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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,
Bill Gerth Replied May 30, 2023, 3:08 PM EDT
Thank you!!! Yes, we have a newly downed oak tree.

On Tue, May 30, 2023, 12:08 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2023, 9:24 PM EDT
Awesome! I love it when things make sense like that.
:)
Bill Gerth Replied May 31, 2023, 11:13 PM EDT
Should i be worried if i find them in the house?

On Wed, May 31, 2023, 8:13 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 05, 2023, 9:21 PM EDT
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,
Bill Gerth Replied June 07, 2023, 2:29 AM EDT
Thank you for the clarification!  Will release back into the wild. 

On Tue, Jun 6, 2023, 11:29 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 07, 2023, 7:12 AM EDT

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