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Scientific Name
Megacyllene robiniae
Family
Cerambycidae (longhorned beetles) in the order Coleoptera (beetles)
Description
The locust borer is a longhorned beetle whose larvae tunnel into the trunks of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Their infestations often kill weakened or damaged black locusts. The colorful black and yellow adults are often seen in late summer as they feed on the pollen of goldenrod and other flowers. The black and yellow stripes mimic the color pattern of many stinging insects, which affords this harmless insect some protection from predators.
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The locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae) is a longhorned beetle whose larvae tunnel into the trunks of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Their infestations often kill weakened or damaged black locusts. The colorful black and yellow adults are often seen in late summer as they feed on the pollen of goldenrod and other flowers.
Credit
Donna Brunet
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Similar Species
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.