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My apricot tree is infested with black and white beetles on the branches. They are 2-3 cm / 1 inch long. I can't find an identification on the web. There is no visible damage to the tree. Is this beetle a pest? Should I be removing them?

My location is the Mediterranean / Middle East.

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    Are there any signs of damage to the tree? *what state are u in? Try this link if nothing materializes here: bugguide.net/node/view/6/bgimage
    – Dale
    Jul 5, 2011 at 20:30
  • Thanks - I updated the question with the relevant data you asked about. The link is for N. American bugs, so I couldn't find my friend there.
    – Jonathan
    Jul 6, 2011 at 13:58
  • For those interested, this tree died in 2014 from this infestation.
    – Jonathan
    Jan 13, 2015 at 11:24
  • What camera did you take these pictures with?
    – user11115
    May 29, 2015 at 22:36
  • @Lanka Sony DSC-H3. Why do you ask?
    – Jonathan
    May 31, 2015 at 4:06

2 Answers 2

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That is a Capnodis tenebrionis (L.). - Peach Flatheaded Rootborer.

They seem to be fairly problematic, and HIGHLY UNWANTED. They are very destructive to the plant.

Larvae and adults damage saplings and young stone-fruit cultures. Adults devour cortex, leafstalks, and fruit buds. Orchard bushes lose their leaves after C. tenebrionis mass abundance. Economic significance is greater in southern arid regions, especially in Eastern Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Irrigation of orchards during oviposition period is one of the pest control measures because it destroys most eggs.

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  • Are you sure that this is the species? It is entirely black, whereas the one in the photos is black and white; of course, it may change color at different stages in its development..
    – Mancuniensis
    Jul 6, 2011 at 15:17
  • "black, sometimes with bronze shine". Pretty certain that is what it is. Everything seems to match with your situation.
    – Seanland
    Jul 6, 2011 at 15:31
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    I checked it out and that's definitely Capnodis.
    – Jonathan
    Jul 13, 2011 at 16:58
  • Good Luck! hope it all goes well.
    – Seanland
    Jul 14, 2011 at 1:45
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Capnodis sexmaculata (Coleoptera; Buprestidae). In Balochistan, Pakistan it is a pest of Apricot and Almond

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