Ponderous Borer (Trichocnemis spiculatus) on Aug 3, 2021
Submitter has sample
Description of specimen
Large brown flying beetle about two inches long with long curled antenna.
Commentary
This looks to be the Ponderous borer, one of Oregon's largest insects, and the inspiration to the modern cutting tooth on a chainsaw. It is not a pest but aids in "turning over" dead trees, logs, etc.
Large flying beetle (maybe a Ponderosa boring beetle ?) found under the hostas plant in my front yard. It was on its back with legs slightly wiggling. I stabbed it with a wooden skewer and put it in a ziplock bag. My address is listed above.
https://osubpp.com/plant-clinic/meet-the-ponderous-borer/#:~:text=The%20ponderous%20borer%20is%20probably%20the%20largest%20beetle,a%20long-horned%20beetle%20%28named%20for%20the%20long%20antennae%29.
Wyatt Williams
Aug. 5, 2021, 2:46 p.m.