Macrotoma

Macrotoma

*Macrotoma* Audinet-Serville, 1832 belongs to the Prioninae and ranks among the largest longhorn beetles occurring at the western Palaearctic margins. Reaching 25–55 mm, adults are robust, flattened, and dark brown, with powerfully built bodies adapted for nocturnal flight. The genus is centred on tropical and sub-Saharan Africa, barely entering the West Palaearctic in northern Africa and Arabia. Larvae develop deep in the heartwood of various large trees, and in parts of Africa they are traditionally collected as an edible food source.

Seasonal activity

Flight season: Summer–Autumn

Green = active months · Orange = peak

Host plants

Primary hosts: oak

External resources

GBIF · Käfer der Welt

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