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In Deeside's native Scots pine woodlands a number of rare insects that are restricted to feeding on pine are found, although many eat the wood rather than the indigestible pine
needles. Beetles and flies include many species that as larvae only feed on dead or decaying tree stumps and branches. A specialist of pine is the timberman beetle (Acanthocinus aedilis). The obvious peculiarity of this
handsome powdery-grey insect is that the antennae are enormously long, especially in the male where they are about four times the length of the body. It is not clear why this particular beetle needs such long antennae,
although most of its relatives have this feature and are called 'tonghoms' in consequence. Presumably the sense of smell, which is often located on an insect's antennae, is especially good in the timberman
beetles, and may allow them to detect their mates, or fresh pine stumps, more efficiently than other species. The females lay eggs in the pine stumps and the larvae then bore tunnels in the wood, feeding on it and
leaving piles of sawdust-like droppings behind them. There is very little nutrient or water in the wood and as a consequence the larvae grow very slowly; however they are well protected, unless woodpeckers find them out. |
