Identifying insect - Ask Extension
I have found a few of these this year. Dont recognize it. Can you identify?
Knowledgebase
Identifying insect #832622
Asked May 29, 2023, 10:49 PM EDT
I have found a few of these this year. Dont recognize it. Can you identify?
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi,
Cool looking insect, eh?
That is a type of longhorned beetle (Family: Cerambycidae). I can't be certain of the species without taking a close look at the specimen in person, but it looks a lot like a species called Phymatodes grandis. Here is a photo of a specimen of that species for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2132703
Longhorned beetles have larvae that burrow into and feed on the wood of trees and shrubs. Most species preferentially burrow into the wood of trees that are recently dead or are damaged/dying. Since they don't affect healthy, living trees, these species are not considered pests. The larvae of Phymatodes grandis burrow into the wood of recently dead or dying oaks, so the adult beetles may be coming out of cut oak wood if you have any of that laying about on your property.
Enjoy!
Yours,
Cool looking insect, eh?
That is a type of longhorned beetle (Family: Cerambycidae). I can't be certain of the species without taking a close look at the specimen in person, but it looks a lot like a species called Phymatodes grandis. Here is a photo of a specimen of that species for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2132703
Longhorned beetles have larvae that burrow into and feed on the wood of trees and shrubs. Most species preferentially burrow into the wood of trees that are recently dead or are damaged/dying. Since they don't affect healthy, living trees, these species are not considered pests. The larvae of Phymatodes grandis burrow into the wood of recently dead or dying oaks, so the adult beetles may be coming out of cut oak wood if you have any of that laying about on your property.
Enjoy!
Yours,
Thank you!!! Yes, we have a newly downed oak tree.
Awesome! I love it when things make sense like that.
:)
:)
Should i be worried if i find them in the house?
No, no need to worry. They won't do any damage indoors and they don't bite or sting. You could just catch them and release them outdoors or eliminate them as you see fit.
Yours,
Yours,
Thank you for the clarification! Will release back into the wild.