Family: Cerambycidae
Subfamily: Prioninae
Length: 20-48 mm
This beetle’s upper surfaces are black to reddish brown. Males have long and robust antennae (see photos), reaching to the posterior third of the elytra when pushed back. The females’ antennae barely extend past the shoulders of the elytra. The mid-pronotum is as wide as the base of the elytra. The lateral edges of the pronotum are toothed. The elytra have three modest ridges extending from front to back, and the surface of the elytra have a wrinkled appearance.
The larvae feed on the roots of various live woody plants. Adult males fly throughout the summer, but the massive females are not known to fly. The species is attracted to lights.
Left: The head and pronotum of a Prionus laticollis. Note the toothed edges of the pronotum, and the wrinkled appearance of the elytra.
Insects of West Virginia
