# Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle (*Anastrangalia laetifica*) The Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle is a colorful insect that loves to munch on flowers. With its long antennae, it can be found buzzing around gardens and meadows, making them a lively place! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows ![Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anastrangalia_laetifica_-_inat_134076856.jpg&width=800) Photo: Robert Webster Depicted place: Josephine County, US-OR, US ( 42°40′53″N 123°19′50″W / 42.6812802778°N 123.3304444444°W / 42.6812802778, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anastrangalia_laetifica_-_inat_134076856.jpg) ## Appearance The Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle is slender, with antennae often longer than its body. Males typically have striking black wing covers and a bright yellow-orange chest, while females are usually reddish-brown or yellowish-brown all over, showcasing their distinct color forms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Anastrangalia ## Interesting facts - Flower longhorn babies munch inside dead trees, not flowers! - Their antennae can be longer than their body, sensing their surroundings! - Their wings beat so fast they hum as they zip between flowers! - These beetles use strong jaws to reach juicy nectar in flowers! ## Special abilities - **Color-Shift Camouflage:** Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle has two distinct color forms that help them blend into varied backgrounds or confuse predators. - **Wood-Worm Power:** Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle larvae can digest tough dead wood because of powerful enzymes, transforming fallen trees into nutrients. - **Pollen Porter:** Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle can carry pollen between flowers on their fuzzy bodies, helping plants make seeds. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 16-30 mm - **Size:** 8-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-45 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and munch pollen, while larvae feast on decaying wood from dead trees. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat decaying wood inside trees, while adults switch to nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Decaying conifer wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Yarrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yarrow) (*Achillea millefolium*) — Visits flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. - **Depends on:** Douglas-fir (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Larvae develop within the decaying wood of fallen trees. - **Eaten by:** Pacific-slope Flycatcher (*Empidonax difficilis*) — An insectivorous bird that preys on adult beetles. - **Pollinates:** Cow Parsnip (*Heracleum maximum*) — Frequently found on these large flower heads, feeding. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Be gentle and watch where you step; insects are small and can be easily hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle? 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 Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle's wingspan? 16-30 mm ### How big is Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle? 8-15 mm ### How long does Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle live? 20-45 days ### What does Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and munch pollen, while larvae feast on decaying wood from dead trees. ### Where is Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle usually found? Gardens and meadows ### How does Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dunsmuir-botanical-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [McIntyre Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcintyre-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/malakoff-diggins-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Francis Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/francis-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dimorphic-flower-longhorn-beetle) ## 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: [Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dimorphic-flower-longhorn-beetle)