The Rhesus Capricorn Beetle (Dorcadion carinatum) is an insect in the Cerambyx family of longhorn beetles.

The Rhesus Capricorn Beetle has an elongated black body with short, segmented antennae. It has wing cases called elytra. The elytra are reddish-brown at the tips. It has short jaw-like nippers, or pincers, at its mouth.

Rhesus Capricorn Beetle

It measures about 4-5 centimetres (2 inches) in length.

The Capricorn Beetle is widespread and common across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Rhesus Capricorn Beetle is common in the Caucasus region and eastern Europe, specifically in Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Georgia.

The female Rhesus Capricorn Beetle lays eggs which hatch into larvae. The larvae (a grub) spends most of its three years inside an oak tree. It is blind and naked. The grub burrows into the wood. After 3 years, they crawl out of the burrow for a short distance, form a chalky casing, and undergo metamorphosis to change into a beetle. The adult beetle emerges from the casing.

Rhesus Capricorn Beetle

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM