Brown Prionid Beetle

Forests and wooded areas, often found near decaying wood, logs, or stumps. Adults are frequently attracted to porch lights at night.

Larvae bore into and feed on decaying wood of various broadleaf and coniferous trees. Adults generally do not feed or may occasionally sip plant sap or nectar.

Nocturnal insects that spend the daylight hours hidden under bark, in rotten wood, or in leaf litter. They are strong fliers and are readily drawn to artificial lights during summer evenings.

They do not bite or sting humans, though handling them carelessly can result in a pinch from their powerful mandibles. Larvae play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by decomposing dead wood and recycling nutrients back into the soil.