Kingdom Animalia Suborder Polyphaga Family Cerambycidae Phylum Arthropoda Order Beetle | Class Insecta Superfamily Chrysomeloidea Subfamily Lepturinae Rank Species | |
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Blosyropus spinosus, also known as the spiny longhorn or spiny silver-pine borer, is a rare species of longhorn beetle endemic to New Zealand.
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Distribution and habitat
Blosyropus spinosus has been found in forest in many areas of New Zealand. Its larvae have been discovered in rotting logs of a variety of trees including tawa, Dracophyllum, pōhutakawa, and red beech, as well as in podocarp forest. It is a Category I Threatened Species.
Description
Blosyropus spinosus is one of the largest endemic beetles in New Zealand, growing to around 46mm long. It is nocturnal, and flightless. B. spinosus is dark brown in colour with yellowish hairs on its body. Its key distinguishing characteristic is the pair of spines on its head, one above each eye, and the four spines in front of its elytra.
Behaviour
The adult beetle is attracted to lights.