Many years ago I saw one of these beetles in my yard and later wondered if it was one of those terrible Asian longhorned beetles that destroy our forests. Should I have killed it and saved our forests?
Most likely our forests were not in danger, and I’m glad I didn’t kill the poor bug. Yes, it bores into wood and lays its eggs there so its progeny will also bore into the wood, but it prefers dead wood. By eating the dead wood, it is actually doing more good than harm.
Today, I found this poor little guy already dead on the walk beside my house. I picked it up with my bare hands in spite of the horror I have of touching bugs. If it had wiggled, I would have been in trouble. But no, it didn’t move. I wanted to take its picture so I could identify it for sure.
I apologized to it for placing it in such an undignified pose, but I wanted to be sure, in case I needed to confirm its I.D. by its underside. If you click to make the photo below bigger, you can see that it has fuzzy mitts on its front legs and tufts of “fur” on its antennae.
Here is what I found out.
It is a banded alder beetle, often confused with the Asian longhorn beetle, a
damaging exotic pest.
I found more information at this site:
https://entomology.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/entomology/Banded_Alder%20Borer_13.pdf
They said:
The easiest way to distinguish these two species is to look at the segment directly behind the head. On the Asian longhorn beetle the area is entirely shiny black while on the BAB the area is white with a single, large black spot that occupies 60% or more of the segment.
On the photo above you can see that black circle on its head, a sure sign that it is a banded alder borer, and not the dreaded Asian longhorn beetle.
Thanks, Anneli, for this interesting information! 🙂
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These beetles do occur in our area but they are relatively rare, so I was happy to find this one.
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🙂
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Wow! A very art deco looking bug, Anneli. Thanks for the introduction. 🙂
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He’s a looker, all right! Art deco! He would like that term, I think.
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🙂
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Interesting little critter! That’s one I haven’t seen here.
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Maybe it’s a more coastal bug. Not sure. It’s relatively rare here.
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I’m comforted by the fact that this creature feeds on dead wood, thus actually doing good! Love your scientific curiosity!
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There’s always something new to explore out there. Keeps life exciting, doesn’t it?
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Nevertheless, terrifying for an sufferer of Entomophobia…… (Me 😦 )
Cheers !
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I’m a close second on that!
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Very interesting post and your photos are amazing as per usual. Glad to know this bug was one of the good guys.
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Yes, so was I. And I was glad I hadn’t killed it just for being a beetle. I don’t know what killed it. Maybe the extreme heat. Who knows? I think it’s kind of pretty – for a bug.
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All I can say here is . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNELI. I’m so glad for this day, because you were born, and I finally got to meet you online, even though you’re so far away from me. Blessings to you on this day and beyond. Hugs.
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Thank you, Lori. What a surprise. I didn’t know you knew what day my birthday was. That’s so sweet of you. I plan to have a great day – a friend is taking me out for lunch. Hope you have a wonderful day too.
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Hehe. I cheated. Facebook told me. Have fun with your friend. 🙂
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There are no secrets anymore. 😉
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That’s such a pretty bug, Anneli. I’m so glad you took the time to research and I’m glad it was the “friendly” kind of beetle. 🙂
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It’s too bad that it’s near lookalike is not so good to have around.
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Interesting. One I have never seen or heard of. You must wear your camera around your neck 24/7, just in case. Thanks for the info.
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Sometimes it comes in very handy.
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Thanks for the perfect pictures and all the info about this pretty bug!
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He really is unusual in that black and white striped dress.
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Interesting post and an insect with very attractive markings. New to me.
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We see them rarely here too.
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I love the way your curiosity and desire to properly research made it possible for you to handle and inspect so closely. I don’t mind handling insects, but there are other things I won’t do, so I’m sympathetic! A very interesting post, Anneli. 🙂 He really is quite beautiful!
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I’m beginning to see that insects have their own kind of beauty. One of the things that has opened my eyes to that is Belinda Grover’s photography blog. She has posted some beautiful insect photos.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Debra.
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