Desmocerus palliatus

The Elderberry Borer, Desmocerus palliatus, is a species of Cerambycidae that occurs in Eastern North America.

Elderberry Borer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Suborder:
Polyphaga
Superfamily:
Chrysomeloidea
Family:
Cerambycidae
Subfamily:
Lepturinae
Tribe:
Desmocerini
Genus:
Desmocerus
Species:
D. palliatus
Binomial name
Desmocerus palliatus
Forster (1771)
Synonyms
  • Calopus blandus Fabricius, 1775[1]
  • Cerambyx palliatus Forster, 1771[1]
  • Desmocerus cyaneus (Fabricius) Audinet-Serville, 1834[1]
  • Desmocerus elongatus Bland, 1862[1]
  • Stenocorus cyaneus Fabricius, 1775[1]

Description

The adult is 17 to 26 mm, mostly a shimmering dark blue, and the bases of the elytra are yellow to yellow-red. It is likely a mimic of beetles in the family Lycidae, as is the moth Lycomorpha pholus found in the same area.

Range and habitat

It ranges from Oklahoma, central North America, to parts of the southern Appalachian mountains. They tend to be more abundant in the northern part of its range. They can be seen in swampy areas and near streams that support their host plant.

  • Live specimen of Elderberry Borer
  • mating pair

Life cycle

Eggs are laid near stems or at the base of the plant, the larvae then burrow their way into the stems and eat tunnels into the roots of the living plant. They can be seen between April and August.

Adult food
  • Pollen
Sambucus
Larval food
Sambucus

References
  1. BioLib Taxon profile — species Desmocerus palliatus (Forster, 1771)
  • "Species Desmocerus palliatus - Elderberry Borer - BugGuide.Net". Retrieved 2008-12-25.


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