Dinoptera

Dinoptera

*Dinoptera* is a small but conspicuous genus of longhorn beetles, immediately recognisable by the vivid red pronotum contrasting with dark elytra — a combination that makes adults among the most eye-catching spring visitors to woodland flowers. With only a single species in Europe, the genus is modest in diversity yet widespread across Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus. Adults appear from May to June, frequenting flowers of Apiaceae and Rosaceae at forest edges, woodland meadows, gardens and parks. Larvae develop in the bark and wood of dead deciduous branches and roots, sometimes moving freely beneath loosely attached bark before entering soil to overwinter and pupate.

Seasonal activity

Flight season: Summer

Green = active months · Orange = peak

Host plants

Primary hosts: oak poplar birch

External resources

GBIF · Wikidata · Käfer der Welt

Field tip: On flowers (Apiaceae, Rosaceae) in forests and margins. Hosts: Betula.