Dicerca lepida
LeConte, 1857
embossed hawthorn buprestid
Dicerca lepida, the embossed hawthorn buprestid, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. measure 13.5–17.5 mm in length. Like other members of the Dicerca, it exhibits cryptic coloration that provides effective camouflage against tree bark.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dicerca lepida: /dɪˈsɜrkə ˈlɛpɪdə/
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Identification
are 13.5–17.5 mm long. The can be distinguished from similar Dicerca species by its association with hawthorn (Crataegus) as a plant, as suggested by its . The specific epithet 'lepida' (from Latin, meaning elegant or fine) may refer to its surface sculpturing. Cryptic coloration and sculpturing render adults nearly invisible against bark, despite their metallic appearance in collection settings.
Images
Distribution
Nearctic region; recorded from North America, specifically Ontario, Canada.
Host Associations
- Crataegus - likely inferred from 'embossed hawthorn buprestid'
Similar Taxa
- Dicerca obscuraSimilar size and cryptic habits; distinguished by association with persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) rather than hawthorn
- Dicerca luridaSimilar size, cryptic coloration, and bark-dwelling ; distinguished by preference for hickories (Carya spp.) and other hardwoods