Species Insects & ArthropodsSculptured Pine Borer

Sculptured Pine Borer

Acmaeodera pulchella

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Sculptured Pine Borer (Acmaeodera pulchella)

The Sculptured Pine Borer is a small, attractive buprestid with a black body adorned with irregular yellow and white spots, often seen visiting flowers where it feeds on pollen. Despite its flower-visiting habits, larvae develop in dead and dying branches of pine and other conifers. Adults are fast fliers and difficult to approach.

Habitat
Pine and mixed forests, especially at forest edges
Diet
Larvae: dead pine branches. Adults: pollen and flowers
How common
Common

Best time to see a Sculptured Pine Borer

The best time to see a Sculptured Pine Borer is June–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,748 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Sculptured Pine Borer? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Sculptured Pine Borer sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Sculptured Pine Borer? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Sculptured Pine Borer is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

Seven-spotted Ladybug
Seven-spotted Ladybug
Coccinella septempunctata
Sigmoid Prominent
Sigmoid Prominent
Clostera inclusa
Silver Long-jawed Orb Weaver
Silver Long-jawed Orb Weaver
Tetragnatha laboriosa
Silver-bordered Fritillary
Silver-bordered Fritillary
Boloria selene
Silver-spotted Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
Silverfish
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina
Silvery Blue
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
Six-spotted Fishing Spider
Six-spotted Fishing Spider
Dolomedes triton