# Spotted Longhorn Beetle (*Rutpela maculata*) The Spotted Longhorn Beetle is a colorful bug with long antennae and pretty spots on its body. It loves to live in forests and can often be seen resting on flowers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Spotted Longhorn Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Schmalbock-JR-T3-I299-2024-07-05.jpg&width=800) Photo: Johannes Robalotoff, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Schmalbock-JR-T3-I299-2024-07-05.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Longhorn Beetle is slender and elongated, typically yellow-brown to orange with distinct black spots arranged in rows across its wing cases. Its long, segmented antennae are usually as long as or longer than its body, making it visually distinct from other patterned beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cerambycidae - **Genus:** Rutpela ## Interesting facts - Wow! Its larvae can live inside wood for over a year before becoming an adult beetle! - Wow! Some longhorn beetles can make a squeaking sound by rubbing parts of their body! - Wow! The unique spot patterns on its back are like a special fingerprint; no two are exactly alike! - Wow! Their scientific name, 'maculata,' actually means 'spotted' in Latin! ## Special abilities - **Super Antennae:** Spotted Longhorn Beetle can detect scents and vibrations from a distance because its long, jointed antennae act like sophisticated sensory organs. - **Pollen Power:** Spotted Longhorn Beetle helps pollinate flowers by accidentally transferring pollen as it feeds on nectar and pollen from various plants. - **Wood-Boring Beginnings:** Spotted Longhorn Beetle larvae can bore tunnels through decaying wood because their strong mandibles allow them to chew through tough plant fibers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 16-28 mm - **Size:** 8-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults feast on flower pollen and nectar, while larvae munch on decaying wood. - **Age differences:** Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on decaying wood. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Decaying wood, Tree sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Robins are known to prey on insects like this beetle. - **Pollinates:** Common Hogweed (*Heracleum sphondylium*) — It visits and pollinates the flowers of hogweed. - **Depends on:** Pedunculate Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Larvae feed on decaying wood from oak trees. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [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. - [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 from a distance; don't touch bugs without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spotted 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 Spotted Longhorn Beetle's wingspan? 16-28 mm ### How big is Spotted Longhorn Beetle? 8-14 mm ### How long does Spotted Longhorn Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Spotted Longhorn Beetle fly? 8 km/h ### What does Spotted Longhorn Beetle eat? Adults feast on flower pollen and nectar, while larvae munch on decaying wood. ### Where is Spotted Longhorn Beetle usually found? Forests ### How does Spotted Longhorn Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Oak Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-ridge-historic-district) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Lebanon Green Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lebanon-green-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [St. Mary's City](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-marys-city) — US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Spotted Longhorn Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spotted-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: [Spotted Longhorn Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-longhorn-beetle)