Flatheaded borer (Buprestid larva)
Scientific Name: Family Buprestidae (genus/species varies)
Order & Family: Order Coleoptera, Family Buprestidae
Size: 5 mm to 50 mm depending on species and developmental stage.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found beneath tree bark or within xylem and phloem of woody plants and logs.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae are xylem-feeders or phloem-feeders, consuming the inner bark and wood of trees and shrubs.
Behavior Patterns
They tunnel through wood in distinctive winding patterns (galleries). The larvae have a characteristic flattened thorax that gives them their name.
Risks & Benefits
Many species are major forestry and agricultural pests that can weaken or kill trees; however, they benefit the ecosystem by breaking down dead wood.
Identified on: 5/24/2026