Acmaeodera conoidea

Fall, 1899

Acmaeodera conoidea is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1899. It belongs to the 'tubulus- group' within the , characterized by small size (<8 mm), black coloration with yellow maculations on the , and membership in the 'Truncatae' group (species with prosternal margin nearly straight). The species occurs in the south-central and southwestern United States. Like other members of its species group, it is difficult to identify without comparison to determined specimens due to the lack of modern revisionary work on the genus.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acmaeodera conoidea: /ækˈmiːoʊˌdɛrə koʊˈnɔɪdiə/

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Identification

Difficult to distinguish from other members of the Acmaeodera tubulus- group without comparison to determined specimens. The group includes A. tubulus, A. neglecta, A. carlota, A. ligulata, A. neoneglecta, A. opuntiae, A. parkeri, A. sabinae, A. starrae, and A. thoracata. Identification requires examination of subtle morphological characters not adequately covered in available keys. The species was described in 1899 based on specimens from an unspecified locality, with original descriptions considered inadequate by modern standards.

Appearance

Small , less than 8 mm in length. Black with confused yellow maculations on the . Belongs to the 'Truncatae' group of Acmaeodera, characterized by prosternal margin nearly straight and not retracted from the sides. Within the tubulus- group, lacks a subapical crest on the last segment.

Distribution

South-central and southwestern United States. Precise range boundaries are poorly documented due to identification challenges and limited collecting records.

Similar Taxa

Acmaeodera tubulusNamesake of the tubulus- group; widespread and common across eastern U.S., making it relatively easier to identify than other group members; distinguished by distribution (primarily eastern vs. southwestern for A. conoidea)
Acmaeodera neglectaAnother member of the tubulus- group with similar size, coloration, and elytral maculation pattern; occurs in south-central U.S.
Acmaeodera carlotaMember of same group; distinguished by flattened surface densely clothed with long, stiff, dark, suberect hairs; coarsely contiguously punctate pronotum; and subrugose, slightly irregular elytral intervals

More Details

Taxonomic challenges

The Acmaeodera contains approximately 150 / in North America and is in need of comprehensive revision. A. conoidea was described in Fall's 1899 synopsis, which predates the last major revision of the genus by more than a century. Modern identification is hampered by inadequate original descriptions and lack of suitable keys.

Species group membership

A. conoidea is one of three originally recognized in the tubulus-group at the time of Fall's revision (along with A. neglecta and A. tubulus). Eight additional species have since been described in this group, all limited to the south-central and southwestern U.S.