Clytus kumalariensis has recently been described by Martin Johanides (2001) from Suhut, Kumalar Dagi (Central Turkey). It is a species closely related to Clytus arietis (Linnaeus, 1758) and also the biology of both species is quite similar. The host plant of Clytus kumalariensis is oak (Quercus). Young instar larvae feed in dead red-brown and relatively moisture rich wood in close contact with living tissue, such as the bases of dead branches surrounded by living callus (Rejzek, unpublished results). Later-instar larvae penetrate into the dry part of the dead branch more distal to the living tissue where they also pupate. This substrate differs visibly from the moist wood of the branch base and it comprises a petrified wood (barkless extremely compact and tenacious wood of white colour, poor in moisture content and fungal infestation). The combination of a moisture rich base and a petrified rest of a branch is only created under extremely hot climatic conditions and represents a very typical niche for a number of Cerambycidae species distributed in Asia Minor and Near East. These species are: Chlorophorus dinae Rapuzzi et Sama, 1999; Clytus kabateki Sama, 1996; and Pseudosphegestes longitarsus Holzschuh, 1974.
MH & MR © August 1, 2006
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