Latin Name:  Monochamus scutellatus (LeConte, 1873)
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Length:  20 - 25 mm (not including antennae)

Range:  Forested areas of Alberta

Habitat:  Forested areas near spruce trees

Time of year seen:  June to September (Additional Sightings)

Diet: Larvae tunnel galleries in dead spruce trees

Other: The Spruce Sawyer is a widespread species that is found across Canada. The adult beetles typically emerge from late May to July. Their coloration ranges from mottled grey to black with a white spot at the base of the elytra. Antenna length differs between the sexes, with the male’s antennae being twice as long as their bodies while the females are close to body length. The adult beetles feed on the foliage and bark of spruce, Douglas fir, tamarack, native pines and true firs. The beetles feed for a few weeks before laying their eggs on damaged, dying, recently dead or felled trees. The larva hatch shortly after and tunnel into the tree/log and bore extensive tunnel systems in the sap and heart wood. Logs that are stored for to long in sawmill yards can be seriously damaged by Spruce Sawyer larva. In many cases the first obvious sign of infestation is the presence of adult beetles flying around. The Spruce Sawyer takes two years to complete its life cycle. (Evans et al, 2006, Ives et al, 2003)