Chrysobothris orono

Frost, 1920

Chrysobothris orono is a rarely collected metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae. The was first described by Frost in 1920 and has been recorded from a limited number of localities along the eastern seaboard and around the Great Lakes, with a 2012 discovery in Tennessee confirming its occurrence in that state. are associated with exposed roots and trunks of pine trees, particularly Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) and red pine (Pinus resinosa). The species has a two-year and is not considered an economically important forest pest due to its low levels and minimal damage to trees.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysobothris orono: //ˌkrɪsoʊˈbɒθrɪs ˈoʊroʊnoʊ//

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Identification

Chrysobothris orono is a member of the Chrysobothris, which contains many similar-looking metallic wood-boring beetles. Precise identification requires examination of specific morphological characters not detailed in available sources. The is slightly larger than the commonly encountered C. dentipes, with which it shares on dead pine roots. are described as flighty and alert, running rapidly in short bursts and quick to take when approached.

Habitat

Associated with pine trees, specifically on exposed roots and trunks of Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) growing on high bluff edges, and red pine (Pinus resinosa) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) in Michigan. In Tennessee, specimens have been collected from late May to late July. The Michigan study found emerging from May to July, with oviposition occurring on the southwest side of trees, preferentially on the fifth and sixth from the top.

Distribution

North America. Documented from Manitoba, Ontario (Canada), Vermont, Tennessee, and Michigan. The Tennessee record from South Cumberland State Park (2012) represented a significant range extension and confirmed state occurrence, correcting a dubious earlier record attributed to "Fresno Co., Tennessee." Previously recorded from a handful of states/provinces along the eastern seaboard and around the Great Lakes.

Seasonality

active from May to July. In Tennessee, specimens collected from late May to late July. Michigan study documented adult May through July, with larval in early June.

Diet

Larvae feed on pine tissues: first three instars feed in bark, last two instars feed in xylem. Specific feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

Pinus virginiana - larval confirmed by carcass of individual that died while emerging from ; associated with exposed roots on bluff tops
Pinus resinosa - larval only confirmed larval prior to Tennessee discovery; oviposition on southwest side, fifth and sixth preferred
Pinus banksiana - larval recorded as in Michigan; source of record noted as uncertain in some references

Life Cycle

Two-year with two separate . laid singly. Larval in early June. Larvae excavate in bark, causing pitch to coagulate into large pitch masses. First three instars feed in bark; last two instars feed in xylem. Advanced larvae reach fourth instar by fall of first year. occurs in third and fourth instars. Fifth instar appears spring of second year, bores short L-shaped gallery in xylem, and plugs it with and wood chips to form pupal cell. occurs spring of third year. emerge by chewing through plug and pitch mass.

Behavior

are flighty and alert, running rapidly in short bursts when searching and quick to take when approached. Oviposition occurs preferentially on the southwest side of trees. Larvae create bark that cause pitch to coagulate into large masses, and construct L-shaped galleries in xylem plugged with and wood chips.

Ecological Role

Creates bark and xylem galleries that remain as defects in tree boles after wound healing. Damage is slight and low; not considered an important forest pest.

Human Relevance

Not an economically important pest due to low levels and minimal direct injury to trees. Bark and xylem galleries remain as defects in timber but seldom injure trees directly. Of interest to coleopterists and buprestid due to its rarity and restricted distribution.

Similar Taxa

Chrysobothris dentipesShares on dead pine roots and is found sympatrically; C. orono is slightly larger and much less commonly encountered

More Details

Taxonomic history

A dubious Tennessee record attributed to "Fresno Co., Tennessee" by Knull (1930) was later determined to be erroneous, as no such county exists in Tennessee. The 2012 discovery by Joshua Basham and Nadeer Youssef at South Cumberland State Park confirmed the ' occurrence in Tennessee.

Collection difficulty

The is described as very uncommonly encountered. Collectors have noted that despite intensive searching, only one or two individuals are typically found per visit to known localities.