Tile Horned Prionus: Quick Facts & Essential Info

The Tile Horned Prionus is a fascinating beetle that often goes unnoticed due to its nocturnal behavior and tendency to hide during the day. These robust and somewhat flat beetles have distinctive antennae that are about half the length of their bodies. In this article, you’ll get an up-close look at these amazing insects and learn everything you need to know about them.

You might come across these beetles around pecan, hickory, and oak trees, as they play a vital role in the ecosystem. The female Tile Horned Prionus lays eggs in the soil surrounding these trees, and the larvae feed on the tree roots. The development process takes around three to five years before they reach maturity and pupate.

Their large size, unique antennae, and fascinating life cycle set this beetle apart from others. As you read on, you’ll discover more intriguing details about the Tile Horned Prionus, including their significance in nature and interesting behaviors that make them a captivating subject to study.

What is a Tile Horned Prionus

Defining the Genus Prionus

The Tile Horned Prionus, scientifically known as Prionus imbricornis, is a member of the genus Prionus. This genus falls under the long-horned beetle family, Cerambycidae. These beetles, also known as longicorns, are known for their distinctively long antennae. The Tile Horned Prionus is native to eastern parts of the United States and is among the largest insects in the region¹.

Key features of the Tile Horned Prionus:

• Robust and broad body
• Flattened blackish to reddish-brown coloration
• Antennae roughly half the length of body

Differentiating Between Prionus Species

Several Prionus species are similar in appearance, but each has unique characteristics to help distinguish them:

• Tile Horned Prionus (P. imbricornis): Notable for its antennae with comb-like projections or “tiles”
• Eastern Prionus (P. heroicus, previously P. laticollis): Known for its large size and broad flattened neck
• Brown Prionid (P. californicus): Identified by its reddish-brown color, abundant in the western United States²

Comparison Table:

By understanding the distinct characteristics of each species, you can better differentiate between the different Prionus beetles in the wild.

Physical Characteristics

Size

The Tile Horned Prionus (Prionus imbricornis) is a large beetle species. Its size can range from 1 to 3 inches in length. Generally, males are slightly smaller than females.

Color and Appearance

The color of this beetle varies from reddish-brown to black, making it easy to blend in with its surroundings. Its body is elongated and somewhat flattened. The exoskeleton is hard and shiny, with a smooth texture on its surface.

Features and Structures

• Bark: The Tile Horned Prionus is often found near decaying wood, where it feeds on the bark and underlying layers.
• Antennae: These beetles have long, impressive antennae with 12 to 20 segments. Each segment has serrated edges and overlaps the following one, resembling tiles – hence their name.
  • Male antennae are more intricate and have a higher number of antennal segments, while female antennae are relatively simple with fewer segments.
• Serrated segments: The overlapping serrated segments of their antennae give them a highly sensitive sense of touch and smell, which they use for foraging and locating mates.

In conclusion, the Tile Horned Prionus has a number of distinct physical characteristics. Keep in mind that this beetle can vary in size and color, but its defining features like the antennae and serrated segments make it easily identifiable. Remember to consider these traits when observing this fascinating species.

Biology and Behavior

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the Tile Horned Prionus starts with eggs. The female lays these tiny eggs near the base of trees or in the soil. The larvae hatch within a few weeks and begin to feed on roots. They spend about three years underground, feeding and growing. After this period, they emerge as adults to start the process all over again.

Habitual Behavior

The Tile Horned Prionus is known for its nocturnal behavior, making it more active during the night. Attracted to light, males often come to lights when they’re seeking out a mate. They’re strongly attracted to lights, so you might notice them around outdoor lamps or other illuminated areas.

Feeding Behavior

These insects are considered root borers, meaning they feed on the roots of various plants. The larvae cause the most damage, as they tunnel through roots to feed, which can create significant problems for trees and other plants.

• Larvae feed on roots
• Tunneling through roots can harm plants

Reproductive Behavior

In their reproductive phase, both male and female Tile Horned Prionus display certain behaviors. Males are drawn to light sources, likely in search of a partner. Meanwhile, females seek out ideal spots near tree bases or in soil to lay their eggs. Once a mate is found, the female lays her eggs, beginning a new life cycle for this unique insect.

In summary, the Tile Horned Prionus has a three-year life cycle, starting as eggs and ending as adults. This nocturnal insect is attracted to light, particularly males in search of a mate. They’re known as root borers, with their larvae causing most damage to plants. Their reproductive behavior revolves around light attraction and egg-laying near tree bases or in soil. Remembering these characteristics will help you better understand the biology and behavior of this fascinating creature.

Habitat and Range

United States

The Tile-horned Prionus is widely distributed across the United States, with records from states such as North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Georgia, Texas, and Iowa. This eastern species is particularly active at night, and they tend to hide during the day.

In the United States, you can commonly find these beetles around various tree species:

• Pecan
• Hickory
• Oak

Natural Habitat

Tile-horned Prionus beetles are most commonly found in forests where their preferred trees grow. Their natural habitat is characterized by soil surrounding pecan, hickory, and oak trees. The larvae feed on tree roots, taking approximately three to five years to mature and pupate.

These nocturnal beetles prefer to stay hidden during the day, which helps them avoid predators. If you happen to come across one in the forest, it’s likely they were just taking a break from their nighttime activities.

Interactions with Humans

Local Pest

Tile Horned Prionus beetles, including species such as Prionus imbricornis and Prionus laticollis, can occasionally become local pests. These insects may cause damage to the roots of trees and other plants.

In Homes and Gardens

You may encounter these beetles near light sources, such as lights or lighted windows. This is because they’re attracted to artificial light at night. Although the beetles themselves don’t cause damage to your home, they can be a nuisance.

Identifying Insects

Correctly identifying insects in your environment is essential to understanding and appreciating the diverse natural world. For example, you might see a beetle resembling a Prionus imbricornis but end up realizing it’s an American cockroach, which is a completely different insect. To get accurate identification, try looking up pictures online or contacting your local extension office.

Dealing with Infestations

In case of infestations in your garden, take steps to deal with the issue without causing unnecessary carnage. Consulting expert professional advice can help you determine the most effective and least harmful methods of dealing with unwanted insects.

Sharing Accurate Information

It’s essential to share accurate information about insects like Tile Horned Prionus beetles. Websites such as BugGuide.net offer resources for both naturalists and amateurs to identify and learn more about these fascinating creatures. By seeking out expert advice and contributing to the sharing of accurate information, everyone can benefit from understanding the role these insects play in the ecosystem.

Classification and Taxonomy

Coleoptera

The tile-horned prionus beetle belongs to the order Coleoptera within the animal kingdom. This order contains a wide variety of beetles, making it the largest order in the class Insecta. Being part of the Arthropoda phylum, these beetles have a hard exoskeleton and jointed legs.

Some characteristics of Coleoptera include:

• Two pairs of wings
• Front wings, called elytra, are hard and protect the softer hind wings
• Mouthparts adapted for chewing

Cerambycidae

The tile-horned prionus beetle also belongs to the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as longhorn beetles. This family is part of the subfamily Prioninae and includes large beetles with long antennae.

Features of Cerambycidae include:

• Elongated bodies
• Often brightly colored or with intricate patterns
• Antennae that are at least half the length of their body

While there are numerous similarities, the features distinguishing the tile-horned prionus beetle from other beetles in the Cerambycidae family include their unique antennae and their mostly nocturnal behavior. These beetles are also known to lay their eggs in the soil surrounding trees such as pecan, hickory, and oak trees, with the larvae taking around three to five years to grow to maturity and pupate. You might be interested in knowing that tile-horned prionus beetles are not typically seen during the day, as they tend to be active at night and hide during daylight hours¹.