About Sphenostethus taslei (Buquet, 1841)
Sphenostethus is a genus of beetles in the Cerambycidae, the longhorn beetle family. This genus is monotypic, represented by just one species: Sphenostethus taslei. This species is found throughout the eastern United States, ranging from Pennsylvania to Texas. Craighead noted that its larvae have the unusual habit of boring into dry dead treetop limbs, rather than using damp wood near the ground. This observation was contested by Vlasak & Vlasakova, who recorded that S. taslei larvae are more frequently found in fallen limbs, and do not necessarily prefer treetop branches. The pair also argued against an association with dry branches, instead finding that S. taslei larvae prefer smaller diameter limbs compared to other prionids. Various hardwoods act as larval hosts for this species, including oak, chestnut, redbud, and the frequently used American beech. Craighead remarked that adult individuals of this species are rarely seen, but the larvae are quite common.
