Longhorn beetles

Looking back through Lightroom to a trip I took exactly a year ago tomorrow, it made me sad for all that we have lost. Gone are the days when I could jump in my car and go to any location of choice. Things are much better now, of course, and we are supposed to be allowed to drive any distance to exercise, or pursue outside hobbies (all socially distanced, naturally). However, locals at beauty spots around the country are wary of crowds and in spite of the rules being relaxed, we are also being discouraged by car parks being closed. Sadly, it has been the same with the wildlife reserves, although a few have started to open up. Unfortunately, the closest to us (and the one where these images were taken) is still out of bounds. There is talk of some being opened up after the Bank Holiday and I can only hope that ours is on the new list.

So here are a few that were taken in better times – a selection of longhorn beetles. There are more than 60 species considered native to Britain, although there are some notable foreign invaders threatening broadleaved trees in temperate zones. Featured at the top and below is one of my favourites – Rhagium Mordax. For a longhorn beetle, is has relatively short antennae. They are fairly common here and adults can be found between May and July.

Finally Rhagium Bifasciatum – otherwise known as the two banded longhorn beetle and is one of the most common longhorn beetles in Europe.