Velvet Longhorn vs Ox Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Velvet Longhorn Ox Beetle
Scientific Name Trichoferus campestris Strategus aloeus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Scarabaeidae
Size 10-20 mm 30-60mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Central Asia; invasive in Europe, North America, Middle East North America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Velvet Longhorn

A brownish-grey cerambycid covered in fine velvety pubescence, native to Central Asia but now spreading globally through timber trade. It attacks a wide range of deciduous and coniferous trees. Adults are nocturnal fliers.

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Did You Know?

This beetle has been intercepted in wood packaging materials on every continent except Antarctica.

Ox Beetle

A large robust dark brown beetle with three forward-pointing horns on the males pronotum. It is attracted to lights in tropical areas.

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Did You Know?

Males use their three horns like a trident to pry rivals from burrows during fights over females.