Scobicia

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scobicia: //skoʊˈbɪʃiə//

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Summary

The genus Scobicia, established in 1901, consists of approximately 11 species of horned powder-post beetles known for their wood-boring habits, with notable species distributed across various regions in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Horned powder-post beetles characterized by the presence of prominent horns on their heads and a generally robust body shape.

Identification Tips

Look for horn-like projections on the head and distinctive elongated bodies, typically associated with wood-boring behavior.

Habitat

Scobicia species inhabit various environments where wood is present, such as forests, urban areas with wooden structures, and around dead wood.

Distribution

S. bidentata is known from Ontario and New York to Georgia and Kansas; S. declivis is found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California, while four additional species are distributed in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and California.

Diet

Primarily wood-borers, feeding on the wood of various trees; larvae feed on the hardwoods, creating tunnels.

Life Cycle

The life cycle involves egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, with larvae developing within wood.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in wood, and the larvae emerge to bore into the wood as they develop.

Ecosystem Role

As wood-borers, they play a role in the decomposition of wood and contribute to nutrient cycling in forests.

Economic Impact

Potential pests of wooden structures, causing damage to lumber and wooden artifacts.

Collecting Methods

• Light trapping
• Wood sampling
• Hand collecting from infested wood

Preservation Methods

• Pinning
• Mounting in collection boxes
• Alcohol preservation

Similar Taxa

• Bostrichidae
• Ambrosia beetles
• Other wood-boring beetles

Tags

• beetles
• wood-borers
• Scobicia
• bostrichid beetles