Longhorn Beetle Of Some Variety - Dectes texanus

Moved

… tom murray, 25 January, 2008 - 5:52pm

Soybeans

There was no doubt about it's being perched on soybean leaves. Does that make any difference in this not being a Soybean Stem Borer?

… Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, 25 January, 2008 - 6:22pm

Moved because of

This request by Ted MacRae. With his credentials, I tend to go with his opinions.

… tom murray, 25 January, 2008 - 6:46pm

I Don't Doubt

I'm not doubting his credentials, he would know better than I. I was only trying to stress that this was definitely soy beans it was photographed on. Usually, I don't have a clue of one plant from another, but in this case, I knew for sure - one of the rare times I did and just wanted to note it in case it might make a difference. I know host plants are important in the identification process sometimes, and I wanted to be as accurate as possible. To me, it does look like a Dectes texanus, now that's it's pointed out. I'll remember that if I should see another one. Thanks for all the info, Tom!

… Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, 25 January, 2008 - 10:02pm

On Further Study

On further study, I see that both Dectes texanus and Dectes sayi are called Soybean Stem Borer Beetles. I didn't realize this and that's where my confusion stemmed. (If you'll pardon the expression.) I thought the Dectes sayi was known by that English name and that the Dectes texanus would have another English name. I still have too much to learn and confusing matters like this don't seem to help.

… Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, 25 January, 2008 - 10:10pm

Both species...

...of Dectes have been recorded utilizing soybean, although it is usually D. texanus that reaches economic pest status.

This is one example of why I tend to shy away from using common names.

… Ted C. MacRae, 26 January, 2008 - 2:58pm

This is probably...

...D. texanus rather than sayi, but I can't make out the 2nd antennal segment well enough to say for sure.

… Ted C. MacRae, 21 August, 2007 - 12:38pm

Well. we doubt that there's any problem

with your identification of this beauty as a longhorn, but it does have confusing characteristics. No matter where we search, however, we always end up picking a Dectes, even though those would be smaller than your 9/16 inch. We don't know the ranges of the species, but the second antennal segment looks fairly short to us, so we will suggest D. texanus. Images in the guide here. One from Florida here. Yet others here.

… john and jane balaban, 4 August, 2007 - 6:01pm