What you see in the photo is a particular beetle, of the species flatheaded root borer of peach (*Capnodis tenebrionis*).
The beetle is a particular type of insect.
🪲 Behavior
- When it feels threatened, it moves to the opposite side of the branch to hide.
- It can also drop to the ground and play dead (thanatosis).
- It is mostly active during the day, although it moves slowly.
- Adults feed on leaves and tender bark, while larvae dig tunnels into the roots, causing serious damage.
🌳 Host Plants
- It prefers fruit trees such as peach, apricot, cherry, almond, but also pear and apple trees.
- It is considered a significant pest in fruit farming, especially in warm and dry areas.
⚠️ Damage
- Adults cause defoliation.
- The larvae, which are much more harmful, burrow into the base and roots, causing plant decline, yellowing, and even death.
🔍 Curiosity
The name "tenebrionis" comes from its dark and dull appearance, similar to some darkling beetles (*Tenebrionidae*). It has a flat and elongated body, black-gray in color with white spots on the pronotum.
In the Video
The video shows a particular type of behavior. This insect has especially well-developed eyesight.
It hides from predators by moving to the side of the branch opposite the observer.
