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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Longhorn and Leaf Beetles (Chrysomeloidea) » Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae) » Prioninae » Prionini » Prionus » subgenus Prionus (Prionus subgenus Prionus) » Broad-necked Root Borer (Prionus laticollis)
Photo#307796
Prionus laticollis - Broad-necked root borer mating - Prionus laticollis - male - female
Copyright © 2009 teldridge

Prionus laticollis - Broad-necked root borer mating - Prionus laticollis - Male Female
Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA
July 20, 2009
Size: 5.0cm female, 3.5cm male
Managed to photograph the entire play-by-play from female presumably emitting pheromones to copulation with male to female laying eggs in the ground nearby. The only thing I missed capturing on film was the vole that jumped out from underneath the fence and taking off with the female. I'm still in shock that I managed to witness the entire process, especially the vole attack. If anyone is interested in seeing the rest of the photos, please let me know.
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Contributed by teldridge on 21 July, 2009 - 12:54pm
Last updated 22 September, 2016 - 8:30am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Boris Büche, 22 August, 2009 - 8:35am login or register to post comments

That IS amazing!
I just shot a bunch of pictures of stag beetles mating a few nights ago, but didn't realize the female might go off and lay eggs right away. Now I wish I'd kept watching her.
… Ashley Bradford, 21 July, 2009 - 2:24pm login or register to post comments

 
OH!
Ashley, you have to post some of those, even just the male. I'm jealous! I can't find any around here. Where'd you find them? If you post I can ask questions there.
… Andrew Williams, 21 July, 2009 - 2:34pm login or register to post comments

 
Male
We have very few pictures of males so a good one of this male would be nice.
… Beatriz Moisset, 19 November, 2009 - 7:11am login or register to post comments

 
Don't worry,
I will. 8)
… Ashley Bradford, 21 July, 2009 - 6:22pm login or register to post comments

thanks for sharing
I find the story to be interesting, especially the vole part! Wow. The only one I've seen and photo'd was rescued from being house cat play toy, that time prey vs. predator. Sounds like you got a neat photo sequence. Curious, how long was it from attracting male, to laying eggs in the ground?
… Andrew Williams, 21 July, 2009 - 1:01pm login or register to post comments

 
Root Borer Mating
It took about ten minutes from the time I noticed the male frantically searching about a meter away until he reached the female, about 1 minute actually copulating (no apparent courtship ritual), and about 1 hour from the point of separation until the vole attack. The female would travel a few centimeters, lay an egg(s), then travel a few more centimeters, lay another egg(s), and so on. She had probably deposited eggs in about 15-20 locations before the vole showed up.
… teldridge, 21 July, 2009 - 1:10pm login or register to post comments

 
multiple locations
I wouldn't have thought about multiple egg laying locations, but that would make sense from a survival standpoint. I just imagined her going to one spot and stuffing them all in there. Wonder how long the vole was eyeing the prize? :)
… Andrew Williams, 21 July, 2009 - 1:45pm login or register to post comments

 
Haha that is awesome
I want to know how long that vole was sitting there watching her too. I love it when you get to see nature in action. Please post pictures you have!
… Natalie Hernandez, 21 July, 2009 - 4:28pm login or register to post comments

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