Brown Prionid
Orthosoma brunneum
The larvae are essential decomposers, chewing through tough cellulose and accelerating the return of nutrients to the forest floor.
- Scientific name
- Orthosoma brunneum
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Cerambycidae › Orthosoma
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, especially near decomposing hardwood logs and stumps.
- Diet
- Larvae feed on decaying wood of various deciduous trees; adults feed minimally on tree sap.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Southeastern Canada
- Size
- 2.5 to 5.0 cm (1 to 2 inches) in length.
- Lifespan
- 2 to 3 years (mostly as larvae); adults live for only a few weeks.
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Deforestation, intensive forestry practices that remove dead wood, and light pollution.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but defensive. The Brown Prionid can deliver a painful pinch with its powerful mandibles if handled or threatened. It is best to observe them without touching. If pinched, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water; medical attention is not required unless the skin is broken and shows signs of infection.
Orthosoma brunneum is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae, the only species in the genus Orthosoma . The genus name Orthosoma was also used for a microsporidian genus. As it is pre-occupied by this beetle genus name, it has been changed to Orthosomella .
Photo: John P Friel, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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