Diet

• Adults: Adults are associated with woody vegetation, although the specific feeding habits of T. oculatus are not well documented.

• Larvae: Like other Tylosis, the larvae are believed to develop as wood borers in branches or stems of woody plants.

Range

• It occurs in Mexico and the southern United States. Mexican records include Durango, Michoacán, Puebla and Veracruz, while its U.S. range includes Texas.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua. Its occurrence in the Mexican tropical dry-forest region makes it a plausible local species, although it is not one of the longhorn beetles most frequently encountered.

Habitat

• Associated with tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub and areas containing woody vegetation.

• Adults may be encountered on tree trunks, branches and foliage, where their markings can provide camouflage.

• Around Zihua, examine woody vegetation and recently dead or weakened branches, particularly during the warmer and wetter months.

• Adults may also be attracted to lights at night, which can be useful for finding otherwise inconspicuous cerambycids.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in).

• Body elongated and fairly robust, with long antennae characteristic of longhorn beetles.

• The species has contrasting dark and pale markings, including conspicuous rounded markings that contribute to its common name, Oculated Tylo-Bycid.

• The overall pattern can make the beetle resemble a small, bark-associated beetle rather than a brightly coloured flower visitor.