Longhorn Beetle (Strangalia maculata)
Observation - Longhorn Beetle (Strangalia maculata) - UK and Ireland. Description: As you wander the lanes and footpaths of Dorset keep an eye on the flower heads of the white umbellifer species now in flower, especially Hogweed. Amongst the many insects you will find is this striking longhorn beetle. It has no English or common name
As you wander the lanes and footpaths of Dorset keep an eye on the flower heads of the white umbellifer species now in flower, especially Hogweed.
Amongst the many insects you will find is this striking longhorn beetle. It has no English or common name so you will have to remember it is Strangalia maculata. Maculata tends to infer spotted and this beetle has black spots on a copper coloured background. This gives it a 'wasp-like' dangerous appearance to would be predators but it is quite harmless.
Its is quite big (about half an inch long) and so it is easily spotted and once it gets its head into a good helping of Hogweed pollen it seems to become oblivious to surrounding activity and so is quite easy to get a close look at.
It is one of my favourite beetles and I look forward every summer to seeing it.