Ropalopus clavipes

Longhorn beetle Ropalopus clavipes

Description

This thermophilic species inhabits forest-steppe areas, edges of deciduous forests, old orchards, and abandoned gardens. It is common in Southern Europe. It's a polyphagous species that attacks dozens of species of deciduous trees, especially fruit trees like apple, plum, peach, cherry, and walnut, and also commonly attacks beech firewood from forest trees. The adult reaches sizes up to 3 cm, is nearly black, similar To Cerambyx scopolii imago. Swarming occurs from late April to July. Larvae develop under the bark in branches and thinner stems, creating wide, flat galleries visible even in sapwood. The exit hole is elliptical, with a size ranging from 6 to 10 mm along the longer side, depending on the variable size of the adult. The developmental cycle lasts 1 to 2 years, depending on climatic and food conditions. From a forestry perspective, it's not a major pest, but theoretically, it can damage fruit trees, especially with ongoing warming trends. When infesting firewood, it can multiply rapidly, and larvae can literally disintegrate the wood under the bark. During logging, this can result in significant wood sawdust falling from the affected material.