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Photo#70158
unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator

unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator
Hayward (nearby), Bayfield County, Wisconsin, USA
August 3, 2006
Size: ><40 mm, nose to end
Wisconsin, Aug 2006, midafternoon... possibly chewing on unknown tree (face appears to be covered in tree bark?), also might have laid eggs(?) as rear end was attached to tree for some time. Tree had lots of holes in it. This image was the first one taken of the series.

Images of this individual: tag all
unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator unknown and unusual-looking - Monochamus marmorator

Mochamus? Is it Japanese or Northeastern?
Longhorn Beetle? --- Mochamus? Japanese or Northeastern Sawyer? It was nearly 1 3/4 inches long, and I am not sure if these get that big...

Thanks!

 
MONochamus:-)
It is indeed a species of Monochamus, and a female (males have extre-e-e-emely long antennae). I don't recognize the species, sorry to say.

 
Thanks!
Thank you for taking a look - I'm glad to know that I'm in the right ballpark. It's an interesting puzzle...

 
Monochamus marmorator
from Yanega (1), Monochamus marmorator, "Balsam Fir Sawyer" appears to be the only possibility. Color is the give-away, eventhough it's difficult to determine by, but the patterns also appear to match exactly. Size is listed as 18-29mm, but live, moving beetles always look bigger to me :) Food plant listed as "dead and dying fir, spruce"

another new species for BugGuide!

 
Thank you!
This tree was definitely dying, although still upright. It was full of holes.

The beetle did seem HUGE... easily the length of the last two phalanges of my index finger... that's how I estimated the size I listed above. She moved very little. However, I am willing to hear that I might be overestimating her due to enthusiasm... heh. :) I should have gotten more specific measurements.

Her body was held close to the trunk at first, but when she went into the other (egg-laying?) position, her profile became highly visible.

I am having a difficult time locating online pictures of the balsam fir sawyer. I did find this page - http://www.lesinsectesduquebec.com/insecta/24-coleoptera/monochamus_marmorator.htm
and it had a great picture - the pattern is right, as you say. I think you've nailed it.

Is it possible to add this to the gallery here? How is that decided? And can her species be clearly identified through pictures alone? I didn't want to disturb her, and when I returned the following day, she was gone. I didn't have time to locate the spot where she may have left eggs. (I had to get to the airport.)

I do have other images - some show the pattern a little more. I'll add another one.

Thanks again, Tim - interesting stuff!

 
I see J&JB already added the
I see J&JB already added the new species Guide page and moved your photos. For future reference, here's the "how to move" instructions from BugGuide's Help/Images

How do I move an image from "ID Request" to the guide, to another spot in the guide, or to "Frass"?

First, tag all the images that you want to move to a particular spot. They will appear to the left of the page to remind you what's been tagged. Then browse to the desired spot and you should see a "move tagged images" link. For the guide, be sure to click the "images" tab just like you would to submit an image at that spot.

Currently only Editors can create new guide pages, you can always move your identified photos to the lowest level existing page and contact an editor to create the necessary additional pages. Shots like yours, especial of species new to BugGuide should always be moved into the Guide.

The additional photo you added is the best image yet for ID. And if you re-do that image web search on Monochamus marmorator in a few days, you may even see a familiar photo or two :)

 
Thank you! :)
Thanks, Tim.

I have never known very much about insects or methods of identification. I appreciate the feedback. The subtle variations in pattern between different "family members" is amazing - it's very specific.

I have recently taken up photography, and now I'm all excited to go out there and shoot me some bugs. I'm happy to think that my little bug will be online and of interest. I will DEFINITELY run an image search in a few days. LOL.

And thanks for telling me the protocol on moving images. Good times.

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