Sumac Stem Borer
Oberea ocellata
This record describes Oberea ocellata (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Orange head and pronotum (save for pronotal spots), all orange below Syn: Oberea ocellata plagiata Casey - Range: NC, FL - Pronotal spots fused and enlarged: - Cerambycidae of Florida - Michael Thomas Syn: Oberea ocellata plagiata Casey - Lectotype Locality: Southern Pines, Moore Co., North Carolina
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamiinae
- Tribe
- Phytoeciini
- Genus
- Oberea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US, s. ON (MA-s.FL to ND-c.TX) - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed in stems of living Rhus, Malus, Prunus , and other hardwoods Adults often coll'ed on Rhus , including Toxicodendron radicans (= Rhus toxicodendron )
Life History
The female girdles the tip of the plant and lays their eggs just below the girdle. The larvae bore down the stem, through the pith, to the roots. ( 7 ) Overwinters as a larva. Takes 2 years to mature. During the fall of the 2nd year, the larva cuts the plant off near the ground the plugs the stub with a wad of frass. Below this, pupation occurs the following spring. ( 7 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oberea ocellata Haldeman 1847
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Oberea ocellata. 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 Sumac Stem Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Bug Eric , Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess , Fyn Kynd
Frequently Asked Questions About Sumac Stem Borer
What is Sumac Stem Borer?
Sumac Stem Borer (Oberea ocellata) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Sumac Stem Borer?
11-17 mm
How do you identify Sumac Stem Borer?
Orange head and pronotum (save for pronotal spots), all orange below Syn: Oberea ocellata plagiata Casey - Range: NC, FL - Pronotal spots fused and enlarged: - Cerambycidae of Florida - Michael Thomas
Where is Sumac Stem Borer found?
Range: e. US, s. ON (MA-s.FL to ND-c.TX) - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 )
What does Sumac Stem Borer eat?
The diet of the Sumac Stem Borer includes Larvae feed in stems of living Rhus, Malus, Prunus , and other hardwoods Adults often coll'ed on Rhus , including Toxicodendron radicans (= Rhus toxicodendron ).
What is the life cycle of a Sumac Stem Borer?
The female girdles the tip of the plant and lays their eggs just below the girdle. The larvae bore down the stem, through the pith, to the roots. ( 7 ) Overwinters as a larva. Takes 2 years to mature. During the fall of the 2nd year, the larva cuts the plant off near the ground the plugs the stub with a wad of frass. Below this, pupation occurs the following spring. ( 7 )