Broad-necked Root Borer

Natural Habitat

Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, and gardens throughout eastern North America.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed Underground on the roots of various trees and shrubs including oak, chestnut, apple, and birch. Adults typically do not feed or may consume small amounts of foliage and fruit.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are primarily nocturnal and are often attracted to artificial lights during the summer months. Females lay eggs in the soil near host trees so that larvae can burrow and feed on roots.

Risks & Benefits

The larvae can cause damage or death to host trees by feeding on and tunneling through the roots. They are considered minor pests in apple orchards and for ornamental trees, but serve an ecological role in decomposing dead or weakened tree root systems.

Identified on: 6/28/2026