Bug Identifier
Flathead Cherry Borer / Longhorned Beetle
Community identification

Flathead Cherry Borer / Longhorned Beetle

Ptosima gibbicollis

Order & Family
Coleoptera, Buprestidae (Metallic wood-boring beetles)
Size
10 - 15 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.