Mesoprionus
Mediterranean Mesoprionus
PrioninaePrionini
W. Palearctic spp.
5
European spp.
6
Body length
20–40 mm
Activity
Nocturnal
Flight season
Summer
Overwinters as
larva
Larva type
MRTVE_TV
Biotope
forest-saproxylic
Overview
Mesoprionus
*Mesoprionus* Jakovlev, 1887 is a small genus of massive, dark-bodied longhorn beetles belonging to the subfamily Prioninae. Six species are known from the western Palaearctic, with a single representative reaching Europe. Adults are nocturnal and strong fliers, active from June to September, while larvae develop over two to five years in the roots of dead and dying deciduous trees. The genus is distributed across southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, with populations typically occurring from sea level to around 1,000 m altitude.
Seasonal activity
Flight season: Summer
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Green = active months · Orange = peak
Host plants
Primary hosts: oak
QuercusPrunusVitis
⚑ Conservation note: none
External resources
Field tip: Nocturnal, often large; attracted to light (UV lamp).