Do Longhorned Beetles Bite?

Longhorn beetles are a unique family of beetles that love to reside inside dead wood and trees. These beetles have mandibles and can bite a human if they are mishandled.

The Long-horned beetles are a part of a large family called Cerambycidae. Their larvae love hollowing out healthy trees from the inside. 

But that’s not where their skills end. These beetles are renowned for their biting abilities! Let’s find out more about the longhorn beetles or longicorns and their bites. 

What Are They?

Over 20,000 species of Cerambycids are known and described. Amongst these, the longhorned beetles are most famous for their extremely long antennae. 

The larger-sized longhorned beetles can have an antenna that is sometimes three times the length of their body! 

These types of beetles are also known for their uniquely placed antennal sockets. Their antennal sockets can be found on the lower tubercles of their face. 

Some beetles with long tubercles lack this feature, while others with short antennae still have them. 

Longhorned beetles come in different sizes, shapes, colorations, and structures. Perhaps the most infamous one is the Asian Longhorned Beetle, which is a big menace to hardwood trees.

Do They Bite? 

Yes, longhorn beetles can bite. Technically, beetles have chewing mouthparts (to devour their food) that they can use to munch on your skin as well. 

Some species of beetles have completely developed jaws or mandibles to devour their prey. 

Other adult beetles use these mouthparts to protect themselves from predators, while still others, like the longhorns, use them just to consume wood. 

The longhorned beetles can come into your house if not managed. 

However, you don’t have to be worried about drywood furniture in your home. These beetles cannot sink their mandibles in dried firewood. 

They cannot attack your furniture, but if you are not careful, they will bite human skin. Their painful bites are not harmful in the long term but will leave you writhing for a day or two. 

Are They Poisonous?

Most beetles don’t bite, and the ones that do, such as the longhorns, are not poisonous. The bite of the longhorned beetle is fortunately not poisonous. 

But one might have an allergic reaction to the bite. In such cases, you must rush to your nearest hospital or seek immediate medical help. 

There is one species: the Onychocherus albitarsis in the beetle family. This little bug is not a beetle to be fiddled with. 

It is a rare species that is renowned for being the only venomous beetle with a sting on its antennae. 

Are They Dangerous? 

These beetles do not pose any direct threats to humans. 

Instead, they are dangerous to the trees around them. The Asian longhorned beetle (sporting a white spot) and its larvae (roundheaded borers) are experts at it. 

The larvae cause extensive damage to untreated lumber or living trees by boring into them. (The old-house borer, or Hylotrupes bajulus on the other hand, can bore into houses). 

The ALB, thankfully, is a bit of an outlier in its family since it feeds on live trees. 

Cerambycids are, infact, famous because their habit of munching on dead or dying wood makes them a precious recycler of nutrients.

They also help remove pests of lumber at the same time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up 

Beetles like the Asian longhorned beetle and Onychocherus albitarsis are dangerous to humans, but thankfully they are rare. 

The Asian longhorned beetle is a threat to forests of North America, while Onychocherus albitarsis is one of the rare beetles that uses its antennae to sting, with venom inside it. 

Billions of dollars will have to be spent if the Asian longhorn beetle is able to infest our hardwood forests, which is why a lot of effort is being put into stopping this menace.

For the time being, staying away from these insects and informing the authorities is probably a good idea. 

Thank you for reading!