COMMON NAME:  Iridescent green beetle

SCIENTIFIC NAME:  Order Coleoptera, Family Cerambycidae, Plinthovelium suaveolens

SIZE:  1 ½ inches

IDENTIFICATION:  Iridescent green with antennae as long as the body

BIOLOGY:  Complete metamorphosis.

HABITAT:  Larvae found in cut or fallen trees.  Adults found around flowers.

FEEDING HABITS:  Larvae feed on wood, adults feed on leaves, fruit, pollen, nectar, sap and fungi.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:  Larvae cut tree trunks before it’s made into lumber but at the same time they help fallen trees and limbs in the forest decay faster.  Adults are beneficial.  They aid in pollination.

NATURAL CONTROL:  Woodpeckers.

ORGANIC CONTROL:  Not considered damaging enough to warrant control.

INSIGHT:  Popular with collectors but handle very carefully, they may bite.  Beautiful and big beetles add beauty and fascination to nature and are of little trouble to us.