Sugar Maple Borer
Glycobius speciosus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea
- Family: Cerambycidae
- Subfamily: Cerambycinae
- Tribe: Clytini
- Genus: Glycobius
- Species: speciosus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Glycobius speciosus: /ɡlaɪˈkoʊbiˌəs spəˈsaɪoʊsəs/
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Summary
Glycobius speciosus, commonly known as the sugar maple borer, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae, specifically feeding on sugar maple. It has been recognized for its unique life cycle and ecological niche but has become rare, particularly in the Midwest due to extirpation from much of that area.
Physical Characteristics
23‒27 mm in length.
Identification Tips
Mimics Vespula wasps; look for larvae feeding under bark.
Habitat
Deciduous forests.
Distribution
Extirpated from much of the Midwest.
Diet
Larvae feed on the wood of sugar maple (Acer saccharum).
Life Cycle
Takes 2 years; larvae mine under the bark and pupate at the end of the tunnel before exiting.
Reproduction
Eggs are laid in bark crevices, under bark scales, or around wounds from July to August.
Predators
Unknown; mimics Vespula wasps which may serve as a deterrent to potential predators.
Conservation Status
Rare; extirpated from much of its range in the Midwest.
Ecosystem Role
Herbivore; influences the health of sugar maple trees.
Economic Impact
Potentially negative impact on sugar maple trees, important for syrup production and lumber.
Collecting Methods
- Light traps
- Hand collecting from host trees
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Alcohol preservation
Evolution
Only species in the genus Glycobius, closely related to other beetles in the Cerambycidae family.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often mistaken for wasps due to mimicry.
Tags
- beetle
- cerambycidae
- Glycobius
- sugar maple borer