False long-horned beetle (Stenotrachelus aeneus)

Observation by Eric Alstrom:

Black insect never seen by a Yupiit of Andreafski Tribal member at his home in St. Mary's, AK. Diameter of the wooden pole is about 1.5 inches and the insect flew away.

Comment by LEO Editors:

Hi Eric, Thank you for the observation and the awesome close up photo. Insects are a popular topic on LEO Network and we have attached a few as related posts to your observation. We are copying our friend at the UAF Museum Derek Sikes for his help on an identification. Please note that all of the posts about this these longhorn beetles have occurred in a very localized area, around St. Marys.Three observations going back ten years by three different observers in St. Mary's and Pitkas Point.

Comment by Derek Sikes:

This is a species of false longhorn beetle : https://bugguide.net/node/view/407862/bgpage

Stenotrachelus aeneus

This species has apparently never been recorded that far west in Alaska. I'll make a record for this. See the map here: https://www.gbif.org/species/5750786 The other beetles (related posts) are Monochamus so were correctly identified. This is a native species to the boreal forest of north america and native to Alaska. It might be expanding its range or an accidental find from river drift westward (the larvae live in wood). If more are found keep me posted!