Mottled Longhorned Beetle
Anthophylax attenuatus
This record describes Anthophylax attenuatus (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black, covered with gray-white pile. Middle line dark. Eyes black, indented (emarginate) around antenna bases. Not metallic like other Anthophylax. Antenna: Reach to about middle of elytra, male antenna shorter. Reddish. Thorax (Pronotum): Black, with some gray-white pile. Collar raised. Faint groove down center. Sides have a large, spine-like projection. Underside gray-white pile. Wings (Elytra): Reddish-brown with flecks of gray-white covering wings. Wings narrow toward tips, more so on the male. Tips bluntly rounded. |
| Legs | Reddish-brown. Thighs (femora) covered with whitish pile. |
| Abdomen | Underside gray-white pile Types: Holotype as Pachyta attenuata by Haldeman, 1847. Type Locality: Michigan. In the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lepturinae
- Tribe
- Oxymirini
- Genus
- Anthophylax
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
larvae in moist, decaying hardwood logs
Geographic Range
ne. NA : ME-MN to NC-TN Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario.
Seasonal Activity
Late May to early July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae found in dead beech, cottonwood and maple. Also reported in living branches of spruce. Adults are attracted to pine cones (male cones).
Life History
Larva use wet decaying logs and pupate in the soil.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Anthophylax attenuatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Mottled Longhorned Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov , mfdigiro , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Mottled Longhorned Beetle
What is Mottled Longhorned Beetle?
Mottled Longhorned Beetle (Anthophylax attenuatus) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Mottled Longhorned Beetle?
12-17 mm
How do you identify Mottled Longhorned Beetle?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black, covered with gray-white pile. Middle line dark. Eyes black, indented (emarginate) around antenna bases. Not metallic like other Anthophylax. Antenna: Reach to about middle of elytra, male antenna shorter. Reddish. Thorax (Pronotum): Black, with some gray-white pile. Collar raised. Faint groove down center. Sides have a large, spine-like projection. Underside gray-white pile. Wings (Elytra): Reddish-brown with flecks of gray-white covering wings. Wings narrow toward tips, more so on the male. Tips bluntly rounded. |
| Legs | Reddish-brown. Thighs (femora) covered with whitish pile. |
| Abdomen | Underside gray-white pile |
Where is Mottled Longhorned Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | larvae in moist, decaying hardwood logs |
| Range | ne. NA : ME-MN to NC-TN Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario. |
What does Mottled Longhorned Beetle eat?
The diet of the Mottled Longhorned Beetle includes Larvae found in dead beech, cottonwood and maple. Also reported in living branches of spruce. Adults are attracted to pine cones (male cones)..
When is Mottled Longhorned Beetle active?
Mottled Longhorned Beetle: seasonal activity - Late May to early July..
What is the life cycle of a Mottled Longhorned Beetle?
Larva use wet decaying logs and pupate in the soil.