Subject: What is this?
Geographic location of the bug: Winston-Salem, NC
Date: 09/06/2019
Time: 03:11 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: These photos were taken on 07/31/19 in the parking lot of a suburban park. The body of the insect shown was about 1 inch long.
How you want your letter signed: Amanda T.
Dear Amanda,
This is a Longicorn or Longhorned Borer Beetle in the genus Neoclytus, and it has no common name. We believe we have correctly identified it as Neoclytus mucronatus thanks to this image on BugGuide. It is one of the species that mimics a stinging wasp like a Paper Wasp for protection as the beetle does not sting, but potential predators are put off by the warning colors.
Thanks for the swift response! I’m glad you were able to ID this for me. The markings on the wing casings kept me from seeing that it was any kind of beetle. I guess mimicry works to fool amateur entomologists too.
-AT