Whats With The Bug?
Justifiably the coolest insect around, the bug is known as the Tar Sand Beetle to locals in Ft McMurray, but to entomologists it’s known as the White-spotted Sawyer. Part of the Long-horned Beetle family, they’re thought to be attracted to the oil sands because of a chemical compound that is released when bitumen is exposed. One theory to explain the attraction is that this compound resembles a chemical released from damaged trees – their natural food source. While the Tar Sand Beetle is quite large for an insect, it is practically harmless. It flies slowly and has its own signature sound that lets you know it’s nearby. However, like most creatures, if it feels threatened it will take a bite out of you.
