Flower Longhorn
Cyphonotida rostrata
Observed in Madera Canyon, Sta. Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA. 10 Sept 2010. On flowers of White Honeysuckle.
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Many, many species of Cerambycidae are found in Arizona. A large sub-group are known as flower longhorns, Lepturinae. The best place to find them is on flowers where they feed on pollen or the petals. Most are about 1 to 2cm long with hardened, elongated elytra (first pair of wings). The head and pronotum are distinctly narrowed anteriorily. This species is brilliant red and glossy black and may be a mimic of toxic net-winged beetles. The immature stage is a wood-boring grub to be found inside the stems of various plants.