Echinocerus
Echinocerus
*Echinocerus* Mulsant, 1863 is a small genus of four West Palaearctic species, all occurring in Europe, where they inhabit steppes, forest-steppes, and unmanaged grasslands up to approximately 800 m altitude. Unlike most members of the tribe, these beetles develop not in woody stems but in the roots and stem bases of herbaceous plants, with females depositing eggs into the soil at the base of host plants; young larvae first feed subcortically before penetrating to the root core. Adults are diurnal to crepuscular, flower-visiting beetles active from May to August, displaying striking yellow-and-black wasp-like coloration.
Seasonal activity
Flight season: Summer–Autumn
Green = active months · Orange = peak
Host plants
Primary hosts: herb
External resources
Field tip: Wasp mimic! On sun-exposed wood and flowers. Hosts: Apiaceae / Asteraceae. Steppe/dry habitat.