Sculptured Pine Borer
Chalcophora virginiensis
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Buprestoidea
- Family: Buprestidae
- Subfamily: Chrysochroinae
- Tribe: Chrysochroini
- Genus: Chalcophora
- Species: virginiensis
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chalcophora virginiensis: /kælˈkɒfərə vɜːdʒɪˈniːɛnsɪs/
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Summary
Chalcophora virginiensis, known as the Sculptured Pine Borer, is a metallic woodboring beetle found primarily in eastern North America, with distinctive physical characteristics and an ecological role as a wood feeder.
Physical Characteristics
Large flat-headed beetle with a length of 18-30 mm. Head small and broad, with antennae about the length of the thorax. The thorax is broad and rugged with dark coppery elevated parts and lighter, punctured depressed areas. Elytra are colored similarly to the thorax with serrated edges near the anus. The undersides are shiny and coppery with a flesh tint on the sides. Legs have two tibial spurs.
Identification Tips
Look for its distinctive metallic sheen and flattened shape. The broad thorax and small head are also key identification features.
Habitat
Endemic to forested areas, specifically within pine forests in the eastern United States and Canada.
Distribution
Recorded from New Brunswick to Florida and from Saskatchewan to Texas in North America. Specimens have also been reported in Japan and Europe, likely due to accidental introduction.
Diet
Larvae feed on the wood of Pinus species, particularly under bark for multiple years, reducing the tree to sawdust.
Life Cycle
The life cycle lasts two or more years, spending significant time as larvae beneath the bark.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on scars in the bark of living pines or sometimes on downed logs.
Ecosystem Role
As a woodboring beetle, it plays a role in the breakdown of dead wood and thus contributes to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
Economic Impact
Potentially harmful to the forestry industry due to the damage larvae can cause to living trees.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collection from infested trees
- Traps placed near known host trees
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Mounting on pins
Evolution
Some authors have synonymised this species with Chalcophora angulicollis, though recent studies indicate they are distinct species.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often confused with other woodboring beetles, leading to misidentification in pest reports.
Tags
- insect
- beetle
- woodborer
- Chalcophora virginiensis
- Buprestidae