Subject: Bug
Location: Castle Rock, CO
July 15, 2016 3:48 pm
Dear Bugman,
My daughter found this bug on her neck while driving. She thinks it bit her and she does have a mark on her neck.
Can you tell me what it is?
Thanks!
Signature: Mary
Dear Mary,
Borer Beetles in the family Cerambycidae have very strong mandibles and the larger members in the family might even draw blood if they bite, but the bite is not considered to be dangerous. Though your daughter got a bite from this Red Shouldered Pine Borer, Stictoleptura canadensis, it sounds like it did not break the skin. The Red Shouldered Pine Borer is a highly variable species, and some individuals have very discreet shoulder patches while others have mostly red elytra. This BugGuide image is a good match for the markings on your individual.
Dear Daniel,
Thank you so much for the speedy reply! She doesn’t have any marks on her neck today, so if it did bite it must have just started before she grabbed it.
Thanks again for all the information and references.
Mary