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Vesperus xatarti, known as the vine moth beetle or castañeta, is a brown longhorn beetle from Spain, France, and the Balearic Islands, famous for its larvae damaging tree and vine roots, with distinct male (long antennae) and female (large abdomen, shorter antennae) adults, and a 2-3 year life cycle involving subterranean feeding before adults emerge to reproduce.
Identification: Brownish beetle, males have antennae as long as their body, females are larger with shorter antennae and a swollen abdomen.
Habitat: Found in Spain, France (Pyrenees-Orientales), and the Balearic Islands.
Diet (Larvae): Polyphagous, feeding on the roots of deciduous trees and shrubs like grapevine (Vitis vinifera), olive (Olea), and Celtis.
Life Cycle: A long cycle (2-3+ years), with larvae developing underground for 2-3 years, pupating in spring/summer, and adults emerging in autumn/winter (Oct-Mar) for brief reproduction.
Damage: Larvae damage roots, causing poor vigor, discoloration, and reduced production, often in patches.
Adults: Short-lived (weeks), focus on reproduction; males fly, females don't.
Pheromones: Females release specific sex pheromones (vesperal and vesperol) to attract males, studied for pest control.
