Kentish Plumber
Longhorn Beetle — Rutpela maculata, formerly Strangalia maculata
Rutpela maculata (Poda 1761) —
Black-and-yellow Longhorn Beetle
Length 13-20mm. Rather large and elongate, with distinctly tapering elytra. A variable species, but usually characterised by having bright yellow elytra with four black bands that are complete towards the elytral apex but become more broken towards the front Legs yellow, except for which are black -tipped.
Numerous colour varieties have been named (Uhthoff-Kaufmann 1996). Larvae feed for 2-3 years in damp rotting wood of various broadleaved trees, especially birch, or in pine. Adult May to September, readily visiting flowers, especially umbellifers. Widespread and rather frequent in woods in England and nbsp;Wales; very local in south-west Scotland. Also recorded from Ireland.
Longhorn Beetle — Rutpela maculata, formerly Strangalia maculata
Rutpela maculata (Poda 1761) —
Black-and-yellow Longhorn Beetle
Length 13-20mm. Rather large and elongate, with distinctly tapering elytra. A variable species, but usually characterised by having bright yellow elytra with four black bands that are complete towards the elytral apex but become more broken towards the front Legs yellow, except for which are black -tipped.
Numerous colour varieties have been named (Uhthoff-Kaufmann 1996). Larvae feed for 2-3 years in damp rotting wood of various broadleaved trees, especially birch, or in pine. Adult May to September, readily visiting flowers, especially umbellifers. Widespread and rather frequent in woods in England and nbsp;Wales; very local in south-west Scotland. Also recorded from Ireland.