beetle id
My son found this beautiful specimen in the yard. I can’t seem to find an ID anywhere on the web. I think it is a type of borer but not sure which. Please identify, I’m sure it’s a realitively common species. Thanks,
Chris B.
Hi Chris,
There are two species of Wood Boring Beetles in the genus Megacyllene that look nearly identical. The Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae, appears in the fall and is often found feeding on pollen and nectar on goldenrod. The Painted Hickory Borer, Megacyllene caryae, appears in the spring. Based on that information, we are relatively certain that this is a Painted Hickory Borer, but the affects of global warming are affecting the life cycles of many plants and animals. Insect emergence patterns as well as their ranges are changing due to these climactic changes.