Ponderous Borer vs Burrowing Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ponderous Borer | Burrowing Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichocnemis spiculatus | Hexagenia limbata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Ephemeridae |
| Size | 40-60 mm | 18-32 mm body |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western United States, British Columbia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Larval development can take up to six years in dry dead wood, one of the longest development times for any beetle.
Burrowing Mayfly
Creates massive synchronized emergences so dense they appear on weather radar. Billions emerge simultaneously from lake bottoms where nymphs burrowed for up to two years.
Did You Know?
Mayfly emergences along the Mississippi River are so massive they show up on Doppler weather radar — billions of insects rising simultaneously look like approaching thunderstorms.