Hickory Borer
Megacyllene caryae
This record describes Megacyllene caryae (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
elytral bands typically narrow and alternating white & yellow ; metepisternum with white or yellow pubescence divided at middle comes to lights
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cerambycinae
- Tribe
- Clytini
- Genus
- Megacyllene
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e.US (MA‒GA to WI‒KS‒TX) & ON; n.Mexico
Seasonal Activity
mainly Mar‒May but also Sep‒Nov in TX ( 5 ) (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae in newly dead hickory, and sometimes other hardwoods : Cercis canadensis, Gleditschia triacanthos (Caesalpiniaceae); Celtis (Cannabaceae); Quercus (Fagaceae); Carya, Juglans (Juglandaceae); Prosopis juliflora (Mimosaceae); Maclura pomifera, Morus rubra (Moraceae); Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae); Prunus (Rosaceae); Ulmus (Ulmaceae); Vitis (Vitaceae)
Life History
univoltine; adults emerge in spring to lay eggs beneath bark scales on logs cut the previous winter; larvae feed for several weeks then bore into the sapwood and later the heartwood, and pupate in the fall at the end of larval mine behind a wad of fibrous frass; overwinter as pupae ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megacyllene caryae (Gahan 1908)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Megacyllene caryae. 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 Hickory Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Hickory Borer
What is Hickory Borer?
Hickory Borer (Megacyllene caryae) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Hickory Borer?
10‒20 mm
How do you identify Hickory Borer?
elytral bands typically narrow and alternating white & yellow ; metepisternum with white or yellow pubescence divided at middle
Where is Hickory Borer found?
Range: e.US (MA‒GA to WI‒KS‒TX) & ON; n.Mexico
What does Hickory Borer eat?
The diet of the Hickory Borer includes larvae in newly dead hickory, and sometimes other hardwoods : Cercis canadensis, Gleditschia triacanthos (Caesalpiniaceae); Celtis (Cannabaceae); Quercus (Fagaceae); Carya, Juglans (Juglandaceae); Prosopis juliflora (Mimosaceae); Maclura pomifera, Morus rubra (Moraceae); Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae); Prunus (Rosaceae); Ulmus (Ulmaceae); Vitis (Vitaceae).
When is Hickory Borer active?
Hickory Borer: seasonal activity - mainly Mar‒May but also Sep‒Nov in TX ( 5 ) (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Hickory Borer?
univoltine; adults emerge in spring to lay eggs beneath bark scales on logs cut the previous winter; larvae feed for several weeks then bore into the sapwood and later the heartwood, and pupate in the fall at the end of larval mine behind a wad of fibrous frass; overwinter as pupae ( 6 )