Oak sapling borer
Goes tesselatus
This record describes Goes tesselatus (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Scattered spots of pale pubescence on elytra. Very similar to the more southern Goes tumifrons . See Yanega ( 3 ) for details. Lingafelter's (2007) ( 4 ) key couplet on pg. 103 says the mid-elytral suture with brighter white pubescence that remainder of elytron for Goes tesselatus vs. suture without differently colored pubescence from remainder of elytron for Goes tumifrons .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamiinae
- Tribe
- Monochamini
- Genus
- Goes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
deciduous forests
Geographic Range
e. US - Map ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
May-September ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on heartwood of living hardwoods, especially oaks, Quercus spp. ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Life History
Larvae require 3-5 years to mature. During this time they can hollow out the base of a tree, killing it. ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: tesselat (L). 'checkered'
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Goes tesselatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Oak sapling borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak sapling borer
What is Oak sapling borer?
Oak sapling borer (Goes tesselatus) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Oak sapling borer?
20-30 mm
How do you identify Oak sapling borer?
Scattered spots of pale pubescence on elytra. Very similar to the more southern Goes tumifrons . See Yanega ( 3 ) for details. Lingafelter's (2007) ( 4 ) key couplet on pg. 103 says the mid-elytral suture with brighter white pubescence that remainder of elytron for Goes tesselatus vs. suture without differently colored pubescence from remainder of elytron for Goes tumifrons .
Where is Oak sapling borer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous forests |
| Range | e. US - Map ( 5 ) |
What does Oak sapling borer eat?
The diet of the Oak sapling borer includes Larvae feed on heartwood of living hardwoods, especially oaks, Quercus spp. ( 3 ) ( 4 ).
When is Oak sapling borer active?
Oak sapling borer: seasonal activity - May-September ( 3 ) ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Oak sapling borer?
Larvae require 3-5 years to mature. During this time they can hollow out the base of a tree, killing it. ( 6 )