# Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle (*Pseudovadonia livida*) The Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle is a small, shiny beetle that loves to hide in grassy areas. It has long antennae that look like tiny horns, making it special and fun to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pseudovadonia_livida_Fabricius%252C_1776_%283806963957%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Udo Schmidt from Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudovadonia_livida_Fabricius%252C_1776_%283806963957%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle is a slender, yellowish to reddish-brown insect with prominent, very long antennae that are often darker or subtly banded. Its body is covered in fine, pale hairs, and it has a noticeable constriction behind its head, making it distinct from many other beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Pseudovadonia ## Interesting facts - As adults, they act like tiny gardeners, helping to pollinate wild flowers by visiting them for nectar. - Its scientific name, Pseudovadonia, means "false Vadonia," referencing a similar beetle group! - These beetles got their common name because their larvae live inside mushrooms found in "fairy rings." - Unlike many beetles, the larvae of this species prefer to munch on underground fungi, not wood! ## Special abilities - **Fungus Feaster:** Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle larvae can digest decaying underground fungi because of specialized enzymes that help them thrive in the soil. - **Flight Escape:** Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle can quickly fly away from danger because of strong wings that allow rapid escape from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-20 mm - **Size:** 6-9 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae are underground fungus-eaters! - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on underground fungi and decaying wood, while adults consume pollen and nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Pollen, Nectar, Mushrooms, Underground Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Predatory birds hunt adult beetles in flight. - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Adult beetles visit flowers like wild carrot for nectar. - **Eats:** [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus campestris*) — Larvae develop by consuming this fungi in the soil. - **Depends on:** Sickener (*Russula emetica*) — Larvae develop inside various types of fungi including Russula. ## 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. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 safe to observe, but be gentle and don’t touch them too much. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fairy-ring 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 Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle's wingspan? 15-20 mm ### How big is Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle? 6-9 mm ### How long does Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle fly? 5-8 km/h ### What does Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae are underground fungus-eaters! ### Where is Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fairy-ring-longhorn-beetle)