''Morimus asper'' is a species of

beetle Beetles are insects that form the Taxonomic rank, order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 40 ...

in family

Cerambycidae The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), also known as long-horned or longicorns (whose larvae are often referred to as roundheaded borers), are a large family of beetles, with over 35,000 species described. Most species are characterized by anten ...

Etymology

The genus name "Morimus" derives from the Greek word "μόριμος" or "mórimos", meaning "destined to die", while the Latin species name "asper" (meaning "rough") refers to the surface of the elytra.

Subspecies

*''Morimus asper asper'' (Sulzer, 1767) *''Morimus asper funereus'' Mulsant, 1863 *''Morimus asper ganglbaueri'' Reitter, 1884 *''Morimus asper verecundus'' (Faldermann, 1836)

Description

''Morimus asper'' can reach a length of . This large and massive longhorn beetle has a black, elongated and oval body with very short, gray-brown hair and elytra are grainy over the entire surface. Males have more developed antennae. The subspecies ''Morimus asper funereus'' has gray-blue elytra with dark spots. The larvae are polyphagous, feeding mainly on deciduous and coniferous trees. Adults can be found from March to October. They feed on bark, leaves and stems. Usually they hide during the day. Mating and oviposition take places mainly in the evening and at night, when they are active. Fights between the males with severe damages are common.

Distribution

This species is widespread in southwestern, south and southeastern Europe (

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and

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), and

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. In Spain it occupies the northern fringe between the provinces of

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and the Basque Country.

References

Biolib

Fauna Europaea

Worldwide Cerambycoidea Photo Gallery
* Müller, Josef 1949: "I Coleotteri della Venezia Giulia. Catalogo ragionato, Vol. II: Coleoptera Phytophaga" Trieste Centro Sperimentale Agrario e Forestale publicazione n.4 1953, Phrissomini Beetles described in 1776 {{Phrissomini-stub