Flathead Cherry Borer / Longhorned Beetle
Scientific Name: Ptosima gibbicollis
Order & Family: Coleoptera, Buprestidae (Metallic wood-boring beetles)
Size: 10 - 15 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found in deciduous forests and orchards, often associated with cherry, plum, and other Prunus species trees.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae bore into and feed on the wood of deciduous trees; adults may feed on leaves or pollen.
Behavior Patterns
They are typically active during the day in early summer. Larvae create winding galleries beneath the bark of host trees as they develop.
Risks & Benefits
Primarily considered a minor pest to fruit and ornamental trees as larval tunneling can weaken branches; however, they play a role in the natural decomposition of dead wood.
Identified on: 5/16/2026