Root borer beetles are a diverse group of insects that can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs. These beetles’ larvae bore into a plant’s roots, disrupting the flow of nutrients and water, ultimately weakening or killing the plant. Knowing how to identify and control these pests is crucial for maintaining healthy landscapes and gardens.
There are several types of root borer beetles, including clearwing borers, which are larvae of moths that resemble wasps, such as peach tree, lesser peach tree, dogwood, lilac, and ash tree borer borers. Another common borer found on shrubs is the rhododendron stem borer, an invasive pest primarily affecting Prunus plants, such as cherry laurels rhododendron stem borer. Signs of damage include holes in the bark, reddish frass, leaf yellowing, and dieback.
Understanding the life cycle and behaviors of root borer beetles is vital for implementing effective control measures. Prevention methods include proper plant care, pruning, and using chemical or biological controls when necessary. Early detection and intervention help reduce long-term damage, ensuring a healthy and vibrant landscape.
Root Borer Beetle Identification
Longhorn Beetle Family
The Root Borer Beetle belongs to the Cerambycidae family, also known as the Longhorn Beetle family due to their long antennae. Some common features of these beetles include:
- Generally brown or black in color
- Long antennae that can be as long as their body
Prionus Californicus
Prionus Californicus, or the California Root Borer, is a species of Longhorn Beetle found in the Western United States. Its distinguishing characteristics are:
- Dark brown or black color
- Antennae with 10-12 segments
Giant Root Borer
The Giant Root Borer (Prionus imbricornis) is another species of Longhorn Beetle native to the Eastern United States. Here are some of its key features:
- Large size, can reach up to 3 inches in length
- Dark brown or black color with greyish-brown wings
Comparison Table
| Prionus Californicus | Giant Root Borer | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Dark brown/black | Dark brown/black |
| Antennae | 10-12 segments | Can be as long as body |
| Location | Western United States | Eastern United States |
Remember, when trying to identify a Root Borer Beetle, pay attention to the color, antennae, and origin of the beetle.
Life Cycle of Root Borer Beetle
Eggs
Root borer beetles begin their life as eggs, which are typically deposited either within the soil or on host plant bark. Female beetles lay eggs individually or in clusters, depending on the species. An example of a root borer beetle, the Lilac Borer, deposits its eggs on the bark of lilac and privet plants.
Larval Stage
Upon hatching, root borer larvae start feeding on the roots, stems, or bark of their host plants. They are usually whitish and slightly curved. At this stage, larvae cause the most damage to plants by burrowing and consuming plant material. A larva’s feeding period can last months or even years, depending on the species.
Pupa Stage
After feeding and growing in size, the larvae progress to the pupation stage. During pupation, root borer beetles inhabit protective cells within plant tissue or soil, going through metamorphosis before emerging as adults.
Adult Stage
Adult root borer beetles are winged and can fly to locate mates and suitable host plants. Males and females usually mate after emerging from their respective pupal cells. Adult beetles have a comparably shorter life span than their larval stage and do not cause the same degree of damage to plants as larvae. Adult root borers generally feed on plant foliage or flowers.
Key features of the Root Borer Beetle life cycle:
- Egg deposition on soil or host plant bark
- Larval stage involving feeding and significant plant damage
- Pupation within protective cells
- Short-lived adult stage focused on reproduction and limited feeding
Habitat and Distribution
Range of Root Borer Beetle
The Root Borer Beetle, such as the California Root Borer, can be found in a wide range, extending from Alaska to Mexico. Their distribution includes:
- Southwest: They are common in the southwestern United States.
- Alaska: Some species can survive the colder climates of Alaska.
- Mexico: They are found in habitats as far south as Mexico.
Preferred Trees and Shrubs
Root Borer Beetles have a preference for certain trees and shrubs. Some examples include:
- Soil: They generally prefer moist, well-draining soil to lay their eggs.
- Deciduous trees: Deciduous trees like oak trees are often targeted by these beetles.
- Fruit trees: They are known to attack fruit trees such as peach, cherry, and apple trees.
- Brambles: Root Borer Beetles can also infest brambles like raspberries and blackberries.
The table below compares the preferred trees and shrubs of Root Borer Beetles:
| Deciduous Trees | Fruit Trees | Brambles |
|---|---|---|
| Oak trees | Peach trees | Raspberries |
| Elm trees | Cherry trees | Blackberries |
| Willow trees | Apple trees |
The habitat and distribution of Root Borer Beetles are essential factors to consider when trying to manage or prevent infestations in trees and shrubs. By understanding the areas they inhabit and their preferences, you can take more effective steps to protect your plants.
Feeding and Diet
The diet of a root borer beetle is mainly focused on consuming plant roots. They primarily feed on decaying root material and are known for causing significant damage to various plants and trees.
- Eat: roots, fruit, and insects
- Prefer: root material
Root borer beetles have a diverse diet that includes roots of various plant species. Some examples of plants they can attack are:
- Orchards
- Landscape trees
- Shrubs
These beetles may also feed on fruit or insects when they come across them. However, their main source of nutrients is obtained from their consumption of root material. This feeding behavior makes them a problematic group of insects for many gardeners and landscapers.
| Root Borer Beetle Diet | Other Insects’ Diet |
|---|---|
| Decaying root material | Leaves, nectar, etc. |
| Primarily roots | Diverse food sources |
| Occasionally fruit | Plant sap, insects |
| Seldom insects | Fruits, seeds |
The key features of a root borer beetle’s feeding and diet include:
- Targeting plant roots
- Consuming decaying root material
- Damaging various plant species
- Primarily preferring roots but can adapt to other food sources when available
In conclusion, root borer beetles have a specialized diet that mainly consists of plant roots. They can significantly impact gardens and landscapes due to their destructive feeding habits.
Infestations and Damage
Signs of Infestation
- Tunnels: Borers create tunnels in the trunk and branches
- Frass: Presence of sawdust-like debris called frass near the base of the tree
- Holes: Small, round exit holes on the bark
Impact on Trees
- Sap Flow: Infested trees may have reduced sap flow, leading to weakened limbs
- Foliage: Affected trees may display yellowing leaves or premature leaf drop
- Susceptibility to Disease: Borer infestations can increase a tree’s vulnerability to diseases
Tree Root Damage
- Compromised Structural Integrity: Tree root borers can damage the sapwood and heartwood, weakening the structural integrity of the roots
- Decreased Nutrient Absorption: Damaged roots have a reduced ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil
Comparison of Common Tree Borers
| Borer Type | Tunnels | Impact on Trees | Tree Root Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Borer | Yes | Impairs sap flow, increased susceptibility to disease | Compromises structural integrity, decreases nutrient absorption |
| Bark Beetle | Yes | Kills the tree by girdling, increased susceptibility to disease | Minimal |
| Emerald Ash Borer | Yes | Death of the tree, ash species specific | Minimal |
Examples:
- The rhododendron stem borer often infests shrubs, causing leaf yellowing and dieback
- Red oak borer mainly targets oak and maple trees, and can be a significant pest in nurseries
Prevention and Control
Cultural Practices
One way to prevent and control root borer beetles is through cultural practices. Maintaining healthy trees and plants with proper care can help avoid infestations. For example:
- Provide adequate water to your plants, especially during periods of rain
- Prune dead branches and remove weak, unhealthy trees
These practices can help reduce the risk of root borer beetle infestations in your orchard or other agricultural crops.
Biological Control
- Woodpeckers are natural predators of root borer beetles and can help reduce their numbers
- Parasitic insects such as wasps can also help control root borer populations
Chemical Control
Chemical control methods should be used as a last resort for root borer beetle management. Some options are:
- Pheromone traps: These can be used to monitor and manage root borer numbers in your area
- Soil injection: This method involves injecting pesticides into the soil near infested trees, but it should only be done by a professional tree care service or exterminator
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural | Environmentally friendly, promotes plant health | May not be effective for severe infestations |
| Biological | Natural, sustainable control methods | May not provide quick control of large populations |
| Chemical | Can be effective in extreme cases | Can be harmful to the environment and non-target species |
Remember to always consult a professional before using chemicals for pest control, and follow the label instructions carefully.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
References and Resources
The Home & Garden Information Center offers valuable information on wood-boring beetles, including the old house borer, a cerambycid beetle, and its impact on homes. For images and more details on how to identify and control them, this resource is beneficial.
At the University of Maryland Extension, you can learn about clearwing borers, their larvae, and their effect on trees. The site provides insight into signs of damage caused by these insects.
For information on borer insects affecting shrubs, the University of Maryland Extension discusses the rhododendron stem borer and other common beetle borers. You can learn about their impact on cherry laurel and other shrubs.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a good resource for learning about the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood-boring beetle. This site offers identification tips, images, and insights into the beetle’s lifecycle.
Lastly, the UC Integrated Pest Management Program provides guidelines on managing the eucalyptus longhorned borer, including information on how to identify, prevent, and control infestations. They also share which eucalyptus species are more susceptible to infestations.
To summarize, these resources provide comprehensive information on various types of root borer beetles, their identification, and control methods. Utilizing these references will enhance your understanding of these pests and help prevent damage they cause.
88 Comments. Leave new
Hi Karl, whats your source for this? This is indeed a Callipogon armillatus, but I didnt knew that it also occurs on the caribean islands?
Hi Karl & Daniel,
I found one of these big boys (head to tail 9,4 cm) yesterday in my garden in Maragogi, state of Alagoas in Brazil.
We are suffering of lots of insects which infect our coconut trees, some of them died or dying. Can you tell me if this Callipogon Armillatus is a threat to coconut trees and if so, how to fight it without chemicals?
PS we found a lot of so called coconut tree rhino beetles (5cm) and their larves (up to 8 cm long).. please help
thanks a lot! By the way, super website!
Sandrijn van Hoof
I think it is more likely to be Anomophysis aegrota.
Thanks for the correction. We believe Anomophysis aegrota looks to be a closer match as well.
hi, great images. My name is CK Lam and our company is doing a not for profit exhibition in Hong Kong, involving photos of various bugs and animals, and would like to use one of the your above images. Thanks
Dear CK Lam,
Thanks for contacting us. Since you are a nonprofit exhibition, we will grant you permission to use one of the images for your exhibition.
We rescued a Palo Verde Root Borer Beetle out of our pool this evening. Now my boys want to keep him as a pet. Any idea what the adults eat? Are they safe to keep? They boys won’t be holding him, just observing.
You might try the foliage of the Palo Verde. We are uncertain of the diet of adults. They may live off of stored fat accumulated as a grub.
I live in Southern California and found one in my front yard. I live in High Desert. Has one been found in California before?
The California Root Borer, Prionus californicus, is found in California.
Thank you for the identification, and I will be sure to talk to my neighbor about what he sprayed and where. If he’s endangering any other animals in any way, I’ll alert him to his actions.
Thanks Josh.
Not Trichocnemis spiculatus. Actually Derobrachus hovorei
Thanks for the correction.
hello i have them under my trees. How do i get rid of them without killing my trees? thank you
we do not give extermination advice.
How do you get rid of the larva they have killed two palo verde trees just found a larve that was 6-7 inches thick as my thumb!! How do I kill them and can i plant in the same area again
Thanks Cynthia
We don’t know what you can do to treat Palo Verde if it has been infested with Palo Verde Borer larvae.
See adult insect here: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2012/07/02/ponderous-borer-8/
How do you get rid of the larva they have killed two palo verde trees just found a larve that was 6-7 inches thick as my thumb!! How do I kill them and can i plant in the same area again
Thanks Cynthia
So, what is the best way to control these root borers? Found 3 last year and tonight I must have collected 20 of them, coming out of the ground! Was like a creep show, for sure!
We do not provide extermination advice.
Get some chickens. They love them!
I found one of these crawling in my neighbors deck. I’m in South Jersey.
More likely a Broad Necked Root Borer. The males (See: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/07/26/drowned-broad-necked-root-borer/ )
and the females (See: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/06/30/bug-of-the-month-july-2011-broad-necked-root-borer/ ) exhibit marked sexual dimorphism.
I found 2 Palo Verde Root Borers, living in my garage, here in Las Vegas, NV (near Valley View and Alta). Not really sure what they are eating, but I found a different one, and killed it out of instinct, thinking it was a cockroach (I felt bad when I realized it was NOT one.)
What do I do with them? One of them was in the garage, and I sort of swept it out last night; clearly, it snuck back in to live with its friend. I really don’t want them…..
They might be attracted to lights. Try shutting off the lights when they are not needed.
I found 2 Palo Verde Root Borers, living in my garage, here in Las Vegas, NV (near Valley View and Alta). Not really sure what they are eating, but I found a different one, and killed it out of instinct, thinking it was a cockroach (I felt bad when I realized it was NOT one.)
What do I do with them? One of them was in the garage, and I sort of swept it out last night; clearly, it snuck back in to live with its friend. I really don’t want them…..
I just found one of these in my garden today. It’s the first I can recall seeing. I’m also in Monmouthshire – Usk.
Just found one in my bathroom, attracted to the light on a warm summers evening . St Athan – Vale of Glamorgan
I found three of these things in ONE hole in a Pecan Tree in Texas, about an hour east of San Antonio, in Seguin. They match all of the photos I seen on the net. It says the larva feeds on the roots but the hole was at least 7 feet off the ground.
We believe they will also bore in the trunks of trees, and seven feet from the ground is not very high for a large nut tree.
One of my co-workers thinks he found one of these guys in El Cerrito, CA (Northern CA) at a school were I teach. I think that we’re way too far north and there are no Palo Verde trees up here. What do you think we might have found?
There are many relatives in the subfamily Prioninae that look quite similar and several are found in Northern California.
Thank you for the ID, Bugman. Now I have a name in which to attach to the fear that will continue to consume me. Your warning regarding the sharp mandibles was much appreciated. There will be no handling of this creature for me. While it was most disheartening to discover that they do indeed fly, I find myself more bothered by the fact that there is likely a mate nearby.
Thank you for your efforts in the identification. I take refuge in the fact that tomorrow brings a new day….. and one less day for this particular California Prionus.
….until tomorrow….. when I will face the reality of venturing back out into enemy territory.
Nicole
Face your fears Nicole. Embrace your sighting as it seems females are encountered far less frequently than males.
Thank you for the ID, Bugman. Now I have a name in which to attach to the fear that will continue to consume me. Your warning regarding the sharp mandibles was much appreciated. There will be no handling of this creature for me. While it was most disheartening to discover that they do indeed fly, I find myself more bothered by the fact that there is likely a mate nearby.
Thank you for your efforts in the identification. I take refuge in the fact that tomorrow brings a new day….. and one less day for this particular California Prionus.
….until tomorrow….. when I will face the reality of venturing back out into enemy territory.
Nicole
The big summer monsoons have began here in Arizona. The last major dust storm which blew through a few weeks ago, brought a huge beetle like the one pictured above. A few days later after that night, I found one floating dead in the pool. I am terribly afraid of most any beetles, especially those which resemble cockroaches (we have HUUUGE ones which get bigger the closer to the mountains which are everywhere in Arizona)! I was besides myself and can’t bring myself to look at them.
I have no idea why I have this phobia because I am typically a person that tries to save these small life forms instead of giving them the snapper. It is different with what my mind thinks are cockroaches. Then I go into survival mode and look to give them the STOMPER! It is a fight or flight mode, unless it’s NOT a roach. These things do not move like roaches (they are actually pretty slow, but I don’t know if they have a fast mode) and I really didn’t get the feeling they were, but they are ENORMOUS!! They seem to be more a beetle than a roach. That’s why I came searching here.
I found ANOTHER one just yesterday in the afternoon. It was hanging under the overhang of the house, staying out of the sun. I knew the monsoons blew them in or they flew over from the many palm trees we have around here (and Palo Verdes) due to the weather. The house is stucco so it gives plenty of surface to hang on to (two stayed on the house, one died in the pool). Like cockroaches, these bugs seem to be subterranean because we rarely see them hanging out. There are a lot of crickets around the house, but honestly, I’ve never seen a cockroach or closely related cockroach-like beetle (I forget the name of the kind that live outside and root beneath the dirt – Oh yeah! Palmetto Bugs!) around here. Maybe the cricket population gets them first?
Anyways, I was concerned about health (my youngest is very allergic to cockroaches) if these were a similar type of bug. From the sounds of it, they are part of the ecosystem of the Palo Verde trees. As I stated, possibly they get blown about in the big dust storms and monsoons so common here in the dry Southwest. Almost like a forced migration if they come out this time of year. Thoughts?
In our opinion, the monsoon conditions have triggered the emergence of the adult beetles which have awaited the ideal weather conditions in the pupal stage. We do not believe they have blown in.
I see. Apparently your group is not from the Southwest and don’t know how powerful dust storms (which raise HUGE walls of desert sand and dirt) can be. I read a blog (thedragonflywoman.com for reference) that described the night raids of these beetles during their mating season. To understand, the movement of the beetle doesn’t have to rely on its own short cycled life span once above ground. It is very possible they are lifted after coming above ground by these torrid storms.
Since you guys are experts in the entomology arena, maybe you should do a bit more research on other environmental affects which impact the life cycle of such creatures. I wrote a plethora of info in descriptive, your answer was redundant and gave no new information (opine doesn’t matter much when facts are requested) since I already notated they could have come from a neighboring eco-shelter like a palm tree or adjacent Palo Verde. We have a 12,000 square foot lot with no Palo Verdes in our yard. None of the neighbors do either. Most everyone in the entire neighborhood has pools and pleeeeenty of Palms. The bugs are simply not fast enough to have walked here and they need to be around others to mate (I would consider that they’d like to be in the vicinity of Palo Verdes to do so since they only have a month to live).
Hmmmm??? Seems like I answered my own question.
At this optimal and active part of the year for the Root Borer Beetle to our native Palo Verdes, seems, at least according to some sources, they get blown around quite a bit. Maybe they blew in from an adjacent neighborhood (This one is 30 years old and I haven’t ever seen them here) that has an active Palo Verde population of beetles. All depends on the landscaping design. Palo Verdes are not a part of the immediate neighborhood (which hosts relatively spacious lots), but there’s a resort, adjacent mall, corporate sector and other landscape designs nearby which I’m sure host Palo Verdes. Maybe a little more research would have proven a better answer from the experts. I thought this was a fact based site and that’s why I posed my question here. Anyone else have more info?
The big summer monsoons have began here in Arizona. The last major dust storm which blew through a few weeks ago, brought a huge beetle like the one pictured above. A few days later after that night, I found one floating dead in the pool. I am terribly afraid of most any beetles, especially those which resemble cockroaches (we have HUUUGE ones which get bigger the closer to the mountains which are everywhere in Arizona)! I was besides myself and can’t bring myself to look at them.
I have no idea why I have this phobia because I am typically a person that tries to save these small life forms instead of giving them the snapper. It is different with what my mind thinks are cockroaches. Then I go into survival mode and look to give them the STOMPER! It is a fight or flight mode, unless it’s NOT a roach. These things do not move like roaches (they are actually pretty slow, but I don’t know if they have a fast mode) and I really didn’t get the feeling they were, but they are ENORMOUS!! They seem to be more a beetle than a roach. That’s why I came searching here.
I found ANOTHER one just yesterday in the afternoon. It was hanging under the overhang of the house, staying out of the sun. I knew the monsoons blew them in or they flew over from the many palm trees we have around here (and Palo Verdes) due to the weather. The house is stucco so it gives plenty of surface to hang on to (two stayed on the house, one died in the pool). Like cockroaches, these bugs seem to be subterranean because we rarely see them hanging out. There are a lot of crickets around the house, but honestly, I’ve never seen a cockroach or closely related cockroach-like beetle (I forget the name of the kind that live outside and root beneath the dirt – Oh yeah! Palmetto Bugs!) around here. Maybe the cricket population gets them first?
Anyways, I was concerned about health (my youngest is very allergic to cockroaches) if these were a similar type of bug. From the sounds of it, they are part of the ecosystem of the Palo Verde trees. As I stated, possibly they get blown about in the big dust storms and monsoons so common here in the dry Southwest. Almost like a forced migration if they come out this time of year. Thoughts?
Thank you kindly for your thorough response. I see…Artists. I am your readership as well. Your comments will help me create a better request if I should use your site as I have on various occasions prior.
I never said I hurt bugs or am overly fearful. Just beetles due to associating them to the disease weilding cockroach. As well I try to educate myself by researching and learning so I am not unnecessarily reactive. The very clear photos were a wonderful teaching tool for me to determine the 1,000% probability (forgoing a DNA test for bugs, lol and joking) it is a PVRBB. Also, I only mentioned that crickets eat cockroaches. The roach is a bug I react to, mostly due to fight or flight. That was my whole point of writing, to make sure I didn’t harm something of absolutely no threat to us. The PVRBB does scare with its ominous looking “presence” and massive mandibles, but can’t hurt us disease/contagion wise.
So point well taken: I’ll be more clear and not expect the people who give these answers for free to do all the work. Sorry for the public flogging on both sides. It wasn’t my intent to injure your community. Please accept my apologies.
The Palo Verde Root Borers do not carry diseases to humans, though we can’t comment on the possibility of them spreading pathogens to the trees they feed upon. For the record, Cockroaches are allegedly quite clean, though they do have a reputation for spreading filth. Beetles and Cockroaches, though they share some superficial physical similarities, are not closely related to one another. Cockroaches are actually most closely related to Termites as they are in the same order, Blattodea. Crickets are opportunistic, and we imagine they will take advantage of dead or dying Cockroaches as food, though we have not heard of any documentation of Crickets preying upon healthy, fully-grown Cockroaches. Also for the record, DNA testing is the only certain way of ascertaining the true species identities in some genera of butterflies that all look very similar.
Thank you kindly for your thorough response. I see…Artists. I am your readership as well. Your comments will help me create a better request if I should use your site as I have on various occasions prior.
I never said I hurt bugs or am overly fearful. Just beetles due to associating them to the disease weilding cockroach. As well I try to educate myself by researching and learning so I am not unnecessarily reactive. The very clear photos were a wonderful teaching tool for me to determine the 1,000% probability (forgoing a DNA test for bugs, lol and joking) it is a PVRBB. Also, I only mentioned that crickets eat cockroaches. The roach is a bug I react to, mostly due to fight or flight. That was my whole point of writing, to make sure I didn’t harm something of absolutely no threat to us. The PVRBB does scare with its ominous looking “presence” and massive mandibles, but can’t hurt us disease/contagion wise.
So point well taken: I’ll be more clear and not expect the people who give these answers for free to do all the work. Sorry for the public flogging on both sides. It wasn’t my intent to injure your community. Please accept my apologies.
Thanks, Bugman, all useful info here in the SW where there is an abundance of all of those. My little one and I especially like the butterflies! You guys take care. We’ll see you all on our next bug expedition!
Well. I guess I’m lucky. Because I encountered yet another one of these Jurassic Park demons just last night.
Horrible.
🙁
Thanks for letting us know.
Well. I guess I’m lucky. Because I encountered yet another one of these Jurassic Park demons just last night.
Horrible.
🙁
yuckkety yuk yuk lol
I just came home and “Palo Verde Root Borer” was waiting at the door. I thought it was “Stag beetle”, very familiar in Japan, but has sinner horn. I called boys, 43, 16, 13, 11 to show them but they were all Chikened. So I put him on the ash tree. Livibg here for 17 years but 1st time seeing it in Las Vegas. I wish I could keep it..hahaha
I had one of these crazy looking things in my house hanging out on the paper towel rack in the kitchen. OMG!! Scared the you know what out of me.
Hope I never see another one.
I had one of these crazy looking things in my house hanging out on the paper towel rack in the kitchen. OMG!! Scared the you know what out of me.
Hope I never see another one.
Thanks for this – found one in my daughter’s bedroom in Colchester, Essex and thought it was a toy it was so big! Couldn’t ID it then stumbled on the post
I’m chopping up a rotting maple that fell in my back yard this summer. Today, I discovered some grubs that looked like the Michelin Man. What a cow! Since this site doesn’t endorse extermination, I promise not to eat any.
This Ivan damaged tree is host to a number of insects including termites, so it’s time to get rid of it.
Your description is quite visual.
I’m chopping up a rotting maple that fell in my back yard this summer. Today, I discovered some grubs that looked like the Michelin Man. What a cow! Since this site doesn’t endorse extermination, I promise not to eat any.
This Ivan damaged tree is host to a number of insects including termites, so it’s time to get rid of it.
Nicole , I believe that you have a beautiful Prionus californicus – male or Prionus heroicus – male . Cheers ! Gene St. Denis Sierra Nevada Research
As always, thanks for your expert comments Gene.
One was flying while I was checking my headlight my son has to question if they bite or not I really don’t know and I hate flying things bees bigger insects than me LOL!?
“If they bite” is always a very difficult concept for us to address, because almost anything with a mouth is capable of biting. No one ever seems to question if a person will bite another, yet every person is capable of biting another person. That does not mean that we exist in a constant state of paranoia that each new person we might meet in a given day is going to bite. Beetles have mandibles, meaning their mouths are all capable of biting a human, and Longhorned Beetles in the family Cerambycidae, including the Palo Verde Root Borer, have especially strong mandibles that need to chew their way out of the woody habitat where they larvae were feeding. Additionally, the Palo Verde Root Borer is a large beetle with larger and stronger mandibles. Palo Verde Root Borers are quite capable of biting a person and the resulting bite is likely to be painful and might even draw blood, however the bite is not considered dangerous. The typical behavior of the Palo Verde Root Borers does NOT include biting people, however, if one is carelessly handled, a painful bite might be the result.
these things come out of my yard… out of the ground.. they leave a hole about an inch wide.. they do fly… not very well. They do not live long, i always see dead ones around.. this is part of the summer i dont like..
Found a RB Beetle in my garage munching on (or trying to eat) the carpet which lines my cat’s “kitty condo”. Got some nice pics if you want.
Steve in Prescott Valley, Arizona
Found a RB Beetle in my garage munching on (or trying to eat) the carpet which lines my cat’s “kitty condo”. Got some nice pics if you want.
Steve in Prescott Valley, Arizona
We live in Yucca Valley, CA…north of Palm Springs (high desert). I just found one in a planter and freaked…it’s too big to be real! We just had pine trees removed, so maybe it came from those? Do they bite? Any way to use a pest control to NOT have these in our yard? also have seen some large wood roaches in garage and house…that was bad enough.
We do not provide extermination advice. You should speak to the exterminator, though in our opinion, it is a waste of money. They larvae live underground for several years and there is no way to predict exactly where they are, so we cannot imaging an exterminator being able to prevent them from appearing. Large Prionids may bite if carelessly handled, but they will not fly up to you and attack.
A beetle, in my apt. Bit 2 of my cats tongues. Black, hardshell, didn’t notice any horns. Severe bites, swollen and unable to eat 12 hours now. Are these beetles seasonal and bad in August? Michigan
Palo Verde Root Borers are active from June through August, according to Bugguide. We just noticed you have a second comment that indicates you are in Michigan. The Palo Verde Root Borer is NOT found in Michigan, however, other related Prionid Beetles are found in Michigan. See BugGuide for examples.
I’m definitely late on this one, but having just seen one of these beetles in Tónala, Mexico… I can tell you that it’s not exactly the same as a Palo Verde Borer Beetle. For one, it is only April, so it’s early for the Palo Verde. What’s more, it’s missing those orange appendages next to its mouth. It’s also not quite as dark in color as it’s relative from the north.
Thanks for the input.
Wow…I just thought this was a fun place to bring my grandson to try to spot the bugs we see in the yard. I was content until I found out you guys aren’t 10000% accurate…but thank you for appeasing us to now. Oh this doesn’t mean we’ll be leaving!!!…We’ll just know you aren’t 10000% accurate…huh
We make many mistakes, but they aren’t generally too far off the mark. We depend on the huge internet network of insect experts to assist us.
Well we come and we so appreciate you! This is an awesome site and very informative.
ANYONE can make a mistake and yes, there are other places we could search but this one is friendly and beautifully done. Thank you! : )
Well we come and we so appreciate you! This is an awesome site and very informative.
ANYONE can make a mistake and yes, there are other places we could search but this one is friendly and beautifully done. Thank you! : )
I found one of these today on my front porch. I live 10 mins north of Albuquerque. I have lived in this area my whole life and have never seen one of these.
My kids and I found one of these near a garage in our apartments at night on Lamb and Owens on July 27th 2019. We thought it was a large roach and decided to capture it to identify it. We will release it, but it was an interesting find.
I found a beetle on my patio that looks like the picture in bugguide and it indicates that it is a Prionus heroicus long horned beetle in the family Cerambycidac. How do I determine if there are more in my area and what do I do to get rid of them.
We do not provide extermination advice.
It seems to me that here in São Paulo, the only option is C. acanthopus:
https://apps2.cdfa.ca.gov/publicApps/plant/bycidDB/wdetails.asp?id=286&w=n
Thanks for the correction Cesar.
Oi Cesar, não consegui abrir esse link sobre o que seria? Eu gostaria de saber mais sobre essa espécie..
Hoje 27/10 vi um bem parecido novamente, quase 1 ano depois desses da foto
It seems to me that here in São Paulo, the only option is C. acanthopus:
https://apps2.cdfa.ca.gov/publicApps/plant/bycidDB/wdetails.asp?id=286&w=n
Oi Cesar, não consegui abrir esse link sobre o que seria? Eu gostaria de saber mais sobre essa espécie..
Hoje 27/10 vi um bem parecido novamente, quase 1 ano depois desses da foto
Bugman, I think I love you. I find folks who do things for the sheer joy of helping others to make up a large majority of the people I choose to interact with. Thanks.
thanks for your kind comment
So, I am searching all over the interweb looking for the ID of a HUGE beetle that has infiltrated my house. At first it was in my screen (on the outside of it) and the next night the big bugger was flying at my front door. It landed and strolled into my livin room as if it owned the house. It now owns my house. How long will it be alive in my living room before I can go back down there? I’m not ballsy enough to go hunt it down to get it out, it looks a bit leaner than I am. Please someone help. It’s 07/09/2020 in paulding county Georgia, if I don’t respond after y’all have acknowledged my message please send help, it’s takin over completely and killed me and my family. Thanks in advance
There are many large Prionids in your area, including the Tile Horned Prionus and the Broad Necked Root Borer.
Davin, it has been two years. I hope you and your family survived. I found one of these just now in our store. I put it on a piece of paper and brought it out to the woods. It kept turning and walking around the paper. I about picked it up with my hands but then saw it’s “pinchers”. Decided a very fast run and flail holding it on paper would be a better suite. This is not the first one I have seen. If you survived, please reach out. Best regards, Amanda
I read in here that the mother lays the eggs in the trees. Clearly here she carries them on her back
Rolled over her with a golf cart
I just found one in Wellington Texas