Subject: Giant something in garage
Geographic location of the bug: North East Utah
Date: 08/08/2019
Time: 11:35 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I found this thing in my garage. We have an inground pool and do leave outdoor lights on at night.
Should I be scared or should I fryM up?
How you want your letter signed: Bug Master
Dear Bug Master,
This is a Root Borer in the genus Prionus, and we strongly suspect it is a California Root Borer, Prionus californicus, which is pictured on BugGuide. Despite its name, the California Root Borer’s range includes much of western North America. We would not rule out that it might be Prionus heroicus, which is also reported from Utah on BugGuide. Either way, those impressive antennae indicate this is a male Root Borer. Root Borers have powerful mandibles, so they should be handled with caution, but they are not considered dangerous. Many species are attracted to lights.