Palo Verde Root Borer
Scientific Name: Derobrachus hovorei
Order & Family: Coleoptera; Cerambycidae
Size: 3 to 3.5 inches (76 to 89 mm) in length.
Natural Habitat
Semiarid deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico, often found near Palo Verde or Mesquite trees.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on the roots of trees (especially Palo Verde); adults rarely eat, living off stored fat to find a mate.
Behavior Patterns
Active primarily during summer monsoons; adults are nocturnal and often attracted to lights. They have a multi-year larval stage underground.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans but can deliver a painful pinch with large mandibles if handled; can weaken or kill host trees in high numbers.
Identified on: 6/20/2026