California Root Borer Beetle

This hefty, dark beetle is a western species of a beetle genus with large jaws and long antennae.

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Image Credit: Samuel C.

Full-sized image #1 of the California Root Borer Beetle

Thumbnail image #1 of the California Root Borer Beetle

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Image Credit: Matthew P. from California.

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Image Credit: Ilona P. from Stayton, Oregon.

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Image Credit: James O. from Utah.

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Image Credit: Ron R., Spearfish, South Dakota.

Full-sized image #5 of the California Root Borer Beetle

Thumbnail image #5 of the California Root Borer Beetle

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Cerambycidae

Genus: Prionus

Species: californicus

The California Root Borer Beetle is also known by the name(s) of: Giant Root Borer Beetle. The California Root Borer Beetle is typically 0.9 inches to 2.2 inches (24mm to 57mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: brown, red, black, reddish brown, large, heavy, flying, three spikes, spines, long antennae.

It has a typical diet of the following: tree roots.

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Brown

Red

Black

Beetle Anatomy

Sighting Guide (Jan-Dec)

The general likelihood of encountering this beetle based on a given month of the year in the United States.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the California Root Borer Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species 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.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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