CerambycidaePrioninaePrioniniMonocladum

Monocladum

Central Asian Monocladum
PrioninaePrionini
W. Palearctic spp.
1
Body length
15–28 mm
Activity
Nocturnal
Flight season
Summer
Overwinters as
larva
Larva type
MRTVE_TV
Biotope
forest-saproxylic
Overview

Monocladum

*Monocladum* [auct., verify] is a small, robust genus of Prioninae beetles confined to the arid steppe landscapes of Central Asia, where adults emerge nocturnally during the warm summer months. Measuring 15–28 mm, these brown to dark-coloured beetles are largely glabrous and strongly flattened in cross-section. The single known species is associated with the roots of steppe shrubs, with larvae burrowing deep into heartwood over a development period of two to five years. Adults are strongly attracted to UV light and do not appear to feed, making light-trapping the most reliable method of observation.

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 beech

QuercusFagus
⚑ Conservation note: none

External resources

GBIF · Käfer der Welt

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