Large poplar longhorn, Saperda carcharias (L.), as food for white-backed woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos (Bechst.)

In a locality in Southern Finland where the white-backed woodpecker, (Bechst.), was previously breeding was found many conical borings excavated during the winter in young aspens ( L.) on average 8.1 cm in diameter. Full-grown larvae of (L.) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) hibernated in pupal chambers constructed about 0.5 m above ground level. Below this chamber the larva has usually prepared an exit hole. After the larva has blocked itself in the pupating chamber it is easy to prey for the woodpecker during the whole winter.Dendrocopos leucotosPopulus tremulaSaperda carchariasS. sarcharias