Rhagium inquisitor Classification Family Cerambycidae > Subfamily Lepturinae > Tribe Rhagiini > Genus Rhagium Diagnostic Features of Larvae Larva. Form very depressed, elongate, parallel; integument smooth, shining, sparsely clothed with fine, silky, whitish to yellowish hairs. Head greatly depressed, strongly chitinized, wider than prothorax, sparsely covered with fine, silky, short hairs, sides rounded, with a dull carina on anterior margin: epistoma straight, fused into clypeus at middle; front with two elongate, shallow depressions; clypeus and labrum very thin, latter trapezoidal, rounded and widest in front, cilia dense, fine; epistomal setae six or more. Mandibles very slender from side, nearly three times as long as basal width, apex dilated, deeply notched; antennae small, entirely retractile; ocelli indistinct. Ventral mouthparts well extended; mentum trapezoidal; palpi very slender, last maxillary joint attenuately acute, equal to last labial, shorter than first or second maxillary; lacinia slender, cylindrical; anterior margin of hypostoma straight, not distinct from mouth-parts; gula not distinct. Prothorax widest in front, dorsally undifferentiated, entirely smooth, slightly chitinized; eusternum trapezoidal, broadly rounded in front, smooth, shining; mesosternum and metasternum, mesonotum and metanotum dull, very finely velvety pubescent. Legs slender, femur and tibia subequal, tarsus slender, attenuate, not strongly chitinized. Abdomen depressed; ampullae semi-tuberculate at sides, dull, very finely pubescent; pleural tubercle very elongately oval, bearing five or more setae; last abdominal tergum broad, bisinuate on posterior margin. Spiracles orbicular, peritreme distinct, raised, not strongly chitinized. Pupa. Subconvex, tapering; anterior and posterior margins of head and posterior margins of prothorax and metathorax with two transverse bands of upright setae; abdominal terga bearing transverse bands of reflexed subulate setae; last tergum bearing two tri-acuminate spines. Adapted from Craighead (1923). Biology and Economic Importance The larvae of Rhagium have been collected between the bark and wood of all our coniferous trees excepting the species of Cupressaceae. They require a certain amount of moisture, usually preferring trees which have been dead only a short time. The larvae construct an oval, fibrous-rimmed pupal cell, pupating and transforming to adults in the early fall, and overwintering as imagoes. The larval period usually is completed in one season or may extend over two. The species occurs commonly throughout the US. Adapted from Craighead (1923). Selected References to Larvae Specimens Craighead, 1923