Stictoleptura rubra

Sometimes known as the Red Longhorn Beetle from the colour of the female. Length up to 19 mm. The species is striking to look at the female being uniformly red-brown in colour; males having pale ochre coloured elytra and black head and thorax.

Juveniles often found on various pines, firs and larches. Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen.

The adults appear at the height of the summer.

The larvae develop in old dead wood and tree stumps, mainly in coniferous forests.

Uncommon and with a southerly distribution in Britain.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Whetstone beetle photographed in 2009 was only the second record for VC55.