Subject: Mallodon Dasystomus?
Location: Upper Texas Coast
May 22, 2017 3:47 pm
On Saturday night this not-quite-two-inch beetle came to our door. It seems to be Mallodon dasystomus, the hardwood stump borer, and displays the characteristic golden fur on the inside surface of its mandibles.
I live on the Upper Texas Coast near Houston.
Signature: Lachlan
Hardwood Stump Borer
Dear Lachlan,
We believe you are correct that this is a Hardwood Stump Borer. According to BugGuide: “Larvae bore in live heartwood of trees, incl. oak, elm, willow, pecan, maple, sycamore, etc” and “take 3-4 years to mature. Can be economically damaging. Adults come to lights.” However, we would not rule out that it might be a Live Oak Root Borer, Archodontes melanopus, which is also pictured on BugGuide. We will attempt to get an exact species identification for you.
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Daniel and Lachlan , I believe that you have a wonderful specimen of Mallodon dasystomus ! Cheers ! Gene St. Denis Sierra Nevada Research
Thanks for the identification Gene.