# small black longhorn beetle (*Stenurella nigra*) The small black longhorn beetle is a tiny bug with long antennae that look like little feelers. They are often found on flowers and plants, where they help with pollination. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![small black longhorn beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Stenurella_nigra_286070935.jpg&width=800) Photo: Petr Kouba, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stenurella_nigra_286070935.jpg) ## Appearance The small black longhorn beetle is entirely matte black, giving it a sleek appearance. It has a slender body and very long, thread-like antennae that can be longer than its body, making it distinct from many other small black beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Stenurella ## Interesting facts - Some longhorn beetles can make a high-pitched squeak to scare off predators! - The antennae of these beetles can bend and twist in many directions to explore. - Their larvae spend years hidden deep inside wood before transforming into adults! - These beetles can sense even tiny vibrations through their legs to detect movement. ## Special abilities - **Super Sensor Antennae:** Small black longhorn beetle has ultra-long antennae that help them smell food, find mates, and detect dangers in their environment. - **Nectar Sipper:** Small black longhorn beetle can visit flowers to drink nectar, providing them with energy and helping to pollinate plants. - **Quick Escape Wings:** Small black longhorn beetle can use its transparent hind wings for rapid flight, allowing it to escape predators and find new habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-20 mm - **Size:** 6-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae munch on dead wood. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat dead wood, while adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, pollen, dead wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Visits flowers for nectar, aiding plant reproduction. - **Pollinates:** [Yarrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yarrow) (*Achillea millefolium*) — Feeds on pollen and nectar from its flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Provides a food source for insectivorous birds. ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [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 it's best to look without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify small black 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 small black longhorn beetle's wingspan? 12-20 mm ### How big is small black longhorn beetle? 6-10 mm ### How long does small black longhorn beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can small black longhorn beetle fly? 8 km/h ### What does small black longhorn beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their larvae munch on dead wood. ### Where is small black longhorn beetle usually found? Forests ### How does small black 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: [Small Black Longhorn Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-black-longhorn-beetle)