Cedar beetles range in size from ½ to 1 inch long. The body is elongate and the elytra (first pair of wings) are nearly parallel. The antenna is short and saw toothed to lamellate (plate like). These beetles are reddish brown to black. The male has larger more feathery antenna. The female has sawtoothed antennae. The males can vary in color from black to light brown.
Adults are active in the fall where they congregate in large numbers on the trunks of elm and other trees. Eggs are laid in bark crevices and cracks. The occurrence in Fontenelle Forest is not known. This one was photographed at the nature center.
The larvae are parasites on cicada nymphs (Not surprisingly these beetles are also known as cicada parasite beetles). Once attached to these nymphs, they become sedentary grubs. This particular species is the most frequently collected cedar beetle in the eastern U.S.
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