Absolutely beautiful!
A new insect for me and our farm!
This is an Eastern Elderberry Borer
(Desmocerus palliatus)
“Adult elderberry borers feed on leaves and pollen from the flower heads of elderberry, and female beetles lay their eggs near the base of the elderberry plant. Upon hatching, the tiny larvae bore into roots where they feed and develop on nutritious plant tissues. However, elderberry is chemically defended by potent cyanogenic glycosides, toxic compounds that are believed to be passed along from larvae to adults. A taste of these noxious chemicals during an attack may teach a predator that large blue and yellow insects are not to be included on the menu.” - Bug of the Week website
Greene County
East Tennessee
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