Ribbed Pine Borer
Rhagium inquisitor
This record describes Rhagium inquisitor (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Det. J. Ott, 2010
Wikipedia reference for Rhagium inquisitor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhagium_inquisitor.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lepturinae
- Tribe
- Rhagiini
- Genus
- Rhagium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holarctic; boreal transcontinental in NA / Mex. - Map , largely abscent from Great Plains states
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: many Pinaceae, birch, beech, oak
Life History
Overwinter as adults; eggs laid in early spring in bark crevices of tree that recently died or cut (larvae require a lot of moisture and feed beneath the bark only, making irregular galleries packed with frass); pupate in oval cells ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rhagium inquisitor (Linnaeus 1758)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Rhagium inquisitor. 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 Ribbed Pine Borer (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Aaron Schusteff , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Ribbed Pine Borer
How big is Ribbed Pine Borer?
10‒21 mm
How do you identify Ribbed Pine Borer?
Det. J. Ott, 2010
Where is Ribbed Pine Borer found?
Range: Holarctic; boreal transcontinental in NA / Mex. - Map , largely abscent from Great Plains states
What does Ribbed Pine Borer eat?
The diet of the Ribbed Pine Borer includes hosts: many Pinaceae, birch, beech, oak.
What is the life cycle of a Ribbed Pine Borer?
Overwinter as adults; eggs laid in early spring in bark crevices of tree that recently died or cut (larvae require a lot of moisture and feed beneath the bark only, making irregular galleries packed with frass); pupate in oval cells ( 4 )