Forest-indicator-species
Guides
Cyrtophorus verrucosus
Ant-like Longhorn Beetle, Ant-mimic Longhorn Beetle
Cyrtophorus verrucosus is a small longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) remarkable for its specialized ant mimicry, including ant-like movement patterns. The species exhibits color polymorphism with red and black morphs, each thought to mimic different Camponotus ant species. Adults feed on pollen and nectar from spring flowers, while larvae develop in dead wood of various hardwood trees. Native to eastern North America and southern Canada, this beetle is most active in early spring and serves as a useful indicator species for forest habitat quality.