×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Banded Alder Borer Beetle (Rosalia funebris)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Banded Alder Borer Beetle


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/4
Image Credit: Debi K. from OR
Full-sized image of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle Thumbnail image of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle
2/4
Image Credit: Brian R. from Vancouver, BC
Full-sized image #2 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle Thumbnail image #2 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle
3/4
Image Credit: Debi K. from OR
Full-sized image #3 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle Thumbnail image #3 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle
4/4
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #4 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle Thumbnail image #4 of the Banded-Alder-Borer-Beetle

The larvae of the black-and-white Banded Alder Borer Beetles enjoys digging into the heartwood of more than just alder trees.



Updated: 01/02/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
The Banded Alder Borer Beetle is a member of the Longhorn Beetle family Cerambycidae. Their antennae are quite long, sometimes three times longer than the body of the beetle. These data-detecting body parts make large sweeps back and forth, both behind and in front of the insect, collecting environmental information. There are over 1,200 species of Longhorn Beetle on the continent.

The head of the Banded Alder Borer is black, but its prothorax ('shoulder' area) is white with a black spot in the center of it. The elytra (wing covering) have thick, alternating bands of black and white along the rest of the body. The antennae of this species are also banded in black and white.

Though they are visually easy to recognize, more research can be done to learn about the life cycle of this beetle. Oddly, adult beetles are attracted to the smell of drying paint. It is believed that the odor the paint emits might be similar to pheromones that the beetles make themselves, and they are drawn to the paint unintentionally. Another suggestion is that the paint mimics the smell of dying trees, which this beetle species finds attractive.

Adults are active in the day and can be found in large numbers on the trunks and branches of trees. Different populations seem to prefer a particular type of tree based on their geographical position. In the Southwest, they cluster on alder trees, their namesake, but in the Rocky Mountains, they are seen on willows and in the Pacific Northwest, they are common on ash trees. Whichever area they are in, adults all seem to deposit their eggs on the outside of the bark of a distressed or fallen tree. The tiny larvae hatch and then bore into dead tree trunk. This beetle may be a bit of a nuisance to the logging industry. Freshly chopped-down trees are potential landing sites for eggs deposits, and once the larvae bore into the inner trunk, the tunneled wood may become less attractive and useful. ©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Insect antennae icon
Flying insect icon
Patterned insect icon
Pest insect icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Coleoptera
        Family: Cerambycidae
View More
          Genus: Rosalia
View More
            Species: funebris

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Rosalia funebris
Other Name(s): California Laurel Borer
Category: Beetle
Size (Adult; Length): 23mm to 40mm (0.90" to 1.57")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; white; gray
Descriptors: banded; antennae; spot; flying; tree pest


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 23mm (0.9in) and 40mm (1.6in)
Lo: 23mm
Md: 31.5mm
Hi: 40mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Banded Alder Borer Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Banded Alder Borer Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)