Megacyllene snowi zuniana
(Casey, 1912)
Megacyllene snowi zuniana is a of longhorn beetle in the tribe Clytini. The M. snowi is closely related to the locust borer (M. robiniae) and hickory borer (M. caryae), sharing the ' characteristic banded elytral patterning. of the nominate subspecies M. snowi snowi have been recorded on goldenrod (Solidago) flowers and associated with Robinia plants. This subspecies occurs in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megacyllene snowi zuniana: /ˌmɛɡəˈsɪlɛni ˈsnoʊaɪ zuːˈniːənə/
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Distribution
Recorded from Middle America and North America, specifically Mexico (MX) and the United States (US). The nominate form M. snowi has been documented in Arizona on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains.
Host Associations
- Robinia - larval Based on records for the nominate M. snowi snowi; larval for M. snowi zuniana specifically are not documented
Similar Taxa
- Megacyllene robiniaeSimilar banded elytral pattern; distinguished by seasonality, association, and subtle morphological differences in band width and completeness
- Megacyllene caryaeNearly identical appearance with alternating yellow and white elytral bands; distinguished by spring versus fall activity, reddish legs, and dead hickory wood association
More Details
Taxonomic note
This was described by Casey in 1912. The Megacyllene snowi belongs to a complex of closely related species in the that includes M. robiniae, M. caryae, M. decora, M. angulifera, M. comanchei, M. antennata, and others. Many of these species are distinguished by combinations of elytral band coloration (yellow versus white), band width and completeness, pronotal margin coloration, seasonality, and plant associations.