Explanation of Names
Stenelytrana gigas (LeConte 1873)
gigas = 'giant'
Identification
large, metallic blue-black body with bright orange elytra
Range
NM-TX / ne Mex. -
Map (1)
"from the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Nueces River drainage system running north to south-central or southwestern Oklahoma and extending west to the Davis Mts, Cochise Mts and quite likely into the mountains of southern New Mexico (above 5000 ft)" (Dan Heffern, pers.comm. to =v=, 31.v.2014)
Habitat
"Adults are extremely attracted to sugary baits placed near mature forests of oak, willow or hackberry." (Dan Heffern, pers.comm. to =v=, 31.v.2014)
Season
Apr-Aug in so. TX
(2), May-Jul in north-central TX.
(3)Food
Larvae live primarily in rotten willow wood, either fallen logs or rotting portions of live trees; may also use oak or hackberry.
Remarks
Effective mimic of a Tarantula Hawk wasp. Will occasionally appear at lights as well as bait. Strong, agile flyer, difficult to capture without using bait or lights.
Print References
Hovore F.T. (1983) Taxonomic and biological observations on southwestern Cerambycidae. Coleopterists Bulletin 37(4): 379-387.
(4)
Lingafelter S.W., Horner N.V. (1993) The Cerambycidae of north-central Texas. Coleopterists Bulletin 47(2): 159-191.
(3)
Vogt B.G. (1949) Notes on Cerambycidae from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 25: 137-144, 175-184.
