Flatheaded Cedar Borer / Juniper Borer

Coniferous forests and urban landscapes containing cedar, juniper, or redwood trees.

Larvae (borers) feed on the inner bark and outer wood (cambium layer) of host trees; adults may feed on foliage or pollen.

Adults are active in late spring and summer, often seen basking in sunlight on the bark of host trees. Larvae create winding, ribbon-like galleries under the bark as they grow, eventually pupating within the wood.

They can be a significant pest for weakened or stressed ornamental conifers and timber; however, they also play a role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead wood. They pose no direct physical risk to humans.