Dinoptera collaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) specimens at Worcester Museum

David M. Green

davidmxgreen@gmail.com

The longhorn beetle Dinoptera collaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is currently designated an Endangered species in the UK (JNCC 2011). Specimens of D. collaris are present in the Worcester Museum collection, originating from the collection of J. E. Fletcher of Worcester. The nine specimens were found by Fletcher close to Worcester, most recorded as “on flowers”, in June during the years 1881, 1885, 1883 and the last day of May 1886 - at Oldbury Farm, Temple Laugherne, Earl's Court Farm and Whitehall. These sites are between the northwest of present day built-up Worcester and Broadheath, excepting “Whitehall” for which I have no unambiguous location. The photograph of one of the specimens from the Museum collection illustrates the distinctive appearance of the species.

According to Hyman and Parsons (1992), D. collaris (under the name Acmaeops) declined dramatically; it is associated with broad leaf woodland, chiefly oak, probably other broad leaf trees, especially on steep slopes on sandy soil. The larvae occur under loose dry bark of exposed rotten roots and pupate in the soil. Adults visit flowers, including blossom of trees.

The photograph also indicates the condition of typical specimens in the Museum collection. The V-cut in the specimen card mount is apparently to enable close-packing of the cards, such that the pin through the card in front fits into the V. This strange technique is quite often used in the collection. The cards are typically pinned into the drawer using a headless pin. All the specimens possess some surface dirt as can be seen in the picture, but seldom as to prevent satisfactory examination to identification.

References

JNCC 2011. Conservation Designations for UK Taxa. Taxon_designations_20110121.zip - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3408 (10 June 2011)

Hyman, P.S and Parsons, M.S. 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain (1). U.K. Nature Conservation No. 3. JNCC.

Image

Fig. 1. The longhorn beetle Dinoptera collaris in the Worcester Museum collection. ©David M Green