Subject: Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae

Location: Seneca Rocks, West Virginia (above) and Upshur County (below)

Stock Number: 06-30042 (above) and 04-5470 (below)

Comments: The name Locust Borer refers to the larvae's habit of feeding within the heartwood of Black Locust.

For adults, the food plant usually is one of the species of goldenrod, and that is where the great majority of adults are found in late summer and early fall. The photo below shows a Locust Borer on this favorite food plant.

The beetle pictured above, though, together with several others of its kind, were perfectly happy to visit mint flowers instead.