Giant Jawed Longhorn vs Flat Oak Borer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Jawed Longhorn Flat Oak Borer
Scientific Name Macrodontia dejeanii Smodicum cucujiforme
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Cerambycidae
Size 50-85 mm 7-12 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Jawed Longhorn

A large prionine with impressive curved mandibles from the tropical forests of South America. While smaller than the famous M. cervicornis, it is still a formidable insect. Males use their enlarged mandibles in combat over females.

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Did You Know?

The mandibles of males can account for nearly a third of total body length and are used like antlers in combat.

Flat Oak Borer

An unusually flat, reddish-brown cerambycid that breeds under the bark of dead oaks in North America. Its flattened body allows it to navigate the tight spaces between bark and sapwood. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so flat that it was originally described as a member of Cucujidae, the flat bark beetle family.