Beetle - Bellamira scalaris

followup, from Doug Yanega:

"Okay, cancel the alert. From the non-dorsal views, the elytra are definitely identical to Bellamira, a shape that is completely unique among NA lepturines. The problem is that the thorax is not really visibly the right shape, relative to specimens of Bellamira I've seen, and other photos (where the basal crease is generally really obvious). Nonetheless, for the time being, I'd have to conclude that this has to be a female Bellamira (most similar to the one in http://bugguide.net/node/view/558145), and the dustiness of the thorax is obscuring the crease. The photo in the person's hand also shows that it is large, and this is also consistent."

Moved from Bellamira.

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 3:31pm

Moved

Moved from Lepturini.

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 3:30pm

Moved

Moved from Longhorned Beetles.

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 1:44pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Ken Schneider, 9 August, 2011 - 4:37pm

Flower Longhorned Beetle.

Flower longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae), but it has gotten some kind of dust all over it.

… Eric R. Eaton, 20 July, 2011 - 3:08pm

suspect Bellamira scalaris...

...but the dust really gets in the way

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 11:23am

says Doug Yanega:

"This is VERY puzzling - not because of the dust, but because of the elytral apices; in all other respects, this appears to be a Strangalia (not a Leptura, unless the basal pronotal crease has been completely obscured), but the elytral apices are very clearly, unquestionably, rounded, like Bellamira. It cannot be either Strangalia or Leptura, therefore - at least, not any North American species. I literally have no idea what species this is. This is one to get other people involved in, such as Larry Bezark, but make sure they pay attention to the elytral apices. Imports from other countries do happen, and I have a suspicion about this. It would be great if this person kept the specimen, but I'm assuming otherwise."

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 12:34pm

I did not keep this beetle

but I do have some additional photos of it if that might be helpful - just let me know.

… Kerry Yurewicz, 10 August, 2011 - 1:40pm

thanks for adding angles

it becomes clear that the beetle is not dusty... intriguing!

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 3:04pm

please add all you have

to facilitate identification, it is always a good idea to show as much imagery as available: you never know which angle/detail may turn out to be a tie-breaker in tough cases like this one...

… v belov, 10 August, 2011 - 1:44pm