Chrysobothrini

Gory & Laporte, 1838

metallic wood-boring beetles

Genus Guides

Chrysobothris(metallic wood-boring beetles)
Knowltonia(Burnleafs)
Sphaerobothris

Chrysobothrini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the Buprestidae, containing at least three and approximately 140 described . The tribe includes the large and economically significant genus Chrysobothris, whose members are primarily wood-borers associated with various tree and shrub . Species in this tribe are characterized by their metallic coloration and cylindrical body form typical of the family. The group has been subject to taxonomic revision, particularly the Chrysobothris femorata , which was recently redefined to recognize numerous cryptic species.

Knowltonia calida by (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by nmoorhatch. Used under a CC-BY license.

Chrysobothrini by no rights reserved, uploaded by Tsssss. Used under a CC0 license.

Chrysobothrini by (c) Andrew Meeds, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysobothrini: //ˌkrɪsoʊboʊˈθraɪnaɪ//

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

Images

Distribution

Members of Chrysobothrini occur across multiple biogeographic regions, with the Chrysobothris particularly diverse in the Nearctic region. The genus Sphaerobothris has been recorded from the Palearctic. Specific distribution data for the tribe as a whole is not comprehensively documented.

Host Associations

Celtis - larval Primary for Chrysobothris caddo
Juniperus - larval for Chrysobothris ignicollis and C. quadrilineata
Quercus - larval for multiple Chrysobothris including C. mescalero, C. quadriimpressa, C. rugosiceps, C. shawnee, and C. viridiceps
Carya - larval for Chrysobothris adelpha and C. viridiceps
Juglans - larval Exclusive for Chrysobothris comanche; also recorded for C. quadriimpressa
Ulmus - larval Recorded larval for Chrysobothris purpureovittata and C. viridiceps
Prunus - larval Recorded larval for Chrysobothris purpureovittata, C. shawnee, and C. sloicola
Prosopis - larval for Chrysobothris octocola
Cercocarpus - larval for Chrysobothris purpureovittata cercocarpi

Ecological Role

Members of this tribe function as primary wood-borers in dead and dying woody plants, contributing to nutrient cycling and forest decomposition processes. Some have become economically significant pests of shade trees, fruit trees, and landscape plantings.

Human Relevance

Several Chrysobothris are important economic pests. Chrysobothris femorata (the flatheaded apple tree borer) and related species in the femorata species group damage shade and fruit trees through larval boring in trunks and branches, potentially killing young trees or weakening mature specimens. The 2007 revision of the femorata species group by Wellso and Manley clarified species boundaries, improving identification and management of these pests.

Similar Taxa

DicerciniAnother tribe within Buprestidae containing wood-boring ; distinguished by different antennal and prosternal characters
PoecilonotiniTribe within Buprestidae with similar metallic appearance; members often have different elytral and associations

More Details

Taxonomic history

The tribe Chrysobothrini was established by Gory and Laporte in 1838. Fisher's 1942 revision of North American Chrysobothrini remained the primary reference for over 60 years, though it is now recognized to have lumped numerous cryptic . The femorata species group was revised in 2007 by Wellso and Manley, doubling the number of recognized species from 7 to 14.

Type genera and included genera

The tribe contains at least three : Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, 1829 (the type genus), Knowltonia Fisher, 1935, and Sphaerobothris Semenov-Tian-Shanskij & Richter, 1934. Chrysobothris is by far the largest and most widely distributed genus.