The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), also known as long-horned or longicorns, are a large family of beetles, with over 35,000 species described. Most species are characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body. In various members of the family, however, the antennae are quite short and such species can be difficult to distinguish from related beetle families such as the Chrysomelidae. The scientific name of this beetle family goes back to a figure from Greek mythology: after an argument with nymphs, the shepherd Cerambus was transformed into a large beetle with horns.
The Prioninae are a subfamily of Cerambycidae. They are typically large (25–70 mm) and usually brown or black. The males of a few genera sport large mandibles that are used in fights with other males, similar to stag beetles. These beetles are commonly nocturnal and are attracted to light. The majority of the Prioninae whose biology is known are borers whose larvae feed on rotting wood or roots.
Xixuthrus is a small genus of long-horned beetles, found primarily on Pacific islands, including Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji, and contains some of the largest living insect species, the giant Fijian long-horned beetle and the Taveuni beetle. These beetles have powerful jaws, and should be handled with care when alive. No scientists have yet seen a larva of this genus, although in Fiji, where three different species occur, the natives consider them to be a rare and special delicacy.
The giant Fijian long-horned beetle is native to the island of Viti Levu in Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 15 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or jaws. It is closely related to the Taveuni beetle, which is only marginally smaller. These beetles have powerful jaws, and should be handled with care when alive—when threatened, they produce a loud and fearsome hissing noise by squeezing air out from under their elytra. Various websites and other resources incorrectly indicate that this species is extinct; it is not, though the forest habitat on its home island is somewhat limited, so the beetle is potentially quite vulnerable.
The Taveuni beetle is known from the island of Taveuni in the Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 14 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or mandibles.
Friedrich F. Tippmann was a Hungarian entomologist who specialised in Coleoptera, especially the Cerambycidae.
Macrodontia is an American genus of long-horned beetles remarkable for their large size and for the large mandibles of the males in particular.
Spondylidinae are a small subfamily of Cerambycidae including slightly over 100 species, primarily in the coniferous forests of the Boreal hemisphere. A few species occur in coniferous forests in tropical and subtropical areas, while very few genera are present in Austral Africa and Madagascar.
The Disteniidae are a small family of beetles in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea, traditionally treated as a group within the Cerambycidae.
The Oxypeltidae are a small family belonging to the superfamily Chrysomeloidea, widespread in the Andean region of Chile and Argentina. They have traditionally been considered a group within the Cerambycidae.
The Vesperidae are a small family of beetles, normally classified within the family Cerambycidae, of heterogeneous aspect but all characterised by larval stages related to roots of herbaceous plants or trees
The Trictenotomidae are a small family of beetles in the suborder Polyphaga containing fifteen species in two genera. Most species are found in the Oriental realm where they live in montane forest habitats. The family is considered, based on larval characters as well as sequence-based studies, to be closely related to the Salpingidae.
Enoplocerus is a genus of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Prioninae of the family Cerambycidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Enoplocerus armillatus, commonly known as the giant longhorn beetle or imperious sawyer.
Ucai is a genus of beetles in the longhorn beetle family, Cerambycidae. It was erected in 2009 with the description of a new species from Brazil. A second species was described in 2014.
Seticeros is a genus of beetles in the longhorn beetle family, Cerambycidae.
Trichocnemis is a genus of beetles in the longhorn beetle family, Cerambycidae. Its species have often been treated as members of genus Ergates. Authors who separate the two genera differentiate Trichocnemis by a proportionally smaller head, the shape of the mandibles, the length of the antennae, and various other details in the morphology of the body and legs.
Hovorodon is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae. It was established in 2010 by division of the genus Nothopleurus and contains the following species:
Strongylaspis is a genus of beetles in the longhorn beetle family, Cerambycidae.
Prionacalus is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the following species:
Acanthophorus is a genus of prionine longhorn beetles from the Indian subcontinent. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Acanthophorus serraticornis. Other species that were formerly included in the genus are now placed in other genera.
