CerambycidaePrioninaeMacrotominiMallodon

Mallodon

African Mallodon
PrioninaeMacrotomini
W. Palearctic spp.
1
European spp.
1
Body length
25–50 mm
Activity
Nocturnal
Flight season
Summer–Autumn
Overwinters as
larva
Larva type
MRTVE_TV
Biotope
forest-saproxylic
Overview

Mallodon

*Mallodon* [auct., verify] is a large, robust longhorn beetle of subfamily Prioninae, reaching 25–50 mm in length and immediately recognisable by its dark brown, near-glabrous body and powerful build. Within the West Palaearctic the genus is represented by a single species, *M. arabicum*, confined to Yemen's remote Socotra Island at altitudes of 0–800 m. Adults are strongly nocturnal and capable fliers, regularly attracted to UV light sources, while larvae develop over several years deep within the wood of various tropical host trees. The genus is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, making the Socotra population a remarkable biogeographic outlier.

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

QuercusFicusAcacia
⚑ Conservation note: none

External resources

GBIF · Käfer der Welt

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