Bee Beetle
Location: West Valley City, UT
February 7, 2011 1:06 pm
My preschool children found this in our classroom in West Valley City Utah. They thought it was a bee. Can you please help us identify it. Thank you
Signature: Valerie Martinson
Hi Valerie,
Do you have a supply of firewood in the classroom? Generally, when we get a report of a Red Headed Ash Borer, Neoclytus acuminatus, that is found indoors in the winter, it is because it has metamorphosed early because of warmer indoor temperatures. According to BugGuide: “It overwinters in the trunk of infested trees, probably in the pupal stage. The adult emerges in early spring and lays eggs under the bark of recently dead trees.” It is believed that this species mimics stinging wasps as a means of self preservation.