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Insect identification #926106

Asked March 16, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT

This insect is found primarily where I store firewood and bird food. The space is open to my basement (1/2 of which is dirt). About 3 times per month I find it in my kitchen or living room. It appears to be more of a nuisance. Thanks for your help!

Nobles County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

We are Extension Master Gardener volunteers who answer yard and garden questions. We are not entomologists. Having said that, I did some research using your photos of the insect. 

I believe it is a spiny long horned beetle: https://minnesotaseasons.com/Insects/spined_long-horned_beetle.html

Here is another link: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144084-Blosyropus-spinosus

This information indicates it is not usually a resident of Minnesota. Based on the information about where it lives, I think it's probably coming into your home in the firewood as eggs or larva. When it warms up, in your home,  it feeds on the rotting wood and hatches into the beetle. 

Good Luck!

Maureen Graber Replied March 17, 2026, 9:07 AM EDT

Good Afternoon, 

One of the extension experts weighed in on the insect. He believes it is the banded ash borer (not emerald ash borer) . Here is a link: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/arthopods/wood-borers/banded-ash-borer#:~:text=Banded%20ash%20borer%20adult%20(David,spring%20prior%20to%20egg%20laying.

I stand corrected. I hope this helps!


Maureen Graber Replied March 17, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT

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