While exploring Red Rock Canyon (which is not far from Las Vegas), I came across a couple of these huge beetles. For an insect as large and as widespread as the Long-horned Oak Beetle, there is actually very little information available about them.

The appear to range from California to Texas and Oklahoma and from Utah south into old Mexico. Male are slightly smaller than females, but have longer antenna. Adults are active from June to early September.

Long-horns are a large family of beetles, with over 35,000 species described. Most are are characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the insect’s body.

Females lay their eggs in bark crevices, and the emerging larvae bore into the inner bark and sapwood of oak trees. Long-horned Beetles can take one or more years to complete one generation.

They made squeaky noises when picked up, but did not bite, despite looking a bit fierce. These insects also showed off their ability to fly, but only did so for a short distance.

Long-horned Oak Borers were a super cool find on my trip to the desert.

Third Eye Herp
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