Cottonwood borer beetle of the longhorn beetle family is indigenous to certain parts of the United States. It has a length and width of 40 mm and 12 mm, emerging as one of North America’s largest insects. They mostly feed on cottonwood trees, which, therefore, accounts for their name.
Size: Length -40 mm (1.6 inches);Width – 12 mm (0.47 inches)
Color: They have a yellow or creamy white body covered with black rectangular patterns neatly arranged in two rows. The white or yellowish coloration on their body is mostly a result of the small white hairs present. These beetles even have a black antenna alongcol3 a white face.
Other Characteristic Features: These beetles appear large and robust, with concol3rably long antennae that may extend their body’s length.
The cylindrically-shaped larvae have a creamy-white body and brown or black head. They are devoid of legs and mostly grow to a length of about 38 mm (1.5 inches). The larvae take about two years for maturation and cause immense damage to young trees by chewing the wood.
The pupation phase lasts for three weeks on average and takes place in the roots underground.
The elliptical-shaped eggs are yellowish-white, mostly laid incol3 certain portions of shredded barks.
| Adult lifespan | Approximately one month |
| Duration of larval stage | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Distribution | Throughout North America, particularly in the eastern parts of the Rocky Mountains |
| Habitat | Near streams, rivers, lowland areas, and everywhere else where there host plants grow |
| Predators | Birds |
| Seasons active from | Mid-May – early-July |
| Host plants | Mainly on cottonwood but may even feed on poplar and willow |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Mostly roots Adults: Leaf stems, bark of young shoots |
The larvae cause significant damage to the trees, particularly the young ones, since they dig deep into the trees’ phloem, resulting in girdling. They initially begin feeding around the root collar region and then get deep into the roots with maturation.
The adults also are responsible for destruction since they chew the stems and barks of young shoots, lessening their strength causing them to wilt and prematurely die.
Both the larvae and adults result in the tree’s weakening, making them susceptible to fall when blown by a strong wind.
Selecting a good site for growing a tree, implementing effective irrigation measures, and adequate fertilization are steps that one can take to get rid of them.
Image Source: bugguide.net, 1.bp.blogspot.com, bugwoodcloud.org, blogs.illinois.edu
Cottonwood borer beetle of the longhorn beetle family is indigenous to certain parts of the United States. It has a length and width of 40 mm and 12 mm, emerging as one of North America’s largest insects. They mostly feed on cottonwood trees, which, therefore, accounts for their name.
Size: Length -40 mm (1.6 inches);Width – 12 mm (0.47 inches)
Color: They have a yellow or creamy white body covered with black rectangular patterns neatly arranged in two rows. The white or yellowish coloration on their body is mostly a result of the small white hairs present. These beetles even have a black antenna alongcol3 a white face.
Other Characteristic Features: These beetles appear large and robust, with concol3rably long antennae that may extend their body’s length.
The cylindrically-shaped larvae have a creamy-white body and brown or black head. They are devoid of legs and mostly grow to a length of about 38 mm (1.5 inches). The larvae take about two years for maturation and cause immense damage to young trees by chewing the wood.
The pupation phase lasts for three weeks on average and takes place in the roots underground.
The elliptical-shaped eggs are yellowish-white, mostly laid incol3 certain portions of shredded barks.
| Adult lifespan | Approximately one month |
| Duration of larval stage | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Distribution | Throughout North America, particularly in the eastern parts of the Rocky Mountains |
| Habitat | Near streams, rivers, lowland areas, and everywhere else where there host plants grow |
| Predators | Birds |
| Seasons active from | Mid-May – early-July |
| Host plants | Mainly on cottonwood but may even feed on poplar and willow |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Mostly roots Adults: Leaf stems, bark of young shoots |
The larvae cause significant damage to the trees, particularly the young ones, since they dig deep into the trees’ phloem, resulting in girdling. They initially begin feeding around the root collar region and then get deep into the roots with maturation.
The adults also are responsible for destruction since they chew the stems and barks of young shoots, lessening their strength causing them to wilt and prematurely die.
Both the larvae and adults result in the tree’s weakening, making them susceptible to fall when blown by a strong wind.
Selecting a good site for growing a tree, implementing effective irrigation measures, and adequate fertilization are steps that one can take to get rid of them.
Image Source: bugguide.net, 1.bp.blogspot.com, bugwoodcloud.org, blogs.illinois.edu
