How To Get Rid Of Broad Necked Root Borer and 10 Proven Methods To Keep Them Away

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The broad necked root borers can be horrible tree pests. In this article, I will share some tips on how to get rid of broad necked root borer and keep their infestation at bay.

The broad-necked root borer (Prionus Laticollis) is a tree pest most common to deciduous trees.

These reddish brown or black colored insects are often mistaken to be the Asian longhorn beetle, but there are significant differences between them.

Broad Necked root borer, true to its name, causes damage to the roots of trees and can destroy the root system.

One of the few ways to get rid of these pests is through contact insecticides that contain pyrethroids.

I will talk about these in detail in the article below.

 

How To Get Rid Of Broad Necked Root Borer
Female Broad Necked Root Borer

 

Are Broad-Necked Root Borers Dangerous?

The male broad-necked root borers have sharp mandibles, while the female ones are bigger, but their mandibles are not.

While these pests appear as though they could sting badly, they usually do not engage with humans. Neither do they bite or sting, nor are they poisonous.

The males use their mandibles only when fighting for territory with fellow males.

Female broad necked root borers have a very visible ovipositor at the end of the abdomen.

The ovipositor resembles a stinger and may look deadly, but in reality, it is the egg-laying structure in female insects that are not used for biting or stinging.

During the breeding season, the female will use the ovipositor to lay her eggs in the ground.

Hence even though root borers look like they could harm you, these notorious little pests are not dangerous to humans or animals.

But the same cannot be said for plants; they are gravely dangerous to their roots. Both young and very old trees are at risk from their infestation.

 

Female Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

What Damage Do Broad Necked Root Borers Cause?

As their name suggests, broad-necked root borers are tree pests that affect and damage the roots of trees.

They usually attack weakened shrubs and plants. Hence it’s important to maintain your plant’s health using good fertilizers and regular trimming.

If your plant is young, a root borer infestation could kill it.

When it comes to older trees, an infestation at the roots could cause them to fall or get blown over.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any major indicators for a root borer infestation.

One telltale sign is the yellowing and thinning of foliage. You might also notice small holes or cracks in the bark and trunk of the tree or plant.

If you suspect a root borer infestation in a tree, the only way to confirm is by uprooting the tree itself.

If there is a severe infestation, the tree might be held to the ground by one or two roots only, so uprooting it would be very easy.

 

Female Broadnecked Root Borer

 

Differences Between Broad Necked Root Borers and ALBs?

The broad-necked root borers are often mistaken for Asian longhorn beetles (ALB). However, there are significant differences between the two.

Let’s start with the physical differences.

The Asian longhorn beetle has a narrow body with white spots, while the broad-necked root borer is more full-bodied and has no spots.

The root borer has much shorter antennae than the ALB and a visible ovipositor in females.

As far as their life cycle is concerned, the broad-necked root borers pupate within the soil and move towards and feed on trees once they transition into adults.

However, the female beetle lays eggs and lets it larvae pupate in a tree’s heartwood directly.

Both these insects are tree pests, but the ALB attacks the canopy of a tree while the root borers damage the root system of trees.

Lastly, unlike the ALB, the root borer also attacks fruit trees and shrubs.

In addition to deciduous, maple, and willow trees, root borers can also infest hickory, dogwood, pecan, and oak trees.

 

Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

How To Get Rid of Broad Necked Root Borer?

It’s far easier and better to prevent a broad-necked root borer infestation than treat it.

But regardless, there are some ways you can treat it. Insecticides are the best way to get rid of broad-necked root borers.

Start with spraying a contact insecticide with pyrethroids on the outer surfaces of the tree, such as on the trunk, branches, and bark, to destroy live insect activity.

Pyrethroid insecticides with Cypermethrin are considered the best. Cypermethrin is an active ingredient that is useful in preventing a root borer infestation.

The earlier you treat the infestation, the better because this contact insecticide will prevent the newly hatched tree borer larvae from proceeding toward the trunk.

If you see borer holes in the trunk or loosened parts on the bark, inject aerosol insecticides directly into it.

This method will take care of insect activity behind the bark and attack beetle larvae and adult beetles.

If the infestation is more robust, dig holes around your tree in the soil and pour an insecticide mixture into it for the roots to absorb it.

 

Female Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Once the root system absorbs the insecticide, it’ll get dispersed upwards, preventing root borers from digging further.

It’s also a good idea to add some liquid fertilizer along with your insecticide mixture when applying it to roots.

The fertilizer will give your trees an additional strength boost and help keep them healthy further, just in case the root borer infestation is not very severe.

Natural Ways of Removing Broad Necked Root Borers

There are very few options when it comes to the natural control of these bugs.

Some insects, including Jepson’s beetle or Plaesius javanus, have been known to predate them in the food chain.

Ants and some birds can also eat them. However, the problem is that since they reside in the roots, they are very hard to see.

Preventing Broad-Necked Root Borers

As I said earlier, preventing an infestation is better than treating it. Here are a few ways to protect your trees from root borer infestation.

  1. Pruning and trimming your plants and trees is the top way to keep a root borer infestation away.
  2. Regularly cutting decaying leaves and branches will make your plants and trees uninviting to the root borers.
  3. Don’t forget to apply and seal the cuts and wounds from pruning with a prune paste.
  4. This will facilitate the healing process of the trees while also preventing the root borers from penetrating the trunk.
  5. One part of keeping your trees healthy also involves keeping the surroundings clean.
  6. Regularly clear out grass and fallen leaves from the base of the trees. Also, avoid littering near the trees.
  7. Less litter would mean fewer places for these tiny pests to hide. It will also make them easily visible to you or any other predator.
  8. Surround your trees and plants with mulch, organic fertilizers, and supplemental water to prevent the root borers from causing further damage.
  9. If you find significant damage to your tree/plant from the infestation, uproot it and replace it with a new one.
  10. Ensure you carry out the contact insecticides treatment for the new plantation to prevent a re-infestation.

Bug Control Recommendation Tool

What type of pest are you dealing with?

How severe is the infestation?

Do you require child/pet/garden safe treatments (organic)?

Are you willing to monitor and maintain the treatment yourself?


 

Female Broad Necked Root Borer

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you control root borers?

By taking preventive measures and using treatments, root borers can be managed efficiently.
For prevention, you should plant seedlings of the proper size and strength and manage soil fertility properly.
Narrow-spectrum Insecticides specifically designed for root borers can help remove them from your garden.
Techniques such as mulching around plants also help to stop the pests from approaching plant roots.
Plants such as buckwheat or other flowering species can help attract adult root borers and keep them away from your crop trees.

How do you get rid of tree borers naturally?

Tree borers are a menace to your outdoor trees, but you can take action to prevent infestations and get rid of existing ones naturally.
Pruning and regularly inspecting trees for small holes and sawdust-like frass is one way to spot early signs of an infestation.
You can also use organic solutions such as natural oils and insecticide soap sprays to kill the larvae located inside the tree.
Additionally, applying sticky barrier wraps around the trunk can catch adults before they have a chance to lay eggs.
Taking these steps, along with providing proper nutrition, watering, and tending, will help ensure that your outdoor trees remain healthy and free from tree borers naturally.

What is the best remedy against borers?

The best remedy against borers is to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
IPM is based on preventative measures such as good cultural practices, mechanical controls, and biological control.
This includes using resistant varieties, removing weeds, keeping plantings healthy, and using compost and mulch.
Biological controls can be helpful in managing borers by releasing beneficial insects that attack insect pests that may harm plants.
Mechanical traps or barriers can also be used to trap or exclude borers from the garden.
If needed, carefully chosen chemical treatments should always be a last resort and applied only where necessary according to label directions.

Is Neem oil good for borers?

Neem oil is effective in controlling borers because borer larvae are highly susceptible to the compounds found in Neem oil.
When applied to foliage, neem oil acts as a barrier so that borers cannot feed on the leaves and instead ingest the oil.
It also inhibits the growth of eggs and larvae by preventing them from processing food properly, as well as by interfering with calcium metabolism.
This makes it an ideal treatment for killing borers and deterring their return.
Additionally, neem oil is biodegradable and does not persist in the environment for long periods of time after application.

Wrap Up

The broad-necked root borers are tree pests that can damage a variety of trees by attacking their root systems.

The best way to deal with an infestation of these little buddies is to ideally prevent it.

You can do this by using contact insecticides and regularly maintaining your trees/ plants through pruning and using healthy organic fertilizers.

Thank you for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Female Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Female Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Female Broad-Necked Root Borer Ovipositing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadnecked Root Borer

 

Broad-Necked Root Borer

 

Broad-Necked Root Borer lays Eggs

 

Brown Prionid

 

Broadnecked Root Borer

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

    View all posts
Tags: Broad Necked Root Borers

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134 Comments. Leave new

  • JwellsLcrosby
    July 11, 2009 7:43 pm

    Hey my friend and I found one of these outside his house in Southern Illinois. Is this a common area for them to be found? We have it temporarily in a gatorade bottle what should we do….we think it’s dead…

    Reply
  • JwellsLcrosby
    July 11, 2009 10:46 pm

    its dead now

    Reply
  • found this Broad root borer walking down the hall! i freaked out! i caught it and put it in a jar. It is over 3″ long!! if there was one should i expect more? do i kill it ,or throw it in the neighbors yard?

    Reply
  • couldn’t figure out how to post picture? steve

    Reply
  • Michele A Avery
    June 25, 2013 5:35 pm

    My daughter just found one at her house in N. Haverhill, NH.

    Reply
  • Hello I just found one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Just wondering can they hurt you at all or do or are they somewhat friendly?

    Reply
    • The jaws of many wood boring beetles are quite powerful since they need to be able to chew their way out of the wood they have been burrowing in for the time spent as a larva. Large Borers might actually be able to draw blood if they are carelessly handled and they bite.

      Reply
  • Just found one today in Georgetown, MA on the north shore.

    Reply
  • Jennifer Cannon
    June 17, 2014 8:36 pm

    Just found one one my porch in Jacksonville, Fl. Sorry to say it did not survive. I thought it was a Palmetto bug and sprayed it.

    Reply
  • Just found one in Norwich Connecticut

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  • One on my window right now in East had dam, CT…Gross!!!!

    Reply
  • My grandma just found one of these, here in Texas City TX.

    Reply
  • Just found one in Mammoth Spring AR, first one ive ever seen lol

    Reply
  • Just had one land on me in Joplin, Missouri

    Reply
  • Keith patterson
    July 18, 2014 9:05 pm

    Just found one in Joplin, MO

    Reply
  • Hi helpful bug friends,
    I have these beetles in my back yard. Will they damage my trees (which are huge and beautiful)? Are they damaging like emerald ash borers? What should I do, if anything?

    Reply
  • Hi helpful bug friends,
    I have these beetles in my back yard. Will they damage my trees (which are huge and beautiful)? Are they damaging like emerald ash borers? What should I do, if anything?

    Reply
    • According to BugGuide: “Adults eat foliage, sometimes damage fruit trees, grape vines. Life Cycle 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. Pupation occurs in spring, about 10 cm under the ground. Life cycle probably three years.” Losing some roots should not be detrimental to the life of a healthy tree.

      Reply
  • mary stromdahl
    August 5, 2014 8:54 pm

    I live in Minnesota and found one yesterday, August 4. As I was looking at it, it swung under the stem it was sitting on. As it swung under it sprayed a liquid out in an arc. Was wondering if it was urine or a chemical deterrent ?

    Reply
    • Interesting. We will try to research that as we have not heard of Prionid Beetles using a spray to deter predators.

      Reply
  • Mike t violette
    May 31, 2015 1:27 pm

    Hello*** I’m over welded with this ugly huge cock a roach lookin beetle..I’ve had them in my yard for 6 yrs. I have killed at least 150 of them.collected them for insect comanies? Nobody knew what they were? They usually come in june* but more so when it’s hot. I wasted 600.00 dollars to a tree arborist company wich did nothing!! I called health dept. In my town..I need yur help? I poured ammonia down the 2 in hole they dig..gas! Bleach. I can’t get rid of them!!! Wtf. Please help me! Sincerely. Mike t violette 2039824606 from wtby conn 06705-1808

    Reply
  • Mike t violette
    May 31, 2015 1:35 pm

    They are broad neck route borer. They are ugly…they are all over my lawn.they are in the town of waterbury ct. All over..seems like they are growing rapidly! I have huge oak & maple trees in my yard…When my mom” was alive she said they were June bugs! But now this nitemare is called broadneck Rte borers. . Please help me find poison that will kill these beetles for good! !! I wasted so much money..and I have no help. .. I’m do upset over these bugs!! Why my yard? Why me?, you step on them* they still don’t die.. Please help. Mike t violette 2039824606 from wtby conn 06705-1808

    Reply
  • Mike t violette
    May 31, 2015 1:39 pm

    Sorry to keep going on here!! I had a large bucket filled with them? Like 50 of them.. it’s like a Sci – Fi movie come to life!!! Invasion of the broad neck route borer. ……. Please help. Mike t violette 2039824606 from wtby conn 06705-1808

    Reply
  • Mike t violette
    June 2, 2015 4:08 am

    Thanks for nothing? What are you up here for then. … Mike t violette

    Reply
    • Your rudeness at the free identification services we provide is duly noted. We are not responsible if our readership crank calls you on the telephone number you willingly provided on one of your comments.

      Reply
  • Found one in West Babylon, NY. Found it near two small holes dug into the ground, is this where it laid its eggs? The holes and the beetle were found on the surface near a tree, if that helps.

    Reply
    • 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. Pupation occurs in spring, about 10 cm under the ground. Life cycle probably three years.” That sounds consistent with your sighting.

      Reply
  • Mike t violette
    June 30, 2015 6:31 pm

    Hello* well I apologize for my harsh words…I’m really upset about these bugs!! I need help? I just killed 10 of them…There has 2 be a poison to kill them off^ Thank god their not eating my house!!) Lol. Please help me find a solution here! Nobody wants these horrible beetles in their yard… thankyou mike t violette

    Reply
  • Mike t violette
    June 30, 2015 6:34 pm

    The males are smaller!! They fly. Females font fly. They resemble huge cockroaches!! On steroids. .lol. I spent 650.00 to a tree arborist in Watertown wich he didn’t know his ass! From his elbow? Mike t violette

    Reply
  • Mike t violette
    June 30, 2015 6:37 pm

    Yes*** the female does not fly….males fly…I put them in a bucket of water. .and they drowned to death.?

    Reply
  • Yep just found one walking up side of brick house, I think it is the largest bug I ever saw here on Long Island. If my wife had seen it she would have a melt down…lol

    Reply
  • I just found one in my screened in porch in Clearwater FL. I think it was already dying because it was on its back and its stinger was sticking all the way out. When I touched it with a stick, the stinger went back in. Weirdest bug I have ever seen and we see a lot as we are near a stream and a lot of trees and foliage. By the posts above, only 1 other one in Florida, and that was north Fl. Do they migrate?

    Reply
    • Broad Necked Root Borers do not migrate. Though BugGuide does not list the Broad Necked Root Borer in Florida, the very similar looking, related Prionus pocularis is found in Florida, according to BugGuide.

      Reply
  • Just found two in my yard in North Little Rock, Ar

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  • Well folks! I’ve been dealing with these cock roaches^ on steroids for 5 yrs now! All you people wanna do is say? Oh I found 1 in my yard. Nobody has a solution to killing these f cking!** things?? Like the person in charge of this app.? Or what ever the he’ll this is for… you want them for pets! Cause I don’t. . Give me yur solution! !! Thanks. Mike t violette

    Reply
  • I just found one in waxhaw north Carolina. I run my photo studio out of a 160 year old building. One of these is laying belly up with stinger out and white larvae all around her. Ive called my husband to remove it.

    Reply
  • Rebecca Miller
    June 25, 2016 6:55 pm

    Found one on Long Island, NY

    Reply
  • Just found one in my garage in NJ. It dropped off of a shelf when I walked out. It was quite terrifying!!

    Reply
  • I live on Cape Co, while inspecting my lilies for red lily leaf beetle, I saw this horrid Borer on the stem of my asiac lilly, never have I seen one before yesterday. So I sprayed the heck out of it with a bug killer. Also, there is a 2 inch wide hole right at the base of the plant, I was thinking maybe the chippy’s, could it be the tunneling of this horrid creature? Thank you

    Reply
  • I have a backyard full in Chicopee ma. One bit my neighbor and drew blood so know they bite. But are they harmful if ingested? My dog brought one in and was gnawing on it like a bone.

    Reply
    • Probably a good source of protein for your dog. Not poisonous, but as you noted, they have strong mandibles and they could bite your dog’s tongue.

      Reply
  • The broad necked root borod is here in Wolcott CT 06716 there every where coming out of the ground

    Reply
    • Where do these things come from? Are you going to spray or do anything? I tell ya they are nasty, although I’ve seen only 1 her on Cape Cod, I know there must be more lurking somewhere and I want to be ready. Please post what you end up doing.

      Reply
  • I have seen several of this bug around my trees , will they damage the trees ? If so how would I get rid of them ?

    Reply
  • Never have seen a bug that big and scary looking yikes went to pick up water hose there it was!! Cumberland Rhode Island

    Reply
  • I have one of these on the outside molding of my front door right now. It is very scary looking, as I am not a bug lover, to say the least. Do you have a recommendation as to how to remove it?

    Reply
  • Ugh upstate ny here, my jerk cat spotted one and was too afraid to kill it, so I tried about five times to squash it. They are tough! I deposited it in the toilet and it was STILL clinging to life, it’s jaws were also opening and closing and LARGE and terrifying.

    Reply
  • I found one of these in my garage last night a d tonight in my house! Please help! Do they bite? Do i need an exterminator? Are they going to keep coming in my house??

    Reply
    • Meant to say im in new jersey

      Reply
    • Root Borers have powerful mandibles and they might bite if carelessly handled, but they are not aggressive. You do not need an exterminator. We are not prescient and we cannot predict the future.

      Reply
  • Just found one in Nederland, TX. Huge, ugly thing! Went to grab the closest thing I could to spray and kill it. FYI- febreeze works well.. lol

    Reply
  • Shannon Kirkpatrick
    June 15, 2017 8:06 pm

    I know this is somewhat an old post, but I am in Georgia and these things are flooding my home. I’m not sure if it’s because we didn’t necessarily have a winter, or what, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen one. About a month ago we had the first one show up – dead, from our spraying the home. But tonight alone I found 3. They’re creeping me out!

    Reply
  • barbara kunie
    June 17, 2017 8:17 pm

    Found one in my backyard in Salisbury Maryland

    Reply
  • I saw this bug today. I picked it up by the abdomen. I was not bitten. I have read information this bug typically does not bite humans but you are saying care should be given when handling these particular ones? I want to make sure that I am not hurt or do not hurt it in the future. Thanks for the feedback.

    Reply
    • Someone said once that if it has a mouth, it can bite. Root Borers are not aggressive, but they do have powerful mandibles.

      Reply
  • We have been seeing them out here in Gillette, Wyoming of all places. Talk about scary creatures!

    Reply
    • According to BugGuide data, the Broad Necked Root Borer is not reported west of Indiana. We suspect you have another member of the genus Prionus. Though it is not identified to the species level, BugGuide does have this image of a member of the genus from Wyoming and we have a posting in our archives of Prionus emarginatus that indicates it is found in Wyoming.

      Reply
  • My dog acted like his foot was stung and we found one in the same area. This is the first I’ve ever seen one of these beetles. Does the female’s ovipositor act as a stinger? He may have been bitten though. His foot is swelling up, but everything I’ve found on this beetle says it isn’t poisonous. Could you please verify this?

    Reply
    • Also should mention this is in southwestern PA so you can help us to know if it is a female broad necked root borer,

      Reply
    • The female does not use her ovipositor as a stinger nor is this species poisonous.

      Reply
  • Mike t violette
    July 2, 2017 7:16 am

    Sue…you keep listening to this bug,forum guy! He ain’t gonna help you! I now have the knowledge, that he lacks, he loves them! Where we hate them…. only method of killing them,is putting them into bucket of water….: ALSO LOOKING INTO ANOTHER METHOD OF KILLING THEM! CALLED EARTH DIATIMAS..WHITE POWDER! THAT YOU THROW ON YUR LAWN***AND IT EATS THIERRY SHE’LL LIKE ACID…MAYBE OUR BUG! FORUM GUY! WILL LOVE THAT….LOL

    Reply
    • Christ why are you still here? Would you go to a surgeon, physicist, or a news reporter and flip out if at them for not giving you extermination advice? Just because the people here know about entomology doesn’t mean they know about or are obligated to give you pest control advice, it’s not their job. There are plenty of places for what you’re asking for. Example:
      http://www.pestcontrol-forum.com/#/en/Home/
      You have no reason to be here. Please leave, your comments make you look like an angsty 12 year old throwing a tantrum.

      Reply
    • Christ why are you still here? Would you go to a surgeon, physicist, or a news reporter and flip out if at them for not giving you extermination advice? Just because the people here know about entomology doesn’t mean they know about or are obligated to give you pest control advice, it’s not their job. There are plenty of places for what you’re asking for. Example:
      http://www.pestcontrol-forum.com/#/en/Home/
      You have no reason to be here. Please leave, your comments make you look like an angsty 12 year old throwing a tantrum.

      Reply
    • Mike, serious question … are you stupid? Because that’s the impression you’re leaving on everyone who has ever visited this page for information.

      I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you so I expect I’m wasting my time.

      Bugman, visiting the in-laws on Long Island and just had one of these scare the bejeesus out of me. Thanks for the info.

      Reply
    • Mike, serious question … are you stupid? Because that’s the impression you’re leaving on everyone who has ever visited this page for information.

      I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you so I expect I’m wasting my time.

      Bugman, visiting the in-laws on Long Island and just had one of these scare the bejeesus out of me. Thanks for the info.

      Reply
  • Hi, I found a large (3 inch) female here in southern Colorado. I thought they typically live east of the Mississippi?

    Reply
  • Just found one in my back yard on a stone. We do have a lot of maple trees. We are in Wallingford, PA.

    Reply
  • Elizabeth A McNeece
    July 8, 2017 9:34 pm

    I have pictures of a female with her ovipositor extended. I can send them to you if you would like. I live in Arizona at about the 4,000 ft level

    Reply
    • You may send images using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site. Your image would really interest us because the Broad-Necked Root Borer does not range in Arizona, so you have a different species.

      Reply
  • Gene St. denis
    July 10, 2017 12:44 pm

    Daniel and Minnie , they release female pheromones this way , for mate attraction . Cheers ! Gene St. Denis Sierra Nevada Research

    Reply
  • Found in North Andover, MA. Emerge from under an oak tree every summer about the first week in July. Tend to be a favorite food of the Barr Owls.

    Reply
  • Found a male today in Eastern Pennsylvania, dry, lightly forested area. Kept trying to fly away but wasn’t able to, just opening his wings and buzzing/vibrating his body, then scuttling along the ground angrily. Haven’t seen one of them before so I’m quite curious. He doesn’t look hurt at all so I’m not sure why he couldn’t fly.

    Reply
  • is it poisenouis I found one in breaks virgina I killed it with a bbgun

    Reply
    • They are not venomous, nor are they poisonous, but as far as being “poisenouis” we cannot say.

      Reply
  • I just found one of these on my porch in New Orleans.

    Reply
  • John Hanson
    July 16, 2017 8:28 pm

    We found a dead female in our driveway this afternoon, we’re in Colorado Springs. Rolled over on her back, ovipositor was out, looked like she just couldn’t take the sun.

    Reply
  • Just found one in my kitchen, Ardrossan, Scotland. With the ovipositor out, are they harmful? I have a baby who is on the floor a lot.

    Reply
    • We don’t know exactly what you found, but we are pretty certain it is not the North American Broadnecked Root Borer.

      Reply
  • I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Reply
  • I just found on in Anderson, South Carolina. I was walking at night through the yard and it made me jump. When I stepped on it the inside was white and gooey. Any idea what that stuff is?

    Reply
  • Just saw one in my yard in Bristol, CT.

    Reply
  • Jessica Soule
    June 28, 2018 8:54 pm

    Hi I just came out side on my porch around 12am an saw my first broad necked root borer an I live in Jacksonville fl. So this bug has been sighted here too.

    Reply
  • About had a heart attack when a male flew right into my window last night “thud!”
    -Arkansas

    Reply
  • About had a heart attack when a male flew right into my window last night “thud!”
    -Arkansas

    Reply
  • OK SO I FOUND THE Drowned Broad Necked Root Borer BEETLE IN MY POOL IN LINDENWOLD NJ AND ITWAS NOT MOVING FOR A DAY AND I DECIDED TO KEEP IT AND I IS NOW MOVING. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IT EATS AND DRINKS AND WHAT I NEEDS TO LIVE!!!! THANKS SO MUCH

    Reply
    • According to BugGuide: “Adults eat foliage, sometimes damage fruit trees, grape vines.” You can try fruit tree leaves and grape leaves.

      Reply
  • what kind of fresh leaves

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  • Just saw one in Medford, MA, laying eggs, I suppose. Another larger one was nearby. A male?

    Reply
  • We just found one in Leicester, NC. The compositor had us concerned, looked like a stinger. Thanks to your site we know better.

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  • Thx for the info. I am wondering are Root borers okay to keep as pets.

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  • we just saw one!! it was really scary 0_0 do they travel in packs? I sure hope not!! <3

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  • Just found one of these inside my house in Vale, Oregon. Very scary bug. I would like to attach a photo but not sure how to do so.

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  • Do they bite? Does it have a stinger?

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    • Broad Necked Root Borers have powerful mandibles that they will use to bite (more of a pinch) to defend themselves. They do NOT sting.

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  • Found one in Carmel New York. Put it in a vented jar, lived here for 35 years and have never seen one before. Should die or live.

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  • Die die! Die. Nasty cock roaches on sreroids! Put them out of there misory…drowned them in 5 gal.bucket of h20

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  • We just saw one of these on a walk and saw eggs coming out in hopedale Massachusetts

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  • Just found one on Nantucket MA. Hanging out on an oak stake this morning.Every bit as big as my big lighter.

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  • David Hollands
    July 29, 2019 5:12 pm

    Just caught a large female, ovipositor extended, near our back deck, Peekskill, NY. I still can’t tell if this is good bug or not… I’d love to let it go and be part of the ecosystem, but I also know it loves oak trees, and we have a few that are near or over our house – worried that its larvae will infest one of our 80+ ft. tall oaks. Damage or tree service can be $1,000’s of dollars.

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  • I have just found one in the filter of our pool dead. We are in Southern France.

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  • I found one in my house in Lancaster, SC. Scared me to death.

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  • How do they differ from the Palo Verde beetle?

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    • wayne j zanchi
      June 20, 2021 5:33 pm

      I just found about 20 of these beetles coming up out of my front lawn. they are around my wife’s flower garden and 1 was found near a 5 year old Japanese maple which is 50 feet away from the garden. Should I call an exterminator or leave them be? They are pretty big, about 2 inches and there has been 2 females as well, according to pictures of them online.

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  • We found 2 of the females in our CT yard in the past 2 weeks. Terrifying creatures! We tend to be pretty anti pesticide. I’m wondering if those of you who have had these guys in your yards- did you have a lot of damage to your trees? We have a couple beautiful old trees that we love but would be heartbroken (and bank broken) should they get destroyed from the roots up. TIA!

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  • I believe we just found one of these dead in our pool today in Fort Pierce, Florida.

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  • I often see them near my area. Mostly during rainy season. Pune,
    India.

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  • I often see them near my area. Mostly during rainy season. Pune,
    India.

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  • I just found one of these today here in Central Pennsylvania! I came searching for answers and found this post. Such an alien-looking insect! So freaky but cool! Mostly freaky!

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  • Just found one in Bridgehampton, NY
    Thought it was a killer bee until I was directed here!

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  • Just found one in Bridgehampton, NY
    Thought it was a killer bee until I was directed here!

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  • Found one crawling across our living room floor in midcoast Maine today.

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  • Scooped a dead one out of pool in San Antonio, TX.

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  • My son found a dead one today. We live in central Georgia. Glad to hear that stinger looking thing is for depositing eggs and not stinging! Are these bugs regarded as destructive, or is their damage reparable by most trees/plants?

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