Locust Borer
Megacyllene robiniae
This beetle is a classic example of Batesian mimicry; its bright yellow-and-black bands perfectly copy yellowjacket wasps to scare off hungry birds.
- Scientific name
- Megacyllene robiniae
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Cerambycidae › Megacyllene
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, woodland edges, and urban parks containing black locust trees and goldenrod plants.
- Diet
- Adults feed on goldenrod pollen and nectar; larvae feed on the inner bark and wood of black locust trees.
- Range
- North America
- Size
- 15 to 28 mm (0.6 to 1.1 inches) in length.
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year (mostly spent in the larval stage).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Generally secure; localized threats include the removal of black locust trees and heavy pesticide use in urban forestry.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Though they mimic stinging wasps to deter predators, they cannot sting. They may pinch weakly with their mandibles if handled. Observe them safely at any distance on goldenrod flowers in late summer.
Megacyllene robiniae , commonly known as the locust borer , is a species of longhorn beetle endemic to eastern North America. It is a serious pest of Robinia pseudoacacia , the black locust tree, with which it is sympatric.
Photo: Jimmy Dee, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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