Cedar Tree Borer
Semanotus ligneus
This record describes Semanotus ligneus (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Semanotus ligneus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae.
Identification notes
Some specimens are largely dark
Wikipedia reference for Semanotus ligneus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semanotus ligneus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cerambycinae
- Tribe
- Callidiini
- Genus
- Semanotus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (to Calif.?) (NS-MB to TX) - Map
Seasonal Activity
Mar-Aug ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Thuja, Cupressus, Juniperus
Life History
Eggs are deposited under the bark in the spring. Larvae feed beneath the bark, scarring the wood deeply. Then they bore into the sapwood and sometimes the heartwood. ( 6 ) There is one generation per year. ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Semanotus ligneus ( Fabricius 1787)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Semanotus ligneus. 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 Cedar Tree Borer (7)
Photo credits: (c) Pierrick Bloin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Pierrick Bloin | (c) Kyle Rossner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kyle Rossner | no rights reserved, uploaded by kcthetc1 | (c) Eric Knopf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric Knopf | (c) bdholt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Tree Borer
What is Cedar Tree Borer?
Cedar Tree Borer (Semanotus ligneus) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cedar Tree Borer?
8-12 mm
How do you identify Cedar Tree Borer?
Some specimens are largely dark
Where is Cedar Tree Borer found?
Range: e. NA (to Calif.?) (NS-MB to TX) - Map
What does Cedar Tree Borer eat?
The diet of the Cedar Tree Borer includes hosts: Thuja, Cupressus, Juniperus.
When is Cedar Tree Borer active?
Cedar Tree Borer: seasonal activity - Mar-Aug ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Cedar Tree Borer?
Eggs are deposited under the bark in the spring. Larvae feed beneath the bark, scarring the wood deeply. Then they bore into the sapwood and sometimes the heartwood. ( 6 ) There is one generation per year. ( 6 )