rufous shouldered longhorn beetle

[melrich]

Have identified this beetle found in a bedroom. Does anyone know about it? Is it harmful?

[Jason Green]

Hi Mel, and welcome to WAB!

Do you have a photo at all, for me to confirm or other an identification? There are a number of domestic beetles with similar colours but perhaps different proportions. If it is I assume it was hibernating, though I wasn't aware this species would find it's way inside for the winter.

Here's a photo of one from WAB's archive by Neil (Username: Ukwildlifeo)

Rufous-shouldered Longhorn Beetle, Anaglyptus mysticus

...though I'd still like to see yours if possible!

I thought so, I've just researched it's distribution and it's an 'Nb', Notable B species - a good find! This means it occurs in between 31 - 100 10Km squares across the UK. A definition of this is here: http://www.yates.clara.net/status.html

Oh, and no - it isn't harmful

Take care,

Jason

[The Woodman]

If it is a R-s L H it's a very nice find and one on my wish list.

Whereabouts in the country was it found?

[Dogghound]

These Overwinter as larvae. So it would be extremely unlikely this is what you have found. They live in dry soft dead wood as larvae which you would hope is not to be found in your house.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, we would certainly need to see a picture. Do you have any 'wild' wood that might have been imported with larvae in it?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

If it is a R-s L H it's a very nice find and one on my wish list.

Whereabouts in the country was it found?

We'll mine was found in Epping forest near wake valley pond

[The Woodman]

Apparently we don't get them in the north and they favour Hawthorn flowers. Nationally scarce B.

Thanks Ukwildlifeo for the Epping Forest info.

[Dogghound]

Yes these are more common below the River Humber. Although there are isolated records further North. These could be due to insects being transported with wood. These wood breeding species can turn up anywhere.

[melrich]

Thankyou everyone. I have not been able to get a photo, but it is definitely same as on Jason Green's photo, with grey end, followed by black stripe, then red pattern and almost black and white legs and antennae. It was found on a bedroom window sill, window not having been opened for a while due to cold weather, in Leicestershire. Could have been brought in with washing drying under carport?

[melrich]

Sorry this is the best photo I can take at the moment, does not show clearly the grey end though you can just make out the red pattern.