Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles)

The long­horn beetles (Ceram­bycidae) are amongst the most "popular" beetle families and hence lots of research has been carried out on the family. The small to very large beetles are distributed worldwide (approx. 27,000 species). From Germany 195 species have been recorded. The beetles are characterized by their oblong body shape and their long antennae (family name!). The species feed on pollen or sap oozing from trees. The larvae develop on wood or herbaceous plants. Several are serious pests, with the larvae boring into wood, where they can cause extensive damage to either living trees or untreated lumber.