Locust Borer vs Bee Stylops

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Locust Borer Bee Stylops
Scientific Name Megacyllene robiniae Stylops pacificus
Order Coleoptera Strepsiptera
Family Cerambycidae Stylopidae
Size 14-22 mm 2.0-3.5 mm (males)
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Parasites
Regions Eastern and Central North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Locust Borer

A striking yellow-and-black wasp mimic that attacks black locust trees in North America. Adults appear in autumn and are commonly found on goldenrod flowers. Larval boring weakens locust trunks and can cause breakage.

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Did You Know?

Adults synchronize their emergence with goldenrod bloom, making autumn fields their primary mating arenas.

Bee Stylops

A strepsipteran parasite of Andrena bees in western North America. Males emerge as tiny winged adults that live for only a few hours.

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Did You Know?

Male strepsipterans have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect, often living less than five hours.