Longhorn Beetle or Sawyer Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found in forested areas, woodlands, and urban environments where host trees are present. They are often associated with coniferous and deciduous trees, stumps, and fallen logs.

Diet & Feeding

Adults often feed on pollen, nectar, leaves, or bark, but some species do not feed as adults. Larvae (grubs) are xylophagous, meaning they bore into and feed on wood, typically from dead, dying, or stressed trees, but some species attack healthy trees.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are typically crepuscular or nocturnal, attracted to lights. Larvae burrow into wood, feeding on the inner bark and sapwood, creating tunnels (galleries) that can weaken the host tree. The life cycle can take one to several years depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Some species are significant pests of forestry and agriculture, causing damage to trees by larval tunneling, which can girdle young trees, weaken older trees making them susceptible to wind damage, or degrade timber quality. Introduction of invasive species like the Asian Longhorned Beetle can cause widespread devastation to native tree populations. Benefits: As decomposers, their larvae help break down dead wood, contributing to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. They also serve as a food source for other animals.

Identified on: 9/3/2025