beetle
Location: Graham County, NC (Snowbird Mountains)
June 1, 2011 7:47 am
I photographed this beetle in the mts. It was on a Mountain Ash. It is a beautiful insect.
Signature: Cherrie
Dear Cherrie,
This gorgeous beetle is an Elderberry Borer, Desmocerus palliatus. According to BugGuide: “Adults feed on pollen, found on flowers, especially those of elderberry,” and “Larvae feed on elderberry, Sambucus. Eggs are laid on stems, near base of plant. Larvae burrow into stems and then tunnel down to feed on living roots.”