Massive longhorned beetle needs an ID

[Draiman]

He's 3 inches long and I have no idea what he is. Longhorned beetles are vegetarian, I assume?

 

[Matt K]

There is a similar version where I live, and it does not eat much in its adult form. Basically they are adults just to reproduce. The larvae of longhorns live for quite some time and in most species that I am aware of they burrow inside of live trees to feed and grow, while others burrow and feed in dead logs. Either way, I would not expect this one to live long as it is in its adult phase.

Here is one of several species around here with the same size and body shape, but different color pattern:

http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Cottonwood-Borer

 

[Galapoheros]

That's a big one, so many species all over the world. I've got one Longhorn beetle grub in a piece of wood right now.

 

[lukatsi]

It looks like a Batocera species, maybe Batocera rubus? Where have you found it? I don't know much about their biology, but what would I give for holding one alive!

 

[Draiman]

It looks like a Batocera species, maybe Batocera rubus? Where have you found it? I don't know much about their biology, but what would I give for holding one alive!

I think I have it tentatively identified as Batocera rufomaculata. What do I feed these guys? On another forum I have been advised to offer it fresh sugar cane. Will apple do as well?

 

[bhoeschcod]

im just throwing my 2cents but dont they bite hard?

 

[Widowman10]

the ones around my part do