Buprestis consularis
Gory, 1841
Buprestis consularis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Ontario and Québec. The was first described by Gory in 1841. have been observed on dead and dying Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine) in pinyon/juniper/oak woodland in northeastern New Mexico. The species has been documented as prey of the predatory Cerceris fumipennis, which has facilitated its detection in areas where it was previously unrecorded.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Buprestis consularis: /buːˈprɛstɪs kˌɒnsəˈlɑːrɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Buprestis consularis belongs to the large Buprestis, which contains many similar-looking metallic wood-boring beetles. Accurate identification to level typically requires examination of morphological details including pronotal and elytral , coloration patterns, and genitalia. The species may be confused with B. laeviventris; one collector noted uncertainty in distinguishing between these two species in the field. Specimens should be compared with verified material or identified by a in Buprestidae.
Habitat
Pinyon/juniper/oak woodland. have been observed on standing, recently-dead Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine) and on living trees of the same . The species occurs in association with dead or dying coniferous trees in arid woodland environments.
Distribution
North America. United States: recorded from northeastern New Mexico (Kiowa National Grassland, Harding County) and North Carolina (three counties). Canada: Ontario and Québec. The appears to be sporadically distributed and has been detected in new localities through biosurveillance programs targeting the predatory Cerceris fumipennis.
Seasonality
activity has been recorded in late June. In North Carolina, specimens were collected by Cerceris fumipennis from late May through early July.
Host Associations
- Pinus edulis - association observed on dead and dying trees; likely larval for wood-boring larvae
Behavior
have been observed running along tree trunks and taking when disturbed. Multiple individuals may visit the same dead tree trunk over the course of a day. The is preyed upon by the solitary hunting Cerceris fumipennis, which paralyzes adult beetles and transports them to underground nests as food for their larvae.
Ecological Role
As a wood-boring , larvae likely contribute to decomposition of dead and dying coniferous trees in pinyon/juniper woodland . serve as prey for predatory . The is part of the guild of buprestid beetles that colonize stressed or recently dead Pinus edulis.
Human Relevance
The has been documented through the WaspWatchers citizen science program, which uses Cerceris fumipennis nests to detect buprestid beetles including emerald ash borer. This biosurveillance method has resulted in new state records for B. consularis and other species. The species is not known to be economically significant.
Similar Taxa
- Buprestis laeviventrisField identification between these two is difficult; one collector expressed uncertainty in distinguishing them in the field in northeastern New Mexico
- Buprestis pinyoniShares similar (Pinus edulis) and general appearance; B. pinyoni was described more recently and has a more restricted known range
More Details
Detection method
Multiple specimens of B. consularis were collected from three North Carolina counties where the had never been previously recorded, detected through the WaspWatchers biosurveillance program that surveys prey of Cerceris fumipennis . This demonstrates the value of biosurveillance using native for detecting rare or previously unrecorded buprestid species.