Stenelytrana gigas

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Stenelytrana gigas: //stɛn.ɛˈlɪt.rə.nə ˈɡiː.ɡɑs//

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Summary

Stenelytrana gigas is a species of flower longhorn beetle found in North America, notable for its vibrant coloration and attraction to sugary baits.

Physical Characteristics

Large, metallic blue-black body with bright orange elytra.

Identification Tips

Effective mimic of a Tarantula Hawk wasp; recognizable by its coloration and size.

Habitat

Mature forests of oak, willow, or hackberry.

Distribution

From the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Nueces River drainage system running north to south-central or southwestern Oklahoma and extending west to the Davis Mountains and Cochise Mountains, potentially into the mountains of southern New Mexico (above 5000 ft).

Diet

Adults are attracted to sugary baits; larvae live primarily in rotten willow wood, but may also use oak or hackberry.

Life Cycle

Adults are prevalent from April to August in southern Texas, and May to July in north-central Texas. Larvae develop in decaying wood of certain trees.

Collecting Methods

  • Using sugary baits
  • Light traps

Misconceptions

Due to its appearance, it may be mistakenly identified as a wasp.

Tags

  • Stenelytrana gigas
  • Cerambycidae
  • flower longhorn beetle
  • North America
  • coleoptera