What do long-horned beetle larvae eat inside trees?

Long-horned beetle larvae—often referred to as roundheaded borers—feed on the internal tissues of woody plants and trees. Using their strong jaws, they bore through and consume the plant material for one to two years or more as they develop.1

Specific feeding habits vary by species and the host plant:

• Inner Bark: Some species, such as the locust borer, hatch and bore into the inner bark of trees, creating tunnels.1
• Heartwood: Others, like the Asian longhorned beetle, migrate to the heart of the tree to feed and mature.1
• Pithy Stems and Roots: Certain larvae bore into the pithy stems of plants like the elderberry bush, while others, such as the broad-necked prionus, feed within the roots of various fruit and ornamental trees.1
• Dead Wood: Some species, such as the twig girdler, develop inside twigs that have been cut off from the main plant.1