Callidium violaceum

Scientific profile

Callidium violaceum is a member of the family Cerambycidae recorded in Great Britain. On average an adult has a body length of 1.4 cm, a width of 4.6 mm and a height of 3.1 mm, giving it a moderately rounded, somewhat flattened outline; its mass is about 0.12 g. The integument is light-coloured (lightness value 111.2) and, as the scientific name suggests, shows a violet metallic reflection. The head is 2.3 mm wide and 2.4 mm long, with an eye area of 0.51 mm² and an eye length of 1.2 mm. Antennae reach 9.8 mm, roughly 70 % of body length. Mandibles are small, only 0.88 mm long and 0.19 mm wide at the base. The pronotum measures 3.6 mm wide and 2.1 mm long, the elytra are 9.4 mm long and 2.1 mm wide. The membranous wings span an area of 54.9 mm², with a length of 13.1 mm and width of 5.1 mm; wing load is 2.22 and aspect ratio 2.58, indicating moderate flight ability. The legs are slender, the hind femur reaching 4.9 mm and hind tibia 5.3 mm, longer than the front and mid legs. The body is noticeably hairy, with total hairiness scored at 10.42. Hairs are densest on the ventral abdomen (14.49), followed by the dorsal pronotum (12.81) and dorsal abdomen (7.93); the dorsal head bears a score of 6.44. No sexual dimorphism is apparent (score 0.0).