Acmaeodera cazieri
Knull, 1960
Acmaeodera cazieri is a of metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1960. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it has been collected from flowers of various herbaceous plants and shrubs. The species is associated with desert and semi-arid , particularly in Arizona and adjacent regions. have been observed on yellow-flowered composites, prickly poppy (Argemone), and trailing four o'clock (Allionia incarnata).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acmaeodera cazieri: /ækmiːoʊˈdɛrə ˈkæziːɛri/
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Identification
Acmaeodera cazieri can be distinguished from similar Acmaeodera by its specific elytral coloration and maculation pattern. It is smaller than some such as Acmaeodera gibbula and differs from Acmaeodera solitaria and A. rubronotata in markings. Identification to species level requires examination of specific morphological characters including the arrangement and shape of elytral spots and the overall coloration, which tends toward metallic blue-black with yellow markings.
Habitat
Desert and semi-arid regions including rocky canyons, desert flats, and oak-juniper woodlands. Associated with sandy or gravelly soils in areas with sparse to moderate vegetation cover. Often found in riparian corridors and washes within otherwise arid landscapes.
Distribution
Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico. Specifically documented from the Chiricahua Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, and Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona, as well as desert flats near Portal, Arizona.
Seasonality
active during summer monsoon season, with records from late July through August. Peak activity coincides with flowering of plants following summer rains.
Host Associations
- Acacia greggii - feeding/occurrencebeaten from branches
- Argemone sp. - feeding/occurrencecollected on flowers of prickly poppy
- Allionia incarnata - feeding/occurrencecollected in numbers on flowers of trailing four o'clock
- Mimosa dysocarpa - occurrencebeaten from velvetpod mimosa
- Heterotheca sp. - feeding/occurrencecollected on flowers
- yellow-flowered composites - feeding/occurrencefound on roadside composites including Heliomeris longifolia
Behavior
are and frequently observed on flowers, suggesting nectar or pollen feeding. They are capable of and have been collected by sweeping vegetation, beating branches, and hand-picking from flowers. Adults are attracted to yellow-flowered plants in particular.
Similar Taxa
- Acmaeodera solitariasimilar size and occurrence on yellow composites; differs in elytral maculation pattern
- Acmaeodera rubronotatasympatric and found on similar flowers; distinguished by reddish pronotal markings
- Acmaeodera yuccavorafrequently co-occurs on Allionia incarnata flowers; slightly larger with different spot pattern
- Acmaeodera scalarisfound in same on flowers; differs in elytral and coloration