# Large insect ID **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 30, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662 "2021-07-30T19:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/1 "2021-07-30T19:32:15Z")
I was stacking wood, and I saw this large insect on one of the logs. I’m guessing the overall length was about four inches. Does anyone know what it is? [![](https://i.imgur.com/Iphi17Q.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Iphi17Q.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/2 "2021-07-30T19:35:41Z")
Cool looking bug. I just saw this one. [![](https://i.imgur.com/LiEOrxM.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/LiEOrxM.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/3 "2021-07-30T19:36:44Z")
[Banded alder borer?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalia_funebris) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/4 "2021-07-30T19:37:03Z")
I think it’s a > **[Rosalia longicorn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalia_longicorn)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) or Alpine longhorn beetle, is a large longicorn (family Cerambycidae) that is distinguished by its distinctive markings. > The Rosalia longicorn is 15 to 38 mm (0.59 to 1.50 in) long. The antennae can be up to twice as long as the rest of the body in males, and the same length in females. The elytra are flat, blue-gray, with variable black spots, including a prominent one on the thorax, a silky one in front,... ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/5 "2021-07-30T19:43:21Z")
That’s it. As I said, I was stacking firewood. From the Wikipedia article, it sounds like the larvae feed on live trees, while the eggs are laid in ‘felled’ trees. I’m guessing the wood will be OK for firewood. FWIW, the wood came from a maple tree we had chopped down a few years ago. There’s a lot of termite damage in both the maple, which has been in a stack in the yard until I split the logs last weekend, and also in the cedar logs. (I think the termite damage is what caused the cedar to come down earlier this year. We’re having the rest of it cut down Thursday.) I’ll put out the termite-infested wood so people can take it for camp wood at the beach. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/6 "2021-07-30T20:31:00Z")
☹ Looks more like an Asian longhorn beetle to me. [https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/asian-longhorned-beetle/asian-longhorned-beetle](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/asian-longhorned-beetle/asian-longhorned-beetle) … having said that, the Asians look like they have more black on them than yours does, whereas the Alpines look like they have less black than your. Uncertain now. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/7 "2021-07-30T20:47:21Z")
I think gdave had it. > The elytra are dark with three white bands. The thorax ([pronotum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronotum)) is white with a large black spot. The alder borer’s [antennae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(biology)) are banded white and black. The male’s antennae are longer than the body Three white bands n wing covers? Check. Large black spot? Check. And it looks like a male. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/8 "2021-07-30T20:59:00Z")
The issue is that the **Rosalia longicorn** ( _Rosalia alpina_ ) or **Alpine longhorn beetle** , is a fairly rare beetle that lives only in Europe. The **Asian Longhorned Beetle** is on the East coast. Sadly. If it IS a ALB, and I think that is rather unlikely, call your State Ag dept soonest, if you still live in north Washington state. That would be very very bad. But since @gdave guess of a **banded alder borer** , _ **Rosalia funebris** _ , is a local beetle, that is most likely. He is almost certainly correct. They eat the wood of downed trees so are not a forestry threat. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/9 "2021-07-30T21:06:56Z")
That one is a leaf-footed bug. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/10 "2021-07-30T21:12:58Z")
And the one in the OP is _not_ an Asian Longhorned. It is maybe a banded alder borer. > **[July 21, 2013 - Roseburg, Oregon, U.S - Two large male banded alder borers...](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-july-21-2013-roseburg-oregon-us-two-large-male-banded-alder-borers-58388500.html)** > > Download this stock image: July 21, 2013 - Roseburg, Oregon, U.S - Two large male banded alder borers (Rosalia funebris) climb on a woodpile behind a home in rural Douglas County, Ore., near Roseburg. The banded alder borer is a member of the very... (I found an asian longhorned once in a pallet of goods from China. But it was dead.) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/11 "2021-07-31T00:56:20Z")
Well, I’m glad it’s not. Glad to be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-insect-id/947662/12 "2021-07-31T12:18:23Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > That one is a leaf-footed bug Correct! It landed on my table and sat long enough for me to take some pictures. A true bug.