Neotropical Tiger Longhorn vs Cottonwood Borer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Tiger Longhorn Cottonwood Borer
Scientific Name Megacyllene acuta Plectrodera scalator
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Cerambycidae
Size 12-22 mm 25-40 mm
Habitat Grasslands Rivers & Streams
Diet Wood Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia Central and eastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Neotropical Tiger Longhorn

A wasp-mimicking cerambycid from South America with bold yellow chevron markings on a black body. It breeds in dead branches of leguminous trees. Adults are diurnal flower visitors with quick, jerky movements.

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Did You Know?

The yellow-and-black banding closely mimics aggressive neotropical wasps, providing effective protection from predators.

Cottonwood Borer

A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into the roots and lower trunks of cottonwood and willow trees.

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Did You Know?

When handled, it produces a loud squeaking sound by rubbing parts of its thorax together.