This is a Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocercus velutinus), notice its colors of deep maple syrup/reddish brown and yellow, and its pattern in that yellow.
Two days ago I did a blog post on the Long-horned Beetle (Typocerus zebra). Since then I’ve seen another Longhorn Beetle that looks quite similar. And to add to my befuddlement I see that these Beetles are in a family called Cerambycidae which has more than 35,000 species which are described. So, as you’re out looking at Longhorn Beetles, and looking them up as I do, keep that scientific name in mind. Things get confusing even with that scientific name but even more confusing if you don’t have it. If you’d like to go back to that post you can find it at: brendaclem.com/one-of-the-longhorn-beetles/.
Here, another picture of the Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocercus velutinus). Its larvae feed on dead and decaying oaks and hickories. A beneficial species helping to return nutrients from those trees back to the forest floor. The adults eat pollen and nectar.
I’m hoping that as you read my ramblings you are taking a closer look at the things of nature around you.
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