I don’t mean a big person that is boring.
This Gigantic beetle was scurrying across the Lodge veranda last night and I swear it cast a Huge shadow. Well, maybe just a shadow on my soul. (Green flakes drop from the Lodge roof during heavy rain.)
Mike actually picked it up. Then before releasing it to vegetation he showed it to curious visitors.
Upon getting home I looked it up in my Kaufman Insect Guide and this is what it had to say: The ponderous borer, “Ergates spiculatus, bores in Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. The life cycle takes several years. Mature larvae may reach almost 3 inches (70 mm), and the gnawing action of their jaws inspired the invention of the chain saw.” Mike really laughed at the chain saw part.
Also known as a pine sawyer beetle, they eat grubs found in ponderosa pines, of which we have many.
To see other weird and scary bugs from Arizona visit Las Aventuras at http://gardeningandthespanishway-rohrerbot.blogspot.com/2012/07/alien-bugs.html.
OMG. I would be afraid to touch it 🙂 But makes me curious about having a look at that insect guide.
Oh my gosh, he picked it up!!!! That is one brave man! The bugs this year are out of this world. I’ve seen this one up north around my Aunt and Uncles place….it’s cool to look at but I still get the heebie jeebies at first glance:)
Last night during our beautiful rains, we had several of those Palo Verde beetles flying all over the place. Gross!!:) Hope you get some rain tonight…enjoy this weather:) I am trying to get lightening shots but it’s been too gentle around here:)
But is it dangerous to the trees? Pine borers I thought were disastrous. Maybe a pine sawyer isn’t the same as a pine borer. Guess I shouldn’t be so lazy and should look it up. Looks like he was 3 or 4″ long??
You’ve inspired me to take a picture of a pretty big bug I’ve seen several times here when I am running. Then I can look them both up.
Great blog, we love the north rim and hope to return one of these summers.
We love the north rim and hope to return one of these summers, really enjoy your blog.
Yowzer! That is one huge bug.
The grandkids would have liked to find that one on their nature walk at Ochlockonee River State Park.
Yoiks!! That looks like it could give you nightmares!
For as many things as I like, bugs have been on the bottom of that totem pole. Especially spiders. Although I’m the first to say that they are mighty fascinating in ways. Now if we could just science an invention that would get rid of mosquitos.
Now that’s a big ugly BUGger
I too wonder if they’re dangerous for trees, but if not, bon appetit to him on the grubs.
Love Your Upgrade to full blown Website Status Gaelyn. I hope you are having a wonderful summer season.
That is one big ole ugly bug. I don’t think you could even catch fish with it.
EEK! I am totally a “girl” when it comes to bugs like this. We’ve had some crazy bright green beetles flying all around Tennessee this summer, and those guys aren’t small!
We have so few bugs on the North Rim, but the ones we do see are usually Huge. As long as they don’t bother me, I’m OK.