Axinopalpis barbarae Sama, 1992
ssp. barbarae Sama, 1992

Subfamilia: CERAMBYCINAE  /  Tribus: GRACILIINI
Axinopalpis barbarae barbarae

[Photo © David Navrátil, click on the picture for 4K resolution]



Axinopalpis barbarae, a rare endemic species to Cyprus, has been described together with its subspecies A. barbarae consobrinus by Gianfranco Sama in 1992 [✧]. Larvae of its nominotypical subspecies, A. barbarae barbarae, develop in twigs of Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia). A. barbarae attacks living healthy cedar twigs (diameter 1-2 cm), larvae create annular incisions ("girdles") which cause weakening, then desiccation and eventually breaking (and fall) of the consumed parts of the infested twigs. Larval development 2 years. Adults, active in May and June, are crepuscular/nocturnal and can be attracted by light.

Body length:8 - 12 mm
Life cycle:2 years
Adults in:May - June
Host plant:Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia)
Distribution:an endemic species to Cyprus


The depicted beetle was reared from larva found in Cedrus brevifolia twig in summit parts of Mount Tripylos / Τρίπυλος (N34°59′46″ E32°40′43″, 1200-1360 m a.s.l., Cedar Valley, Troodos Mountains, Nicosia district, Cyprus) on April 16, 2022.

Collected by David Navrátil


[✧]
Sama G.:
Descrizione di nuovi Cerambycidae dell'isola di Cipro (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).
Lambillionea 92 (4): 297-307, 1992. [download pdf icon]

Ambrus R., Grosser W. and Hrbek J.:
Contribution to the knowledge of longhorn beetles from Cyprus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).
Humanity space International Almanac 3 (2): 173-190, 2014. [download pdf icon]



 
SubfamiliaCerambycinae Latreille, 1802
TribusGraciliini Mulsant, 1839
GenusAxinopalpis Dejean, 1835
SpeciesAxinopalpis barbarae Sama, 1992
SubspeciesAxinopalpis barbarae barbarae Sama, 1992