Icosium tomentosum

Lucas, 1854

Icosium tomentosum is a longhorn beetle and the sole in the Icosium. Native to the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced to California. The species is notable for its larval acoustic : larvae produce audible sounds through scraping against bark and exhibit chorusing behavior, responding to vibrations from other larvae in nearby branches.

Icosium tomentosum - inat 52395654 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Icosium tomentosum atticum - inat 307779439 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Icosium tomentosum - inat 144842429 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Icosium tomentosum: /iːˈkoʊ.si.əm toʊˈmɛn.toʊ.səm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Larvae develop in bark of branches, with multiple larvae often feeding in the same or nearby branches.

Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region; introduced to California. Records exist from Algeria, Spain, and Belgium (the latter marked doubtful).

Life Cycle

Larval stage feeds in bark of branches. Specific plant are not documented.

Behavior

Larvae produce substrate-borne vibrations audible to humans as loud sounds, consisting of regular pulses at 8 pulses per second (pulse duration ~0.061 s, interpulse interval ~0.065 s). Sound is generated by scraping strongly sclerotised against bark. Larvae exhibit chorusing , initiating vibration production in response to vibrations from other larvae feeding in the same or nearby branches—a behavior previously unknown in Cerambycidae larvae.