with tapering elytra, and a constricted head, which gives the impression that they have a neck, unlike the species that were covered on the previous page where the head and pronotum merge.

As far as I can ascertain, there are around 12-15 lepturine species that could possibly be found locally.

Two of the most frequently encountered are the rather variably-marked Rutpela maculata (Black-and-Yellow Longhorn), and the sexually dimorphic Stenurella melanura (Black-striped Longhorn), the sex of which is determined by the markings, not the colour. Unfortunately, the attractive Leptura quadrifasciata (Four-banded Longhorn) seems to be far less common. In fact, I've only seen the one individual, unlike Rutpela maculata that I can regularly find at a number of locations.  

Paracorymbia fulva (Tawny Longhorn) is 'nationally scarce'. I've seen it a couple of times, but the photos I took a few years ago at Cashmoor Down remain the best. Interestingly, when checking the NBN Atlas records just prior to updating this page I noted that there have still only been four official records of this species from Dorset over the past twenty-five years compared with over fifty from South Hampshire. There is a large difference though regarding the total number of longhorn records between the two vice counties, which I guess is simply down to the much greater expanse of woodland habitat with the New Forest; three times as many when I checked (878 v 2563). The records for Stenocorus meridianus (Variable Longhorn) follow a similar pattern, because although it's one of the most frequently sighted species in Dorset, it's quite a way down the list in South Hampshire, but with nearly twice as many records.

Superficially similar to Paracorymbia fulva with tawny elytra, are Alosterna tabacicolor (Tobacco-coloured Longhorn) and Pseudovadonia livida (Fairy-ring Longhorn), both of which are supposedly common in my area. They can both be found in woodland, although the latter also occurs on heathland and grassland. I'm not sure why I haven't come across them as yet and assume it's simply down to being in the right area at the right time of year. The same goes with Rhagium bifasciatum (Two-banded Longhorn) and Rhagium mordax (Black-spotted Longhorn), which are also regarded as common in most woodlands.

In addition, there are two much rarer species that I'd like to find; the 'near threatened' Anoplodera sexguttata (Six- spotted Longhorn) and the local 'nationally scarce' Leptura aurulenta (Golden-haired Longhorn) that can both be found at a few locations in the New Forest.

And finally, there's the plain, dark-coloured species that I've photographed; Stictoleptura scutellata (Large Black Longhorn), which is 'nationally scarce' and, although frequently found in the New Forest, has only been officially recorded once from Dorset; and Grammoptera ruficornis (Common Grammoptera), which is one of our smallest longhorn species at just 3-7mm long.

Having now looked at every longhorn beetle that has been recorded from my general area during the past few years, I've identified fourteen additional species that could possibly be found. Of course, that's far easier said than done, but at least it gives me a list and supports my initial view that 15-20 species is a possible target.

Unless I've photographed something particularly special, I tend to update these pages at the end of each season rather than on an ad hoc basis, but it will be interesting to see how long it takes for the next species to be added.

New page added, Jan.25 (v.1)