Spotted Tree Borer Beetle

Posted by kahunna
June 17, 2009

Discovered this handsome fella in the Buckeye Flats Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park last month.  The spotted tree borer (Synaphaeta guexi) is 11-27mm in body length and is most commonly found  from April to July.

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  • jdf
    I call this the donkey-faced beetle—mine was hanging out in the Sierra Foothills (entrance to the Seq Nat'l Park) as well... http://permanentvacationbug.blogspot.com/2009/0...
  • barbaracabrol
    I found one of these on my front porch in California Sierra Nevada foothills; I believe it had been living in my woodpile. Can anyone tell me if it is harmful to native trees such as oaks, buckeye, and pines or if it is a "composting" type beetle that doesn't kill but rather cleans up and is beneficial to the environment? We caught it and would like to know if we should kill it or set it free. Please assist.
  • Mary
    Thank you for the great photo. I live in western washington and my son found one of these beetles in the woods. I wish I knew more about it.I also took pics of it now I can label them.
  • Great shot of this borer beetle. Reminds me of a replica twig pruner I tied a while back. I wish I had your photos as reference at the time, as the job would have been much easier. Great macro work. You're on my blog roll.

    Here is my twig pruner.

    http://dougsbugblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/twig-p...
  • Moe
    Great photos! What a good-looking bug.
  • Thank you, Moe.
  • Awesome! I so want to see one of these! I lived in Oregon for my first 27 years and never saw one there, either:-( Keep up the great work and fabulous images.
  • Thanks, Eric! I didn't know you were a fellow Oregonian! I was born and raised in Eugene for the first 9 years of my life. I try to make a trip up there every year. Where in Oregon are you from?
  • Nice! I've never encountered this species - I have only a single, crummy specimen in my collection that someone else gave me. The live beetle looks much nicer.
    regards--ted
  • Thanks, Ted. Yes, I was excited to find it hanging out in a sink basin near the camp's restrooms while I was brushing my teeth. It's funny what can be found when you stop looking.
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