Subject: Locust borer… or not?
Geographic location of the bug: Massachusetts
Date: 07/23/2018
Time: 04:42 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I found this beautiful creature in my yard. The closest I can find to identify it is locust borer beetle, but the markings do not match exactly. Any ideas what it might be? We don’t have any locust trees nearby, in case that makes any difference.
How you want your letter signed: Elle
Dear Elle,
You got the family correct, but not the species. This gorgeous beetle is a Sugar Maple Borer, and according to BugGuide, it is: “Rare” and “Extirpated from much of midwestern U.S.” so you should consider yourself lucky to have seen a living individual.
Thank you!! I do consider myself lucky. It’s quite beautiful.