odd bug
Location: Central Arkansas
April 7, 2011 6:05 pm
I was sitting on my carport smoking a cigarette when I looked over at my wood pile and noticed a large number of bugs that I have never seen before crawling and mating all over the wood. I’ve been looking at different forums but I can’t find it. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Signature: -Matt from Ar

Red Headed Ash Borer

Hi Matt,
This is either a Red Headed Ash Borer, Neoclytus acuminatus, or a very closely related species.

I do believe it is a Red Headed Ash Borer. I finally found one online last night. I very much appreciate your response though. Thank you.

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Please help identify
Location: dayton, OH
April 1, 2011 2:34 pm
This is one of 6 of these bugs that I have found in my house. May have brought them in with firewood, but now the wood is outside, but I still see the bugs.
Signature: david hurwitz

Which Borer is it????

Hi David,
The fact that you found this beetle indoors, and that your letter indicates you had firewood might make an exact identification impossible.  This is a Borer Beetle in the genus Megacyllene and there are two species that look nearly identical.  We generally distinguished them based upon the time of the sighting.  The Hickory Borer, Megacyllene caryae  (See BugGuide), appears in the spring while the Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae (see BugGuide), makes its appearance in the fall.  Since you had firewood stored indoors, the natural life cycle may have been upset, causing the Locust Borers to emerge early.  Neither species will harm your home.

Actually,  the firewood was only brought inside in  Feb.  and taken back outside mid march.  But you did answer my main question – harmful to the house.   Thank you.

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Bug from Central Australia
Location: Alice Springs, Central Australia, Northern Territory
March 11, 2011 4:56 am
Hello,This was found in a water trough at a preschool. It was an unusually overcast and chilly 8am. It is approx 6.5cm in length. All the children would be so glad to find out what is.
Thank you for your time
Signature: T. King

Poinciana Longicorn

Dear T. King,
We believe you have found a Poinciana Longicorn, Agrianome spinicollis, which we identified on Graeme’s Insects of Townsville, Australia website.  This past December, we provided a lengthy answer to someone who submitted another photo of a Poinciana Longicorn and you may read that in our archives.

Wow,
Thank you so much for the reply. That’s definately our new friend!
I will pass on the information to the preschool teachers.
I note that it is a species usually not found in Alice Springs Northern Territory. Maybe a traveller? We have had unseasonally large amounts of rain and a high level of humidity over the last year. A factor?
I wonder if there have been any more sightings in Alice Springs?
Maybe the preschool could post a photo and letter in our local paper to see if they get a response?
If they aren’t interested, I am! I am sure they will be though.
I wonder what we shall do with him? Any suggestions? Food is an issue as well.
What a wonderful example of the sharing of knowledge and the potential for positive exchange and connection using the internet. Insects and other smaller species of animals are often neglected and misunderstood so thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this learning experience with these children, another smaller wonderful species!
Kind regards and much appreciation
Tarnya King

Hi again Tarnya,
Weather, especially rain, is often a major contributing factor to insect appearances.  Additional sightings in Alice Springs are most easily researched on your end.  We would urge you to release your catch.

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Is this a Cerambycid in the San Bernardino Mtns?
Location: San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead approx.5800’ elevation
February 22, 2011 12:08 am
Hello, several of my neighbors have found this insect in their homes this winter. Since many residents are worried about another bark beetle outbreak, they would like to know if this beetle will damage their trees.
Signature: Gina Richmond

Cedar Tree Borer

Dear Gina,
You are correct.  This is a Cerambycid or Longicorn beetle.  We do not recognize the species and browsing through BugGuide did not prove fruitful.  This photo taken from a screen shot is quite amusing to us, but we have no idea of scale.  How large is this Longicorn?  Hopefully, we will be able to provide you with a species identification.  Longicorns do have larvae that are wood borers, but very few species do considerable damage to trees.

Identification courtesy of Karl
Hi Daniel and Gina:
Your longicorn looks like a Cedar Tree Borer (Semanotus ligneus ligneous). This beetle sparked a very length discussion when it was posted on WTB? by Kathie Jones on February 5, 2007. Based on that exchange, you may want to check your new cedar furniture if you have any. Regards. Karl

Thanks Karl,
This is most curious.  Since the insect is being reported from several different homes, we wonder if there has been a range expansion, or if the Cedar Tree Borer may be a newly introduced species in California.  It would also probably require an expert viewing the actual specimen to determine if this really is a Cedar Tree Borer or some look-alike.

Comment from Brian, an entomologist
Daniel
Make me wonder what is going on with this one???????
I agree it is most likely Semanotusbut to get it to species level by the photo would be hard to do. Better photo would be great.
Semanotus ligneus does occur in California but I have never seen one so red in color and the placement of the spots on the elytra does not seem just right.
This genus does include some exotics and it may be worthwhile for them to submit it to the state or an extension service.  Better safe than sorry. Far as I know the USA only has two species for this genus.
I would not guess cedar furniture but firewood since it is found in more than one home. Most likely wood from the surrounding area. Juniperus maybe? but that not a common species used for firewood.
Well thanks for peaking my interest. Hope its a native and not an exotic
As always keep up the great work!
Brian

Thanks so much for the information! I will forward this to the neighbors who have encountered the Cedar Tree Borer in their homes. I will check back to this site often as I really enjoy learning more about insects- what a great website,
All the best,
Gina Richmond

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