Tragosoma

Tragosoma

*Tragosoma* Audinet-Serville, 1832 is one of Europe's most charismatic boreal longhorns, a robust, dark-brown beetle reaching 20–40 mm in length. A true relic of primeval forest, it depends entirely on large-diameter dead or dying conifers — principally *Pinus* and *Picea* — where larvae spend two to four years burrowing through roots and decaying wood. Strictly nocturnal and drawn to UV light, adults fly in July and August, rarely encountered except near remnant old-growth stands or in the aftermath of natural forest fires. Declining across much of its range, it is widely regarded as a flagship indicator of boreal forest continuity.

Seasonal activity

Flight season: Summer–Autumn

Green = active months · Orange = peak

Host plants

Primary hosts: pine

External resources

GBIF · Wikidata · Käfer der Welt

Field tip: Nocturnal, often large; attracted to light (UV lamp). Hosts: Picea. Boreal species — northern/montane forests.