Elongate Paederine vs Ponderous Borer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elongate Paederine Ponderous Borer
Scientific Name Lathrobium elongatum Trichocnemis spiculatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Cerambycidae
Size 7-9 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Root Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Western United States, British Columbia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Elongate Paederine

A very slender, reddish-brown paederine rove beetle that lives deep within waterlogged soils near streams. Its extremely narrow body is adapted for burrowing through saturated soil.

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Did You Know?

This beetle can survive prolonged submersion in water, breathing through a plastron of air trapped by microscopic hairs on its body surface.

Ponderous Borer

One of the largest cerambycids in North America, this prionine breeds in the roots and lower trunks of dead ponderosa pines. Adults are dark brown with a somewhat rough body surface. They are nocturnal and attracted to lights.

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Did You Know?

Larval development can take up to six years in dry dead wood, one of the longest development times for any beetle.