Alder Borer
Saperda obliqua
This record describes Saperda obliqua (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
elytra brown, punctate, with darker oblique depressions and sharply pointed tips comes to lights
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamiinae
- Tribe
- Saperdini
- Genus
- Saperda
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (ME-WI to GA-OK) and adjacent Canada
Seasonal Activity
Jun-Aug
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed near the bases of living alder and birch trees
Life History
Larvae feed beneath the bark near the base, then bore into the stem and tunnel upward for several inches. Swollen areas appear at points of attack and large amounts of frass are pushed out through the openings at the egg scars. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Saperda obliqua Say, 1827
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Saperda obliqua. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alder Borer
What is Alder Borer?
Alder Borer (Saperda obliqua) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Alder Borer?
14-19 mm
How do you identify Alder Borer?
elytra brown, punctate, with darker oblique depressions and sharply pointed tips
Where is Alder Borer found?
Range: e. US (ME-WI to GA-OK) and adjacent Canada
What does Alder Borer eat?
The diet of the Alder Borer includes Larvae feed near the bases of living alder and birch trees.
When is Alder Borer active?
Alder Borer: seasonal activity - Jun-Aug.
What is the life cycle of a Alder Borer?
Larvae feed beneath the bark near the base, then bore into the stem and tunnel upward for several inches. Swollen areas appear at points of attack and large amounts of frass are pushed out through the openings at the egg scars. ( 3 )