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Classification Coleoptera Family: Elateridae
Home > Coleoptera >> ElateridaeSize: 14-21mm.
Description Larger specimens of this species are among biggest Elaterids in Britain. Quite an elongated species that is predominantly an orange/brown colour over the head, pronotum and elytra. Approximately half way down the elytra there is a slightly darker crossline curving towards the pronotum, with another crossline further towards the posterior of the elytra curving down towards the tips. The legs and antenae are uniformly orange/brown, with the antennae extending
Life Cycle The larvae are associated predominantly with Beech (Fagus sylvatica), but are reported from a number of other broadleaved species. They occur under loose bark of dead trees and sometimes in the wood layers just beneath. They are predatory feeding on the larvae of Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Two, possibly more summers are spent in the larval stage, with pupation occurring in the spring. Imagos are crepuscular and nocturnal and are attracted to light.
Phenology
Distribution
Habitat Broadleaved woodland.
By This image is created by user Dick Belgers at waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands. [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
