# Broad-necked Root Borer (*Prionus laticollis*) The Broad-necked Root Borer is a large, cool beetle with a wide neck! It spends most of its life underground munching on roots before it comes out to play in the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Broad-necked Root Borer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Prionuslaticollis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Murtho, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prionuslaticollis.jpg) ## Appearance The Broad-necked Root Borer is a large, sturdy beetle, typically reddish-brown to dark brown. It has a distinctly broad prothorax, giving it a 'broad-necked' appearance, and long, serrated antennae. Its flattened body is covered by hard wing cases. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Prionus ## Interesting facts - Adult beetles can grow over 60mm long, making them giants among forest insects! - Its antennae look like tiny saws, helping it feel its way and find mates at night! - Its larva can live underground for up to five years, munching on tree roots! - This big beetle can make a squeaking sound if you disturb it, surprising predators! ## Special abilities - **Root Ripper Mandibles:** Broad-necked Root Borer can chew through incredibly tough tree roots because of its powerful mandibles. - **Underground Explorer:** Broad-necked Root Borer larvae can tunnel deep underground for years, finding roots to eat. - **Hardy Exoskeleton:** Broad-necked Root Borer has a very tough, dark exoskeleton that protects it from danger. - **Night Navigator:** Broad-necked Root Borer uses its long, sensitive antennae to detect signals and navigate in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-100 mm - **Size:** 30-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 1095-1850 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae munch on tree roots underground, while adult beetles usually don't eat anything! - **Age differences:** Larvae consume roots for years, but adults do not feed at all and primarily focus on reproduction. - **Primary Foods:** Oak roots, Maple roots, Apple tree roots, Pine roots, Cherry tree roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Larvae feed on its roots. - **Eats:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Roots provide food for larvae. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums dig up and eat larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons also prey on larvae. ## 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. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [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. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These beetles are not harmful, but it's best to look and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Broad-necked Root 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 Broad-necked Root Borer's wingspan? 50-100 mm ### How big is Broad-necked Root Borer? 30-60 mm ### How long does Broad-necked Root Borer live? 1095-1850 days ### How fast can Broad-necked Root Borer fly? 12 km/h ### What does Broad-necked Root Borer eat? Larvae munch on tree roots underground, while adult beetles usually don't eat anything! ### Where is Broad-necked Root Borer usually found? Forests ### How does Broad-necked Root Borer hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Stafford Hollow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stafford-hollow) — Connecticut, US · Neighborhood ## 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: [Broad-necked Root Borer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-necked-root-borer)