Showy-beetle
Guides
Purpuricenus humeralis
Red Triangle Long-horned Beetle
Purpuricenus humeralis is a large, showy longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Fabricius in 1798. It is distinguished from congeners by triangular red or orange markings on the humeri (shoulders) of the elytra, rather than transverse bands covering the basal half. The species occurs in northeastern North America and is attracted to fermenting bait traps. It is one of three similar Purpuricenus species in eastern North America, historically confused with P. axillaris until careful study revealed consistent morphological differences.