near top of rocky basalt hill with very little soil.
Flowering after very heavy rain four days ago ( 83 mm)
I need help to understand if the subspecies is the one I suggested or another. The only resource I have is "Field Guide to Trees of Southern Afirca" by Braam van Wyk and Piet van Wyk, second edition dating back to 2013. I am just a beginner in botanical taxonomy, so I am trying to do my best to identify correctly the species, but I think that many species have changed genus and names through the last 10 years since the publication of this book. For example this species in the book was under the genus "Acacia", with the name of "Acacia tortilis heteracantha", and had also another subspecies named "A. t. spirocarpa". Today the genus seems to be updated to "Vachellia" as it previously was. I would appreciate a lot if anyone with better knowledge than me can correct my observation if it's wrong, but also update me with the history of the taxonomy of this genus. Thank you very much to anyone that can help.
Large longicorn repeatedly appearing at this time of year
PHOTOS & OBSERVATIONS: Dewald Kamffer, Modjadjiskloof.
Published to iNaturalist at his request and with his permission.
Adult longhorn beetles of this species found in citrus trees in home garden. Found in different citrus species & varieties: oranges and lemons and grapefruit and naartjie|tangerine. The beetles cause great damage by feeding on leaves. Larvae or their activity not seen yet; perhaps they do not develop in citrus stems|branches; observations are continuing.
It seems that the adults of this 'bycid emerge after the first good rain, which nowadays at this location falls in November. The adult beetles are common in a pesticide-free home garden, but—despite frequent visits there—are not seen in commercial citrus orchards. Commercial orchards in this region are heavily dosed with chemicals at this time of year.
Body length of adult c. 13–15 mm.