twig girdler

insect

Also known as: Oncideres cingulata

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The twig girdler is a type of cerambycid beetle found in the eastern United States. This insect is known for its habit of laying eggs within the twigs of various hardwood trees.1

To protect its eggs, the twig girdler girdles the twigs, effectively cutting them off from the tree. This action causes the twigs to fall to the ground, where the eggs can hatch and the larvae can develop. The term "stem girdler" is a broader category for insects that girdle plant stems, which can include beetles like the twig girdler. Another related insect is the twig borer, which are various beetles or their larvae that bore into twigs.123

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long-horned beetle
Major subfamilies, genera, and species
The twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata) deposits eggs in twigs and then girdles, or cuts, a groove around the twig. Eventually the twig dies and breaks off, and the larvae develop inside the dead twig. The harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) is a large tropical American beetle with…
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The twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata) deposits eggs in twigs and then girdles, or cuts, a groove around the twig. Eventually the twig dies and breaks off, and the larvae develop inside the dead twig. The harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) is a large tropical American beetle with…
Read More