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
I like ThisRelated posts:
Female Broad-Necked Root Borer
Broad Necked Root Borer
Broad Necked Root Borer
Female Broad Necked Root Borer with Ovipositor extended.
[...] 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 [...]
[...] 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 [...]
[...] 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 [...]
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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?
There are several related species in California, like the California Root Borer and the Ponderous Borer.
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
[...] 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 [...]