Trichoferus samai has recently been described from Turkey by Kadlec and Rejzek (2001). The biology of Trichoferus samai resembles Ropalopus ungaricus (Herbst, 1784) to some extent. About ten early instar larvae of Trichoferus samai were collected under bark of living branches of a shrubby maple (Acer sp.) species where they fed on phloem creating an irregularly oval area. Later they entered the wood where they constructed the pupal cells. The next year 2 adults appeared. We believe that under natural conditions the development lasts at least two years. It was very difficult to recognise an attacked branch. Only rarely did the larval activity cause splitting of the living bark and sometimes the sap was oozing from these wounds. Bases of the branches were attacked more frequently than their distal part.
MH & MR © November 8, 2006
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