Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Clytus arietis

Adult Wasp Beetle (subspecies C. a. arietis) at Geddington, Northants - May 2016

Featured Subspecies: Clytus arietis arietis
Length: 9-18mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

This is a species which has developed wasp like patterns to deter predators, being harmless itself but by mimicking something poisonous may put off predators, which is is able to back up by simulating a buzzing like noise.  As a larvae they feed on the wood of deciduous trees that have been invaded by certain fungi, and the adults then emerge in May, but have generally died by the end of Summer.

Related Species: 
Order: Coleoptera 
Family: Cerambycidae 
Genus: Clytus 
SUBSPECIES: C. a. arietis, C. a. cloueti, C. a. lederi, C. a. oblitus 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto