The Ivory-marked longhorn beetle, scientifically known as Eburia quadrigeminata, is a species of beetle found throughout North America. Their larvae bore into the heartwood of various deciduous trees, such as oak, hickory, maple, cherry, ash, and elm. In some cases, the lifespan of these beetles can be quite long, with adults sometimes emerging from finished furniture and flooring after 40 years source.
A common question arises about the bite of the Ivory-marked longhorn beetle: Is it poisonous? According to available information, there is no mention of these beetles being poisonous or having any venomous properties in their bites. However, one should keep in mind that beetle bites can still cause mild irritation or discomfort in some cases.
Is Ivory Marked Longhorn Beetle Bite Poisonous?
Symptoms and Effects
The ivory-marked longhorn beetle (Eburia quadrigeminata) is not known to be poisonous, so their bite is very unlikely to cause any serious harm. However, like any insect bite, there may be mild irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Some common symptoms include:
- Localized redness
- Swelling
- Itching
Treatment and Prevention
Since ivory-marked longhorn beetle bites are not poisonous, treatment mainly focuses on reducing irritation and preventing infection. Here are some steps to follow:
- Wash the affected area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines to alleviate itching.
To decrease the likelihood of getting bitten, consider these preventive measures:
- Avoid disturbing their habitats, like dead or decaying wood.
- Apply insect repellent if you are in areas where these beetles are known to be present.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants, when spending time outdoors in wooded areas.
Remember that these general guidelines are meant to help with mild reactions to a non-poisonous bite. Always consult a healthcare professional if you experience severe symptoms or have concerns about a bite or reaction.
Ivory Marked Longhorn Beetle: Biology and Characteristics
Physical Features
The ivory-marked longhorn beetle (Eburia quadrigeminata) is a brown to golden brown longhorned beetle measuring about 1/2 inch in length. Distinguishing features include:
- Four pairs of ivory spots on wings, each surrounded by a darker brown halo
- A small spine on each side of the thorax
- Long antennae, longer in males than in females
Distribution and Habitat
These beetles are native to North America and are commonly found in the eastern United States. They prefer hardwood, deciduous trees such as:
- Oak
- Hickory
- Maple
- Cherry
- Ash
- Elm
Ivory-marked longhorn beetles often infest dead or dying trees, contributing to the recycling of nutrients in forests.
Life Cycle and Development
The life cycle of ivory-marked longhorn beetles begins when a female lays her eggs in the crevices of hardwood trees. Upon hatching, the larvae bore deep into the heartwood, where they feed and develop as grubs. During this time, they can cause damage to infested trees and finished wood products like furniture and flooring.
These beetles have an incredibly long lifespan, with adults known to emerge from wood as long as 40 years after infestation. Once mature, they take on their recognizable brown color and ivory-marked wings, and can be seen flying around during summer months.
Host Trees and Damage
Types of Trees Affected
The ivory-marked longhorn beetle (Eburia quadrigeminata) is a wood-boring insect that primarily targets hardwood trees1. Some examples of hardwood trees affected by this beetle include:
- Oak
- Maple
- Ash
- Elm
- Hickory
- Cherry
- Locust
- Birch
These beetles are also known to infest tree products, such as birch bookcases.
Signs of Infestation
Signs of infestation by the ivory-marked longhorn beetle include:
- Circular or oval exit holes in the bark and heartwood of trees
- Presence of larvae or grubs in the wood
- Sawdust-like frass near the holes
| Trees affected | Infestation signs |
|---|---|
| Oak, Maple, Ash1 | Exit holes, larvae |
| Elm, Hickory | Sawdust-like frass |
| Cherry, Locust | Damaged wood, leaves, twigs2 |
| Birch | Infested furniture |
Although their bite is not poisonous, the ivory-marked longhorn beetle can cause significant damage to trees and tree products, especially in North America3. They are often attracted to lights at night, have long antennae, and distinctive white spots on their brown body4.
Control Measures
Wood Treatment Methods
- Chemical Treatment: Applying chemicals like insecticides can help protect hardwood trees and furniture from infestations. For instance, treating firewood with these chemicals can prevent beetles from laying eggs and reduce the risk of infestation.
- Physical Treatment: Sealing cracks in furniture, floors, and hardwood structures can deter beetle entry and infestation. Regular monitoring and maintenance of wooden surfaces would help avoid beetle attacks.
Monitoring and Detection
- Visual Inspection: Check for signs of infestation like tiny holes in hardwood furniture or flooring. Additionally, inspect firewood for any signs of damage or beetle presence.
- Traps: Setting up traps using pheromones or visual cues can help monitor and detect the presence of Ivory-marked Longhorn Beetles. This assists in early identification and prevention of infestations in hardwood trees and wooden structures.
Example Comparison Table:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Treatment | Highly effective in killing beetle larvae | May require repeat applications |
| Physical Treatment | Prevents beetle entry without using chemicals | Requires regular monitoring and maintenance |
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Footnotes
25 Comments. Leave new
Could it possibly be Psygmatocerus wagleri? I was searching around on the same site that your expert Eric Eaton used to i.d. the Feather Horned Longicorn from Australia, and I came across this link… http://www.cerambycoidea.com/foto.asp?Id=891 Hope this helps.
Tina
This is a Leptura quadrifasciata L. 1758. Formerly known as Strangalia quadrifasciata. By the looks of it it is a male because the tip of female antennae is yellow (last three segments). Males have black antennae. It is a widespreaded and common longhorn, at least in the Northern Europe. You can find them on flowers. In that site what you mentioned that guy is on page
http://www.cerambyx.uochb.cz//lquadri.htm .
By the way sorry for my bad grammar.
It would trick me, seems to mimic meloids http://www.flickr.com/photos/14988266@N05/9478734104
I think that the insect on the picture should be some kind of Phasmatodea. If I look the third leg pair in the third picture then I can’t imagine how could he jump. The head is also like Phasmatodea’s have.
Katydid Expert Piotr Naskrecki provides an answer
Hi Eric,
This pretty animal is either the genus Olcinia or Sathrophyllia, both common
katydids in Borneo and peninsular Malaysia (hard to tell them apart without
seeing the wing venation.) They are members of the Pseudophyllinae:
Cymatomerini.
Cheers,
Piotr
This looks like Pachyteria dimidiata (Cerambycinae: Callichromatini), found throughout tropical and sub-tropical Asia from Iran to Borneo. In Thailand it is considered a wood boring pest on fruit and ornamental trees, particularly the Iron Wood Tree (Mimusops elengi); in fact the common name there appears to be the Mimusop Stem Borer. You can find another photo of this beetle (also from Vietnam) on WTB at: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/08/01/longicorn-from-viet-nam-pachyteria-dimidiata/
is the ivory marked beetle poison. it bit a youth and died after it bit. the youth says he feels ill now. was this caused from the bug bite
Is this bug poisonous??
No
I found this bug in my kitchen. I had shopped at 3 stores one of the stores is Ollie’s a discount store which has a little of everything I was in the pottery dept for while and the items that I bought when I got home I put on the counter in the kitchen, later that evening I found this bug the ivory marked beetle
Well if these are supposed to be in FLA. they are definitely on the move. I live in TN & had one land on the neck of my shirt this evening. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen one either. My wife found your website while trying to identify it.
The Ivory Marked Beetle has a much greater range than just Florida. See the map of reported sightings on BugGuide which includes Tennessee.
An Ivory Marked Beetle appeared the other night on the mirror in my children’s bathroom. I’d never seen such a beetle before and understand that it’s larvae can rest for 10-40 years inside wood or furniture. I live in central NJ. Questions: Will there be more of these in my house? I put it outside–was that the wrong thing to do? Should I notify anyone about this beetle being in my house and now outside? (Someone said I should not have put it outside!)
Thanks for your help.
They are native to your area, so releasing the beetle is not a problem. We would suspect that the adult beetle entered the home, perhaps being attracted to the lights, sooner than we would suspect it emerged from milled lumber, though that is a possibility.
I saw it flying around in my den, knocked it down, found it 2 days later still living, put it in water and took it out still moving it’s legs. slowly dying i hope!
I was bit by a Ivroy beetle I want to know if it will make me sick
Ivory Marked Beetles have no poison or venom.
I have found two of these in my house this week. First in a downstairs bathroom, the second in an upstairs bathroom. Both were on the wall near the sink. What should I do with it? If it found on hardwood trees, how is it in my house?
Either they were attracted to lights, or they might have emerged from wood paneling or furniture.
I do believe I have witnessed the birth of two, mere inches from one another, however, 2 weeks apart. The 2×4 that holds my garage door opener is directly above where I found them, and there are two holes, 3/16 to 1/4 of an inch, with grey…..something…inside.
That 2×4 was there long before I moved here, 11 years ago.
The Ivory Marked Beetle is notorious for emerging from wood milled many years before the sightings.
This was quite helpful! I found one of these little fellows on my wall! I released him into my yard in SW Missouri. I had never seen one before! I ran inside to get my camera (I’m a photographer) and when I came back, it was gone!
Found one on my night stand, scared the crap outta me although now learning hes harmless gives me peace of mind.
hI I WAS INQUIRING A BUG IDENTIFICATION PLEASE HELP
Found one of these on the back of my shirt. I felt it bite me, glad to have found this site to know it’s not poisonous. I did scare the bajesus out of me though. I took a picture of it with the google pic app. Love this app I will say or I probably wouldn’t have known what it was. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana thanks