Agrilus quadriguttatus niveiventris

Horn, 1891

Agrilus quadriguttatus niveiventris is a of jewel beetle in the Buprestidae. It is a small, wood-boring that has been documented as prey of the Cerceris fumipennis. The subspecies is known to occur in North America and has been collected in Missouri. are among the smaller Agrilus utilized by C. fumipennis, with nests often containing multiple individuals to ensure adequate larval food provisioning.

Agrilus quadriguttatus ssp. niveiventris by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agrilus quadriguttatus niveiventris: /ˈæɡrɪləs kwɔːdriːɡʌˈtɑːtəs ˌnɪviˈɛntrɪs/

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Distribution

North America; specifically documented from Missouri, USA.

Seasonality

activity observed from late May through late June to early July, coinciding with peak buprestid activity in Missouri. Activity declines precipitously in late June and early July.

Diet

Larvae are wood-borers; specific plant associations for this are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

Serves as prey for the crabronid Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles for larval development. Multiple individuals of this smaller Agrilus are typically cached per nest to ensure sufficient food for wasp larval development.

Human Relevance

Collected as part of biosurveillance efforts using Cerceris fumipennis to survey for jewel beetles, including detection of emerald ash borer and other Buprestidae.

Similar Taxa

Agrilus quadriguttatus quadriguttatusNominate ; differences in coloration suggested by subspecies epithet niveiventris ('snowy-white belly')
Agrilus obsoletoguttatusSimilar small size and habit of being preyed upon by C. fumipennis; distinguished by elytral maculation patterns and pronotal
Agrilus granulatusOften confused with A. quadriguttatus in collections; distinguished by denser on lower obscuring surface, pronotum with lateral margins strongly sinuate at base, and more abruptly narrowed posteriorly with more acutely rounded tips