Appearance
''Stictoleptura rubra'' can reach a length of 10–20 millimetres. This species has an evident sexual dimorphism, with variations in color and shape. Elytrae and pronotum of the females are uniformly reddish-brown or reddish-orange, while in males head and pronotum are black. Moreover the males have brown or pale ochre elytrae and often they are smaller and narrower than the females.
Naming
* ''Stictoleptura rubra dichroa''⤷ ''Stictoleptura rubra numidica''
⤷ ''Stictoleptura rubra rubra''
⤷ ''Stictoleptura rubra succedanea''
Distribution
The species is found throughout the European mainland, Russia and North Africa. It can also be found in Turkey and Great Britain.
Behavior
Life cycle of this species lasts two - three years. Adults can be encountered from May to September, but mainly in July and Augus). They visit flowering plants for nectar and/or pollen, while larvae develop and feed within dead wood and tree stumps of coniferous trees.To develop and reach maturity they need nutrients provided by fungi. Theirs gut contains cellulase-producing yeasts to enable xylophagy, or wood-digestion.
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