Conspicuous-crypsis

Guides

• Plectrodera

  cottonwood borer

  Plectrodera is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles (family Cerambycidae) containing the single species Plectrodera scalator, commonly known as the cottonwood borer. The species is among the largest and most visually distinctive cerambycids in North America, recognized by its striking black-and-white checkered pattern formed by dense mats of white setae on a glossy black body. Adults are associated with cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and are found across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, particularly in the Great Plains.

  CerambycidaeLamiinaeMonochaminicottonwood-borermonotypic-genusNorth-AmericaPopulus-deltoidesconspicuous-crypsissetal-pattern

• Plectrodera scalator

  Cottonwood Borer

  Plectrodera scalator, commonly known as the Cottonwood Borer, is a large and striking longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) native to North America. It is the sole species in the genus Plectrodera. Adults are immediately recognizable by their robust body and distinctive checkered pattern of dense white pubescence on a glossy black background. The species is strongly associated with cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and other Populus species, where adults are most frequently encountered. Despite being described as common in the Great Plains, direct observations remain relatively infrequent, possibly due to cryptic behavior against foliage backgrounds.

  CerambycidaeLamiinaeMonochaminilonghorned-beetlewood-borercottonwoodPopulusGreat-Plains-faunasexual-dimorphismconspicuous-crypsissetal-patternnative-pest