I checked a dead oak trunk where I had seen one of these beetles a few days earlier and discovered a female down about 16 inches from the bottom busy boring an egg hole. I went into the house and grabbed my camera. She did not seem to be bothered by the flash as she worked, although if I put my hand too close she would freeze for a minute or so.

After taking a number of photos, I went back into the house and got a couple males I had planned to release anyway and placed them on the trunk below her. Both of them barreled right past her, showing not the slightest interest. One of the sources I had read said the male will stay close by the female during the boring process, and should the female get her snout stuck in the hole she is boring, he will grab hold and pull to help free her. None of this chivalry was displayed here.