Longhorn beetle, pest or beneficial insect?

Mondo Science Updated on 2024-01-31

The longhorn beetle is a collective name for the insects of the coleoptera longhorn family, and there are about 26,000 species in the world. The larvae of the longhorn beetle live in wood and can cause damage to trees, wooden buildings, etc., so the longhorn beetle is often considered a pest. However, there are also some species of adult beetles that are beneficial insects, which can help spread pollen, eliminate pests, etc.

Is the longhorn beetle a pest?

The larvae of the longhorn beetle live in wood and feed mainly on the xylem. They can eat tunnels in the wood, and in severe cases, they can cause trees to die. The larvae can also damage wooden buildings, furniture, etc., causing economic losses. As a result, longhorn beetles are often considered pests.

Is the longhorn beetle a beneficial insect?

There are also some species of adult beetles that are beneficial insects. For example, the adult bare-shouldered star beetle can help spread pollen and promote plant pollination. There are also adult beetles that can prey on pests, for example, the swollen-legged bee of the family Swollen-legged beetle can parasitize the larvae of the longhorn beetle and play a role in biological control.

Whether the longhorn beetle is a pest or not depends on its species and lifestyle. The larvae of longhorn beetles are usually pests and can cause damage to trees, wooden buildings, etc. However, there are also some species of adult beetles that are beneficial insects, which can help spread pollen, eliminate pests, etc.

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