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This is an adult male on a Solidago sp plant. The antennae are about 2/3 body length vs 1/2 body for females. The adults feed on Solidago pollen. These beetles bore tunnels in the trunks of Black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). The tunnels serve as a major entryway for wind borne spores of the Cracked cap polypore (Fulvifomes robiniae), which causes heart rot in the trees and makes them more susceptible to wind damage.

This mating pair of Popillia japonica are wearing matching Istocheta aldrichi eggs. How romantic!

I have noticed steadily lower numbers of this beetle in recent years. Could their decline be due to this rampant heat and fluctuating winter extremes? Is Exomala orientalis outcompeting them? Are their prevalence merely proportionately reflective of the worldwide insect apocalypse currently underway? The first and last of these are essentially two sides of the same coin… and I’m sure all these factors and more play a role.

Polistes fuscatus? Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY. Beside path from Lenape playground to Salt Marsh Nature Center. On Porcelainberry blossoms.
NB: Although all the photos were taken at the same time on the same clump of Porcelainberry I am not certain if all of the wasps are of one species.