Cerambicid Eye and Antennae Detail

svalley · Post by **svalley** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:21 pm

Sorry, I do not have the species name for this Cerambicid. This poorly preserved specimen was found in a wine packing crate from France. We were worried that it might be a new invasive species, but it turned out to be a North American native that was accidently introduced to France and that had hitched a ride back home.

The diagnostic features I wanted to capture here were the setae between the facets of the eyes and the width to length ratio of the second antennal segment. The small round punctures on the lower portion of the eye are where setae have been lost.

Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope w/extended depth of field imaging system

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:22 pm

Interesting image Steve, what is the purpose of the setae between the facets of the eye?

svalley · Post by **svalley** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:20 pm

Ken, I don't know. These guys are woodborers and spend some of their life in the dark, so maybe they have a sensory function or maybe they function kind of like our eyelashes and and keep debris from sticking to the eye.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:28 pm

The latter seems quite plausible there Steve, thanks

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:20 am

That is a wonderful image Steve. Lots of super detail in there

and very 3D looking. I always love the ball and socket look of the antennae.