Latin: Leptura rubra
The red-brown longhorn beetle is known under its Latin name as Leptura rubra. Even though it is a beautiful insect in its appearance with their brightly colors, the red-brown longhorn beetle can damage the woodwork of the house. If you find the insect in your home, it is important to react quickly as well as establish preventions.
Appearance
The red-brown longhorn beetle is 12-18 mm long and is characterized by the reddish brown or red colored cover wings. Color wise there are all kinds of variants. However, they have yellowish hair, which is characteristic for this species.
In general, the females are larger than the male which can be surprising to some people. The female is also more robust in her appearance, while the male is seeming slimmer. This is the easiest way to distinguish the females from the males since the differences between the sexes are clear.
Biology and behavior
The red-brown longhorn beetle is found in July to August. The females lay all their eggs in stems and branches that are rotten and moist. Thereafter, the larvae live in the wood. Typically, it takes about two years before they are fully grown and start to gnaw their way out from the tree and emerge from fly holes.
It is common to encounter red-brown longhorn beetles in Denmark and they are seen all over the country. However, it is mainly in July to August that they can be seen in greater numbers.
Damage
If the red-brown longhorn beetle attacks a tree, the tree will be damaged by dark colored rot and fungus. The passages ways for the larval runs longitudinally with the tree and is filled with firm drilling dust. The red-brown longhorn beetle leaves fly holes which are round and have a diameter of 5-8 mm.
Unfortunately, it is not only trees in nature that are damaged by the red-brown longhorn beetle. The insect can also infest buildings. They only infest woodwork that has been damaged by moisture or attacked by fungus or rot. Here it is most often woodwork in connection with poles, posts, doorsteps, door frames, window frames as well as exterior wood.
The red-brown longhorn beetle is considered a threat when it comes wood that has been infested with either fungus, moist or rot. When the insect attacks the tree, the destruction will accelerate. They are therefore considered a threat even when the tree already has been damaged.
Prevention and control
Since the red-brown longhorn beetle attacks woodwork, that has already been damaged, it is important to avoid moist. If damage does occur and the red-brown longhorn beetle attacks, you should replace the woodwork. It there is still moist problems it is recommended to use pretreated wood. If it is a mild attack by the red-brown longhorn beetles, it may be enough to dry out the area and treat it with a wood preservative. It is essential to use wood preservative approved against insects, rot, and fungus.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)