Saw this monster on our west-facing deck. It can fly…a bit. Does anyone know what this is?
(it’s a couple of centimetres long)
Salt Spring Photographer John Cameron
Saw this monster on our west-facing deck. It can fly…a bit. Does anyone know what this is?
(it’s a couple of centimetres long)
I don’t know… maybe some kind of cicada?
I found some wood boring beetle photos that look similar. And that can’t be good…
Looking at my Audubon Society Field Guide the closest I could find was “Divergent Metallic Wood Borer”. Also known as a Flatheaded Cherry tree Borer. Description: 5/8 – 7/8″, cylindrical, pale brown or gray with bronze highlights above, shiny coppery below. It ranges on the west from California, north to Alaska. Adults active May-Aug. The larvae damage coniferous trees and many orchard trees. Adults eat little – eggs are laid on bark. Larvae feed on inner wood and pupate in tunnels close to bark. Check your trees for eggs! This is more than you wanted to know I’m sure!
Thanks Carol, great information. It could easily have fallen or been blown out of a nearby Douglas Fir. Will investigate.
I’ve only seen the one, but that probably doesn’t mean much.
Check out this site and send your photos. They are an amazing resource.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/
Love your photos. ??
Thanks Brenda. Made a submission,
-jc