Tropical Longhorn Beetles

This morning when I arrived at the Canopy Bed & Breakfast, Danilo pointed out a beautiful male Harlequin Beetle hiding underneath the doorway.  I was so pleased to finally see one of these beetles!  This species, Acrocinus longimanus, is among one of the largest in the Americas.  It has a body length of 8 centimetres, but in addition to that, males have elongated forelegs that can be much longer than the length of their body.  Both males and females have beautiful, ornately patterned elytra with red, olive and black scrolling lines.  They are a member of the longhorn beetle family Cerambycidae, and this species in particular has rather long antennae or "horns".  This diurnal species feeds on the sap of trees and females lay their eggs in chewed out grooves on the surface of dead or dying trees.  This species is found from Mexico south through Central America and throughout the Amazon region of South America.  

Harlequin Beetle, Acrocinus longimanus

Harlequin Beetle, Acrocinus longimanus

A couple years ago, when I was working in Ecuador, I came across another impressive Cerambycid one night while camping on the reserve with some volunteers.  This is Macrodontia cervicornis, "Macrodontia" meaning "long tooth" and "cervicornis" meaning "deer antler", for the shape of the mandibles.  At first it startled us with its rapid movements on the leaves of a small shrub at the camp.  I couldn't help but get closer to get a better look, and at one point had this beautiful, yet intimidating beetle in my hand.  This is the largest species longhorn beetles, and can reach lengths of over 17 centimetres.  In addition to this, they have impressive mandibles!  This species is also one of the most widespread, found throughout the Amazon rainforest of South America.  Macrodontia cervicornis is primarily nocturnal, and feeds on plant material including sap, bark and fruits.  Its larvae are particularly enormous, reaching lengths of 21 centimetres and can bore galleries in trees over a metre long.  Most of this species' lifespan is spent in the larval phase, which can last up to 10 years!

Unfortunately due to the extent of deforestation in its rainforest habitat and long larval phase (reducing time for reproduction), as well as demand for insect collections, this species is at risk and is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.  

Macrodontia cervicornis

Macrodontia cervicornis

These large longhorn beetles of tropical America are needless to say impressive, beautiful and can open our eyes to the world of insects, their world and importance to ours.  

~ Jenn