sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

This is a focus stacked image of my preserved Velvet Longhorned Beetle that my Better Half found for me. Some specimens are better in preserved collection than they are alive in the wild and this is one of them. They are considered to be an invasive pest and as it happens with most invasive species of plants and animals there are no established enemies to naturally control them in the balance of nature.

This beetle preferentially attacks orchard trees but is found on a wide range of forest and landscaping trees. It is also able to develop in very dry wood and could be a pest of structural timbers...and even furniture. This is just one of many pests that are moved to un-infested trees by humans moving firewood much like bringing back fruits and vegetables from foreign countries that we visited on.

Yes, that really happens! Sometimes things that we think are a good idea sometimes go awry and bringing firewood along with you so that you don't have to forage for local deadfall or even buy it there locally can help spread invasive species of various types. So...please help to protect our forests and agriculture. Our future generations will thank us.

(Download)

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Beautiful detail, sharp and great lighting. That's all.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Jeff. Actually the lighting was a new experiment.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Well done, and an important message. Thank you, Sippyjug.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent once again, sippy.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Mark. Although I know very little, I do know that many campgrounds have posted signs warning not to bring in non-local firewood. I suspect that the same goes for those that go to different areas to cut firewood for their homes where unwelcomed hitchhikers can be brought along.

I read a recent article about the devastation that the invasion of Spotted Lanternfly are a severe threat to our woodlands and agriculture. Although they are quite beautiful they destroy some 70 or more different plants (and I thought the bushels of stink bugs I come across were bad here!).

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Kpmac. When looking at its mandibles we can see that they are quite an accomplished chewer.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Spotted lantern flies are not in my area, but I know of places out east where they are found.

The worst of the worst as far as timber damage (that I am aware of) is the emerald ash borer. A tiny but beautiful metallic wood boring beetle about the size of a grain of rice. The larvae kill ash trees by tunneling extensively under the bark, and so in my area (and no doubt yours), we can find dense stands of dead ash trees that are covered with the tiny exit holes of these #$#%$% beetles. Spread in part by people transporting firewood. It can't be stopped.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mark, our world has become ever so small now. Through most of history man traveled very little other than to follow the seasons and herds. Today a person can be in one country in the morning and in another that evening. The worldwide spread of the COVID-19 virus is a glaring example of how connected the world is today.

Mother Nature worked out her plan over millions of years. When one species would become dominant another would evolve to specialize to take advantage of it. She surely is a master chess player and only man can screw up her game....which we continue to do time and time again in the just a few seconds of the universe's evaluation clock.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

Very nice detail. It's a really pretty blue. Too bad it's so destructive.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks for viewing and for the feedback.