Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Beetles, woodborers
Question:	I have been a big bug lover all of my life. I recognize a lot of the insects that I come across and I actively look for interesting bugs when I am in other parts of the country (I live in Seguin, Texas, east of San Antonio). The other day, the most wicked looking bug I have ever seen came flying right at me. I kept it in a jar for a couple of days just because it was so neat and then let it go. Since then I have been trying to identify it but haven't had any luck. I was hoping you would be able to help me. I did not take a picture of it (believe me, I will for sure if I ever see another one!) but I will try to describe it. It was narrow (not thin) and about 2-inches long. It was a bright, metallic green like a scarab beetle but even shinier. The legs were orange and it was black underneath. The antennae were black and curved and very long, about 1-1/2". It flew like a wasp but did not have a wasp-like body, more like a large, long horsefly. It was flying around a small tree (I don't know what kind) that is currently in bloom and literally hums with the sound of bees and other insects in it. I have lived in this area almost all my life and have never seen this species of bug around here before, or anything similar to it. If you could identify it or tell me where I might find a good source of information that might have it, I would really appreciate it. I have looked all over the Web and in a couple of insect field guides with no luck. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Answer:	It sounds like one of the longhorned woodborers. Some of these beetles can be really gaudy and large. Your beetle may be Plinthocoelium suaveolens.
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/imagegallery/
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg148.html
Image Link: **
Response by:	John A. Jackman, Ph.D.
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
** Most of the Related Links above also contain images.

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