Bug of the Month July 2011: Broad-Necked Root Borer

bugman

June 30th, 2011 at 9:38 pm

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Ed. Note: We have never made any of the Prionid Beetles a Bug of the Month, and summer is the season for the various species from coast to coast. California has the California Prionus and the Eastern states have the Broad Necked Root Borer. Many Prionids exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism, with the smaller males having more pronounced antennae. Many females are practically or totally flightless, and males are attracted to lights at night. Here is a recent letter.

Large beetle in NY
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
June 28, 2011 5:48 pm
I don’t think I’ve seen a bug this big in New York before. It’s slowly walking around my sidewalk and sticking its butt up in the air like this, with a yellow thing that is protruding and retracting.
Signature: J

: Broad-Necked Root Borer

Hi J,
Your insect is a female Broad-Necked Root Borer, Prionus laticollis, and the yellow thing is her ovipositor which is used to lay eggs. According to BugGuide: “Eggs are inserted into ground (or under litter) in groups. Larvae tunnel downward to feed on living roots of a variety of trees and shrubs. At first they may feed on bark, but then proceed to hollow out small roots.”

: Broad Necked Root Borer

add Bug of the Month July 2011: Broad Necked Root Borer

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Comments 3

esbuzz wrote:
well i see this pic of the broad-necked root borer & says they’re in new york or the east coast. mine was found in northern california and is the size of my palm. is this normal or heard of?
Posted 12 Jul 2011 at 11:51 pm ¶
bugman wrote:
There are several related species in California, like the California Root Borer and the Ponderous Borer.
Posted 13 Jul 2011 at 8:34 am ¶
voltron7 wrote:
there is also an organ on the ovipositor that releases a scent to attract mates according to a similar post I made for i.d request on Bug Guide…
http://bugguide.net/node/view/546244
Posted 24 Jul 2011 at 10:38 pm ¶

Trackbacks & Pingbacks 5

From Female Broad-Necked Root Borer | What's That Bug? on 03 Jul 2011 at 9:54 am ¶
[...] WilkieFemale Broad-Necked Root BorerHi Henry, This is a female Broad Necked Root Borer, our feature Bug of the Month for July 2011. According to BugGuide: “Female much larger than male. The former is reported to be [...]
From Male Broad Necked Root Borer | What's That Bug? on 08 Jul 2011 at 8:35 am ¶
[...] in late June to identify the Broad Necked Root Borer, Prionus laticollis, prompted us to name it Bug of the Month for July. Most of our submissions this year were of females whose antennae are not as developed. It is [...]
From Female Broad Necked Root Borer | What's That Bug? on 09 Jul 2011 at 9:13 am ¶
[...] 2” long. thanks, sloopy. Signature: sloopyBroad Necked Root BorerHi Sloopy, This is our featured Bug of the Month for July 2011, the Broad Necked Root Borer, Prionus laticollis. You may read more about her on BugGuide as [...]
From Mating Broad Necked Root Borers | What's That Bug? on 10 Jul 2011 at 11:07 am ¶
[...] excited to post your photo of mating Broad Necked Root Borers, Prionus laticollis, our featured Bug of the Month for July 2011. The larval grubs feed on the roots of trees, but they are not considered a pest species and it [...]
From Drowned Broad Necked Root Borer | What's That Bug? on 26 Jul 2011 at 8:42 am ¶
[...] out of our minds of you attempting CPR on this unfortunate male Broad Necked Root Borer, our Bug of the Month for July. The antennae of the male are much more developed than those of the female. The backyard [...]