Kingdom Animalia Order Coleoptera Subfamily Cerambycinae Scientific name Aromia moschata Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Family Cerambycidae Genus Aromia Higher classification Aromia | |
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Similar Aromia, Beetle, Longhorn beetle, Insect, Cerambyx cerdo | ||
Aromia moschata moschusbock musk beetle
The musk beetle (Aromia moschata) is a Eurasian species of longhorn beetle belonging to the subfamily Cerambycinae, tribe Callichromatini. Its name comes from the delicate musky smell it emits when menaced.
Contents
Musk beetles together
Description
This beetle is characterised by very long antennae (like all other cerambycids) and a somewhat coppery or greenish metallic tint. The typical form, characterised by a pronotum with a metallic color, is widespread in Europe, except for most of Spain and Southern Italy. In such regions, in North Africa, and in Asia to Japan, the species is represented by some subspecies characterised by a more or less red pronotum. The antennae are longer than the entire head and body length in male and as long as body in females. Nevertheless, the Oriental subspecies have usually shorter antennae.
The musk beetle can be found in Great Britain locally, for example at Caldicot and Wentloog Levels otherwise known as Gwent Levels SSSI
Biology
The adults are usually found on leaves, especially those of the willow trees, where the larva of this species lives. The secretion with the characteristic musky smell is produced in thoracic glands, and is expelled through openings located on the distal part of the metasternum, near the hind legs articulation. The secretion was formerly supposed to contain salicylaldehyde or a salicylic ether, but there is now evidence that it consists instead mainly of four different monoterpenes, among which rose oxide, one of the most important fragrances in perfumery.