9-9-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

Lagria grenieri is a species of "long-jointed beetle" from the subfamily Lagriinae within the family Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles). It is found in the tropics and is also known to occur in Spain, where it has been documented in regions like Almería. The adult beetles are medium-sized, typically between 5 and 12 mm long, and the species is also known for its larvae, which likely develop in decaying wood or leaf litter.  

Key Characteristics

Size: Small to medium-sized, around 5–12 mm. 

Antennae: The last antennal segment is often the largest or widest, and can show sexual dimorphism (differences between males and females). 

Eyes: Usually deeply indented, often partly encircling the base of the antennae. 

Distribution: Found in tropical regions and documented in some parts of Europe, including Spain. 

Habitat 

Adults: Found on trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

Larvae: Likely develop in decaying wood or leaf litter.

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/470283-Lagria-grenieri

5-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

Lagriinae is a subfamily of long-jointed beetles in the family Tenebrionidae. There are more than 270 genera in Lagriinae, grouped into 11 tribes.

Adults of Lagriinae are mostly medium-sized (5-12 mm) and exhibit typical Tenebrionidae characteristics, including a 5-5-4 tarsal formula and the antennal bases concealed by canthi. The eyes are usually deeply emarginate and in many species partially surround the antennal bases. The last antennal segment is either the longest or the widest segment, and is often sexually dimorphic. The head tends to be at least as broad as the pronotum and is often constricted behind the level of the eyes. The pronotum tends to be much narrower than the base of the elytra. Additionally, the pronotum is generally broadest at its base, and its sides are sinuate or otherwise constricted.

Some species resemble members of other families, like Arthromacra resembling Oedemeridae, Rhypasma resembling Silvanidae, Casnonidea apicicornis resembling Chrysomelidae, Statira resembling Carabidae and Paratenetus punctatus resembling Coccinellidae.

Lagriinae larvae feed in decaying vegetation. They can be found in stumps and under bark.

30-9-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

Lagria is a genus of beetles in the family Tenebrionidae.

Lagria villosa is a significant pest of crops.

Species

Species recorded in Europe include the following:

Lagria atripes Mulsant et Guillebeau, 1855

Lagria glabrata Olivier, 1792

Lagria grenieri Brisout de Barneville, 1867

Lagria hirta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Lagria lata Fabricius, 1801

Lagria rubida Graells, 1855

Species native to Africa include:

Lagria cuprina Thomson, 1858

Lagria villosa (Fabricius, 1781) – invasive in South America

20-8-2015 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

The long-jointed beetles (Lagriidae) are a family of medium-sized beetles with the tropics as major area of occurrence. Worldwide more than 1000 species have been described, thereof only three from Germany. The beetles are found trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. The larvae are thought to breed in decaying wood or leaf litter.