Casiphia

Eastern Casiphia
PrioninaeCantharocnemini
W. Palearctic spp.
4
European spp.
1
Body length
15–35 mm
Activity
Nocturnal
Flight season
Summer–Autumn
Overwinters as
larva
Larva type
MRTVE_TV
Biotope
forest-saproxylic
Overview

Casiphia

*Casiphia* [auct., verify] represents a robust and largely nocturnal lineage of Prioninid longhorn beetles, with body lengths ranging from 15 to 35 mm and a characteristically flattened, brown to dark coloration. The genus is essentially Oriental in distribution, reaching the western Palaearctic only marginally, with a single species recorded from Europe. Adults are strong fliers, active mainly between June and September, and are reliably attracted to UV light after dark. Larvae develop slowly — over two to five years — deep within the heartwood of dead or dying broadleaf trees in montane forests, typically between 500 and 2500 metres elevation.

Seasonal activity

Flight season: Summer–Autumn

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Green = active months · Orange = peak

Host plants

Primary hosts: oak pine beech

QuercusFagusAbies
⚑ Conservation note: none

External resources

GBIF · Käfer der Welt

Field tip: Nocturnal, often large; attracted to light (UV lamp).