locust borer

insect

Also known as: Megacyllene robiniae

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Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

The locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae) is a brownish-black, long-horned beetle with yellow markings. Its larvae bore into the wood of black locust trees. As a type of long-horned beetle, it belongs to a family with many species, some of which are significant pests to timber and ornamental trees. The larvae, often called roundheaded borers, feed within woody plants for an extended period, creating tunnels that can make the tree susceptible to fungal infections. Pests are organisms considered a threat to human interests, and their populations can increase due to environmental changes, including agricultural practices like monoculture.123

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long-horned beetle
Major subfamilies, genera, and species
Another cerambycid is the locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae), which is black with yellow stripes across the body. Female locust borers lay their eggs in black locust trees. After the larvae hatch, they bore into the inner bark of the tree, creating tunnels and leaving the tree susceptible to damaging…
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Another cerambycid is the locust borer (Megacyllene robiniae), which is black with yellow stripes across the body. Female locust borers lay their eggs in black locust trees. After the larvae hatch, they bore into the inner bark of the tree, creating tunnels and leaving the tree susceptible to damaging…
Read More