Yan Bingwu (Chinese, B. 1954) & Yang Wenqing (Chinese, B. 1951) "Elderberry Longhorn" Signed lower right. Watercolor on Silk/Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 33c Elderberry Longhorn Classic Collection Series stamp issued October 1, 1999. Longhorn beetles belong to the Cerambycidae family, and are identified by elongated, cylindrical bodies. A distinctive characteristic of many of these insects is their long antennae, inserted between the eyes and base of the mandible. Many species are brightly colored, like the Elderberry Longhorn -- Desmocerus palliatus -- which displays bright yellow along its back. Because the longhorn beetles' larvae feed on the branches and trunks of dead or dying plants, these insects are destructive to trees and shrubs. Longhorn beetles of the genus Oncideres are notorious for ringing branches -- cutting curved lines in the bark. They bite off the bark piece by piece, sometimes gnawing out a thick layer of wood. The ringed part of the branch dies and the female lays from 3 to 40 eggs, each in its own specially made hole in the bark. The larvae develop inside the dead plant. The Elderberry Longhorn is found among elderberry shrubs, and bores into the plant's root and stem tissue. Also known as elder borers, these insects lay their eggs in the dead wood of these deciduous shrubs. Longhorn beetles of the genus Anoplodera and Desmocerus are often seen on flowers, and typically display yellow, red or black markings. Image Size: 14 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Unframed. (B16510)