Comments on: Longhorn Borer Beetle from India

By: kkroeker

kkroeker — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:12:13 +0000

Hello again Esthar: I would like to correct the identification I previously suggested for this beautiful longicorn beetle. The correct species is Olenecamptus bilobus (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Dorcaschematini). There are numerous subspecies and as a group they are widespread throughout south and southeast Asia, as far north as Taiwan and Japan. The large spots on the elytra can be either red or white, usually bright red in India. Apparently the red color fades to white in dried specimens. The extremely long antennae (more than twice the body length in males) are also characteristic. In India they are considered a pest on a variety of fig species. The same beetle was posted again on this site by Mohit from New Delhi (April 12, 2009): http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/04/13/unknown-longicorn-beetle-from-india/). There are numerous photos on the internet; check out: http://www.insectsofindia.in/imagedetails.php?id=177
Regards. K

By: kkroeker

kkroeker — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:03:10 +0000

Hi esthar2001@yahoo.com. Most longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) are fairly drab so I thought yours would be relatively easy to track down – not so. I suspect that your beetle is either uncommon or hasn’t made itself and agricultural or forestry pest. I took several approaches and all trails seemed to lead to the genus Batocera (sufamily Lamiinae). This genus includes several notorious pests, perhaps most notably the mango stem-borer (Batocera rufomaculata), which is a serious problem in India and many other parts of south Asia. The genus also includes a number of species with brilliant red markings. I was able to find one internet site that featured a Batocera sp. that looks very similar to yours at: http://albumo.com/photo/212955/Longhorn-Beetle—Batocera-sp..html. The photos are from Malaysia, but many Asian species are quite widespread. I suspect this may be a closely related species. Cheers. K