Long-whiskered beetle: photo and name of family representatives
Longhorn beetles in their numbers occupy the fifth place among all relatives. They are made unique by the presence of segmented whiskers, which can be 5 times longer than the body. There are more than 26000 varieties. Insects are of particular interest to entomologist collectors. The cost of some dried specimens reaches $ 1000.
Content
Barbel beetles: photo
Description of barbs
Name: Family of barbels or lumberjacks
Latin: CerambycidaeClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Coleoptera - Coleoptera
 | Habitats: | any place where there are a lot of trees |
 | Dangerous for: | various trees, there are also useful |
 | Means of destruction: | prevention, biological, natural enemies |
Barbels.
The body is elongated or rounded. It depends on the species. The largest individuals reach 26 cm. The body is covered with a strong chitinous shell with hard elytra.
Coloring can be creamy yellow, lettuce, lemon, pink, brown, purple, black. On the body there may be combined patterns in the form of stripes, spots, curls. The color is influenced by the habitat and species.
Wings are thin. With the help of whiskers, they navigate and control changes around them. Feeling danger, the insect hides by folding its whiskers along the body.
Life cycle of barbel
Beetles are able to actively move over long distances. Thus, they expand their habitat. The life span varies within 1-2 years.
After mating, the female lays eggs. A clutch can contain about 400 eggs. Usually this process occurs in wet grass, soft bark, crevices, holes between boards and logs.
The rapid formation of young growth depends on moist warm conditions. The larvae are white in color and have a dark head. With the help of tenacious outgrowths, they are able to move. With a powerful jaw preparation, they gnaw through passages in hard trees.
While pupating, adults emerge to the surface. Then the beetles find a mate for themselves to produce offspring.
Barbel habitat
Mustache beetle.
Barbels live on all continents, except for the Arctic and Antarctic due to the lack of a food supply. Insects settle in any forests where there are many trees.
Habitats - outer layers of logs, furniture, trunks, wooden structures. Cold and dry weather forces the larvae to hide deeper. Preservation of viability can reach several tens. When optimal conditions appear, they are activated.
barbel diet
The appearance affects taste preferences. Adults feed on pollen, succulent parts of plants, young shoots, bark, and flowers. Some varieties prefer roots, humus, earth. Only the larvae eat the wood.
Each species has a preference for a particular breed.
Varieties of barbel
Each species differs in size, color, habitat, diet. These types are among the most common.
Signs of the appearance of barbels
Most of these beetles are tree pests. Therefore, they are found near or on plants, sometimes right on trees. The characteristic features include:
- wood dust near walls, structures and furniture;
- the appearance of a dull sound when hitting hard wood with a hand;
- when a hammer strikes soft rock, a faint sound appears and the surface sags.
Interesting facts about barbels
Some unusual insect facts:
- the bite is not dangerous to humans;
Black barbel beetle.
- beetles eat little, as they can feed on accumulated reserves;
- females are able to secrete special pheromones that scare away other females;
- the life expectancy of adults is 3 months, and larvae up to 10 years;
- insects spend a lot of time on flowers, pollinating most of the territories. As a result, some plants managed to survive.
Conclusion
Barbels can be safely called one of the most dangerous wood pests. Adults do no damage. Only larvae can damage wooden structures, furniture, and also reduce the number of trees in the forest. It should be understood that getting rid of pests is very difficult. With the help of chemicals, a thorough treatment of the entire tree in a residential area is carried out or a pest control service is called.
Previous