Clytus

Clytus

Among the most recognisable cerambycids of European woodlands, *Clytus* species are strikingly patterned in black and yellow or white transverse fasciae — a near-perfect Batesian mimicry of wasps that affords them remarkable protection from predators. Adults are diurnal and fast-moving, running across sun-exposed deadwood and visiting flowers to feed on pollen and nectar from May to August. Females oviposit into weakened or freshly dying standing trees, never in felled timber; larvae carve long, largely straight subcortical galleries — reaching 50–80 cm — before gradually entering the sapwood to complete development. With six species in Europe and 30 across the Palaearctic, *C. arietis* (L.,…

Seasonal activity

Flight season: Summer–Autumn

Green = active months · Orange = peak

Host plants

Primary hosts: oak pine beech

External resources

GBIF · Wikidata · Käfer der Welt

Field tip: C. arietis — perfect wasp mimic! Runs on sun-exposed timber and flowers (May–Aug). Hosts: Quercus, Fagus, Carpinus.