Banded Hickory Borer

Description:

The banded hickory borer, Knulliana cincta, is a species of longhorn beetle about 15–30 mm in length occurring throughout the eastern half of North America, including Mexico and the Bahamas, with one subspecies extending to the Sonoran Desert.

Habitat:

They are usually found on hickory trees and oak trees, where they lay their eggs; the larvae bore into the trees, sometimes doing significant damage. This one was photographed in a deciduous forest in Edgefield County, SC.

Notes:

If roughly handled it may start to squeak furiously. There are three subspecies. Knulliana cincta ochracea is found in the southeastern United States.