Species Xeris spectrum

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Food · Remarks · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Sawflies, Horntails, and Wood Wasps)

Family Siricidae (Horntails)

Genus Xeris

Species spectrum (Xeris spectrum)

Size

12-28 mm. Species of this family are very variable in size.

Identification

Black or brownish with white spots. Legs yellowish-reddish. Female ovipositor as long as or longer than body.

Range

Holarctic, also North Africa, Japan.

Season

Adults late-June to early-July.

Food

Feeds on wood, especially fir. Can be a serious pest.

Remarks

Siricidae need a symbiotic fungus to digest food but no such fungus has been reported for this species.

Internet References

Forestry Images.

Forest Pests

Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 19 January, 2006 - 5:08pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 19 July, 2009 - 9:09pm

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