# Banded Alder Borer (*rosalia funebris*) The Banded Alder Borer is a fascinating beetle that loves to munch on alder trees! Its striking blue and black stripes make it look like nature's own little superhero. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** They live in forests, especially near water sources with plenty of alder trees. - **Also known as:** Alder Wood Borer, Blue Alder Borer, Striped Alder Beetle ![Banded Alder Borer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rosalia_funebris.JPG&width=800) Photo: Gerent, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosalia_funebris.JPG) ## Appearance The Banded Alder Borer has a striking appearance with its black body adorned by bold, irregular white or cream-colored bands. It features very long, segmented antennae that can be longer than its body, and a somewhat flattened, elongated shape. Its coloration helps it blend with lichen-covered bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Rosalia ## Interesting facts - Banded Alder Borers are vital "recyclers," breaking down dead trees to enrich the forest soil. - The bold black and white bands are thought to mimic warning colors of stinging insects to scare predators. - Their larvae can live inside dead wood for several years before transforming into adult beetles! - These beetles are also known as "longhorn beetles" because of their incredibly long antennae. ## Special abilities - **Bark Camouflage:** Banded Alder Borer has a black and white banded pattern that helps them blend perfectly with lichen and fungi on alder tree bark. - **Wood Burrower:** Banded Alder Borer larvae can bore deep tunnels into dead wood because of their strong mandibles that help them eat and shelter. - **Super Antennae:** Banded Alder Borer has extremely long antennae that help them feel and smell their surroundings to find mates and suitable trees. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-70 mm - **Size:** 12-38 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beetles munch on dead or dying wood, especially alder, helping decompose it. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed exclusively on wood; adults may sip sap or nectar but primarily focus on reproduction. - **Primary Foods:** Alder wood, Willow wood, Poplar wood, Maple wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Red Alder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-alder) (*Alnus rubra*) — Provides food and shelter for larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Hairy Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hairy-woodpecker) (*Picoides villosus*) — Woodpeckers prey on larvae inside trees. - **Eaten by:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — A large woodpecker that extracts larvae from wood. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Banded Alder Borer? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Banded Alder Borer's wingspan? 25-70 mm ### How big is Banded Alder Borer? 12-38 mm ### How long does Banded Alder Borer live? 20-60 days ### What does Banded Alder Borer eat? These beetles munch on dead or dying wood, especially alder, helping decompose it. ### Where is Banded Alder Borer usually found? They live in forests, especially near water sources with plenty of alder trees. ### How does Banded Alder Borer hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Banded Alder Borer have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Desert Garden Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-garden-conservatory) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-bonnie-brae-tract-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Arcata Community Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arcata-community-forest) — California, US · Forest - [Centennial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Reed College Parkway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/reed-college-parkway) — Oregon, US · Park [View all places to see Banded Alder Borer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/banded-alder-borer) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Banded Alder Borer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/banded-alder-borer)