Agrilus obsoletoguttatus

Gory, 1841

Beech Borer

Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring in the , to North America. It is among the smallest utilized as by the predatory Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.

Agrilus obsoletoguttatus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Agrilus obsoletoguttatus by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agrilus obsoletoguttatus: /ˈæɡrɪləs ˌɒbsəlɛtoʊˈɡʌtætəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Agrilus obsoletoguttatus can be distinguished from similar Agrilus by its small size—among the smallest of the Agrilus species documented as for Cerceris fumipennis in Missouri. The species exhibits the typical Agrilus body plan: elongate, somewhat flattened, with metallic coloration. Specific diagnostic features for field identification are not documented in available sources; precise identification requires examination of elytral punctation patterns and other subtle morphological characters.

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Habitat

Associated with wooded supporting its plants. As a , develop in wood, likely in beech (Fagus) or related hardwoods given its . are active during late spring to early summer, coinciding with the peak activity period of its Cerceris fumipennis.

Distribution

North America. Documented from Missouri in the central United States, with records from New Brunswick and Ontario in Canada. The ' range extends across eastern and central North forests.

Seasonality

activity occurs from late May through early July, with peak abundance in June. This timing aligns with the primary foraging period of Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions nests during this window. numbers decline rapidly in late June to early July, coinciding with seasonal decline in activity generally.

Host Associations

Fagus - larval Inferred from 'Beech Borer'; specific documentation not located in sources

Life Cycle

with , larval, pupal, and stages. are wood-borers, developing in tree phloem and sapwood. Adults emerge in late spring. Detailed parameters are not documented in available sources.

Behavior

are active during daylight hours and have been observed as of Cerceris fumipennis. When captured by , they are paralyzed and transported to underground nests. Wasps may provision nests with multiple individuals of this small —up to 13 documented in a single nest—to ensure adequate food for larval development.

Ecological Role

As a wood-boring , contribute to in forest through decomposition of woody material. serve as for , notably Cerceris fumipennis, forming a documented predator-prey relationship utilized in biosurveillance programs.

Human Relevance

Indirectly relevant through its role in supporting of Cerceris fumipennis, which is used as a biosurveillance tool for detecting pests such as the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Collections of A. obsoletoguttatus from nests have contributed to surveys and faunal documentation.

Similar Taxa

Agrilus quadriguttatusSimilar size range and shared utilization by Cerceris fumipennis; both frequently co-occur in nest caches and require careful examination of elytral markings for separation
Agrilus politusOverlapping and seasonality; distinguished by subtle differences in elytral punctation and coloration
Agrilus pseudofallaxSimilar size and ; co-occurs in some nest collections