Not a snake (Cottonwood Borer Beetle)
Plectrodera scalator • Order: Coleoptera; Family: Cerambycidae; Genus: Plectrodera; Species: P. scalator
Commonly found in the Eastern and Central United States, specifically in areas with cottonwood or willow trees.
Look up Not a snake (Cottonwood Borer Beetle) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; this is an insect, not a snake.
Danger Level
Harmless; they possess strong mandibles and may give a pinch if handled roughly, but they are not dangerous to humans.
Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Cerambycidae; Genus: Plectrodera; Species: P. scalator
Conservation
Not Evaluated (IUCN), but generally considered common and stable within its range.
Physical Description
A large beetle with a blocky, cream/white and black checkered/rectangular pattern on the elytra. Long, black antennae (longhorn beetle) and a sturdy thorax with lateral spikes.
Size & Dimensions
Typically 25–40 mm (1.0–1.6 inches) in length, excluding the very long antennae.
Habitat
Found near watercourses, riverbanks, and urban areas where host trees (Populus and Salix species) are present.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal or crepuscular. Generally slow-moving but capable of flight. May produce a squeaking or stridulating sound when threatened.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae bore into the roots and bases of cottonwood and willow trees. Adults feed on the tender bark of twigs and leaf petioles.
Reproduction
Oviparous. Females lay eggs at the base of host trees; larvae spend 1–2 years tunneling through the wood before pupating.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Other longhorn beetles like the Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), which has different patterning and is an invasive species.
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated (IUCN), but generally considered common and stable within its range.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically significant as a wood-boring insect that contributes to the decomposition cycle of riparian trees.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'porcelain' appearance due to the high-contrast black and white markings; exceptionally long antennae typical of the Cerambycidae family.