Question about Brown Prionid Orthosoma brunneum beetle - Ask Extension
For two nights in a row we've caught one of these in our house. I let the first one go because it seemed from my reading that they are harmless, eati...
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Question about Brown Prionid Orthosoma brunneum beetle #702024
Asked July 17, 2020, 3:05 PM EDT
For two nights in a row we've caught one of these in our house. I let the first one go because it seemed from my reading that they are harmless, eating decayed wood. I'm a bit unsettled with the second. Could I have an infestation? Will they harm living trees and vegetation? Should I be concerned? If so, what should I do?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi - Many of the longhorned beetles (including Orthosoma brunneum) are active as adults in June and early July. These native beetles do tend to wander into people's homes, as they are attracted to lights at night. The larvae of this species feed on decaying wood. They are not a real threat to healthy trees.
Do take care to protect your trees from stress during these very hot, dry periods in the summer. Keep up with watering during dry periods. Refer to our watering guidelines for trees, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/watering-trees-and-shrubs Trees that are stressed due to poor growing conditions (drought, too much mulch, soil compaction) can become weakened over time and that's when they become more susceptible to pest and diseases problems.
Christa
Do take care to protect your trees from stress during these very hot, dry periods in the summer. Keep up with watering during dry periods. Refer to our watering guidelines for trees, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/watering-trees-and-shrubs Trees that are stressed due to poor growing conditions (drought, too much mulch, soil compaction) can become weakened over time and that's when they become more susceptible to pest and diseases problems.
Christa
