Pronunciation: cer-am-BIS-si-dee
Common name: longhorned beetles
Identifying characteristics for the family Cerambycidae include: - Long filiform antennae, ranging from one-half to over two times the length of the body.
- Body usually elongate and cylindrical; 2- to 60-mm in length.
- Eyes generally notched with antenna arising within the notch.
- Tarsi apparently 4-4-4, really 5-5-5 with the 4th segment small and inconspicuous.
Additional information: - The Chrysomelidae have the same tarsal formula as the Cerambycidae, but their antennae are shorter, the body is likely to be oval, and the eyes are not notched.
- There are over 290 genera and 1100 species of Cerambycidae in North America, making it the seventh largest family of beetles.
- Many species are brightly colored, making this a favorite group of beetle collectors.
- Adults of many species feed on flowers, others feed on leaves and bark.
- Larvae of many species are the roundheaded borers found in the wood of living, dying, and dead trees (cf. flatheaded borers of the Buprestidae).
- The Cerambycidae play an important role in nutrient recycling in forest ecosystems. This feature, however, makes then serious pests in timber and wood products.
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