Longhorn beetle
Longhorn beetles, also known as longicorns or long-horned beetles, are notable for their long, segmented antennae, which can exceed the length of their bodies. These beetles belong to the family Cerambycidae and are typically found in wooded areas, with many species thriving in warm, tropical regions as well as various parts of North America. Ranging in size from 1/8 to 6 inches (2 to 15 centimeters), they are among the larger beetles in the Coleoptera order. Their bodies are divided into three main parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen, with wings covered by smooth, shiny elytra that protect their delicate rear wings.
Longhorn beetles are solitary insects that feed on tree sap, leaves, and flowers, utilizing their strong mandibles to chew through plants and even solid wood. Mating involves males locating females through scent, leading to a prolonged mating process. After mating, females lay their eggs in wood, and the larvae can develop for up to three years before pupating into adult beetles. While over 90 percent of longhorn beetle species belong to the Cerambycinae and Lamiinae subfamilies, some species can have life spans exceeding 30 years, primarily spent in their larval stage.
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Longhorn beetle
Longhorn beetles are named for their long-divided antennae. Each longhorn beetle has a pair of antennae divided into many segments. These antennae are often longer than the beetle's body. Longhorn beetles use their long antennae to sense smells in their environments. They are also called longicorns or long-horned.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cerambycidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
Longhorn beetles are typically found in wooded areas. Most species are found in warm, tropical regions, but many live throughout North America. Growing to lengths of 1/8 to 6 inches (2 to 15 centimeters), longhorn beetles are some of the larger members of the order of beetles. Like other insects, longhorn beetles are divided into three main body parts—a head, thorax, or middle section, and abdomen, or lower-body section. The first pair of legs of a longhorn beetle extend from its thorax and the remaining pairs extend from its abdomen.
Longhorn beetles are named for the long antennae which extend from their heads. Each longhorn beetle has a pair of segmented antennae which may be longer than the insect's body. Longhorn beetles use their antennae to help them detect scents in their environments.
Across the back of the longhorn beetle rests its elytra. Elytra are the hard wing coverings that protect the delicate rear wings of the longhorn beetles. These coverings are formed by the two front wings of each beetle. When the elytra rest on the insect's back, they form a hard, solid covering. This piece looks much like a piece of exoskeleton, or external skeleton. When a longhorn beetle flies, the elytra lift and the rear wings flutter and flap as they carry the longhorn beetle into the air. The elytra of longhorn beetles are very smooth, shiny, and thick. They also contribute to the longhorn beetle's overall appearance. Longhorn beetles and their elytra vary from browns to greens to spotted mixtures of green and yellow or black and orange.
These solitary beetles move through the woods, flying from plant to plant and feeding on tree sap, plant leaves, and flowers. In temperate areas, longhorn beetles feed mostly on parsley, dog rose, blackberry, and members of the daisy family. Longhorn beetles chew plants with their strong, biting mouthparts. The powerful mandibles, or jaws, of longhorn beetles can easily bite through solid wood.
A male longhorn beetle finds his mate by responding to certain scents. After locating the female, mating may take place for several hours. Soon after mating, the female lays her fertilized eggs in wood. The young longhorn beetle grows in the egg until it is time for hatching. It emerges as a longhorn beetle larva. A longhorn beetle may stay in its larval stage for up to three years. After that, the larval longhorn beetle pupates, or transforms into its final developmental stage. After pupating, it emerges as a fully-formed adult longhorn beetle.
Over 90 percent of longhorn beetle species belong to the Cerambycinae and Lamiinae subfamilies. The cerambycids have nearly vertical faces and a round throat. Species include the locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae) and the ribbed pine borer (Rhagium inquisitor). Beetles in the Lamiinae subfamily are called flat-faced longhorns and include the roundheaded apple tree borer (Saperda candida) and the Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis).
Some species of longhorn beetles have life spans of over 30 years. The majority of this time is spent as larval longhorn beetles. Most longhorn beetles live one to three years.
Bibliography
"Longhorned Beetles (Borers; Sawyer Beetles)." Missouri Department of Conservation, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/longhorned-beetles-borers-sawyer-beetles. Accessed 15 May 2024.
"Longhorn Beetle Guide." Bug Life, Scottish Natural Heritage, cdn.buglife.org.uk/downloads/Longhorn-Beetle-Guide.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024.
Westwood, Brett. Discover Wildlife, 12 May 2020, www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/identify-wildlife/how-to-identify-longhorn-beetles. Accessed 15 May 2024.