The world is full of deception.
At every turn, something is not what it first appears to be.
And a closer look reveals the true being.
Autumn EveningEven in our field, now quiet of birds and chirping insects, except for a lone cricket in the tall grass, a deceiver is among us.
Winding around the heavily flowered stems of goldenrod, peeking from the bright stalks as I walk past, Locust Borer beetles. Their inch-long slender black and yellow striped bodies more like those of yellow jackets than the harmless (to humans) beetles they are. Drawn to visit these flowers of fall as adults, the larva feed, tunneling within the branches of Black Locust, a common tree to fill disturbed areas of the Midwest.
Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacaciaspring blossoms
Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniaeAs if they were one and the same.
Yet, deceivers.
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16 comments:
What an intersting bug. I have never noticed one of these around here. We have a locust tree in our garden. I will have to look around to see if there are any of these beetles around here.
I found some exactly a year ago, in the goldenrod patch, as yesterday.
I'm sure our trees supply them well, and our field, the adults! It was absolutely FULL of them.
Nina--I never like the sound of a tree borer--do these do long term harm to the trees?
And, are they native beetles, or some exotic imports?
Donna--Apparently they can do damage to the trees, though these locusts sprout in the middle of the lawn if we're not diligent mowers. And the trees are difficult to keep in their place, determinedly coming back, even after harshly cut down!
From what I've read, the borer IS a native insect to North America.
So, maybe they're a "good" thing after all?
But they're so pretty.
Cool and informative post! I will watch for these guys on the goldenrod.
Ah, goldenrod. It is almost time for my annual sinus infection.
[had considered a comment and then read the scienceguy...
and spewed coffee all over the keyboard...
One of the best things about your blog is that it reminds us to take a closer look at things. Loved the pictures.
amazing photos. maybe we all need to take a closer look at the world around us.
I have never seen a bug that looks like that,before.Very interesting.
That bug looks beautiful on that flower.
You have shown us a very interesting set of photos to tell the story of the locust! Good post.
You have shown us a very interesting set of photos to tell the story of the locust! Good post.
Nice post!
Ooh, I love that beetle! It's amazing how nature uses warning colouration - it's likely that beetle is nasty-tasting or actually poisonous to predators. I don't think it's enough like a yellow jacket to be using mimicry for defence.
We don't see them here in the UK, but he's very pretty! I love beetles.
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