Acmaeodera davidsoni

Members of the Acmaeodera stigmata group, to which A. davidsoni belongs, are characterized by black bodies with two red apical spots on the elytra. This color pattern distinguishes them from many other Acmaeodera species that typically exhibit metallic green, blue, or copper coloration. Field observations suggest adults are small in size and readily detected by their silhouette in flight when approaching flowers. Confirmation of species identity requires examination of specific morphological characters including pronotal and elytral sculpturing.

Based on field observations in southeastern Arizona, the species occurs in oak/juniper woodland and mesquite/acacia scrub habitats. Adults have been collected from flowering Vachellia constricta (white-thorn acacia), suggesting association with woody legumes in semi-arid environments.

Central America and North America. Specific records include southeastern Arizona (USA), with the species occurring in the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms.

Adult activity has been observed in late July, suggesting summer emergence. In the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona, activity appears to coincide with the onset of monsoon rains and flowering of host plants.

• Vachellia constricta - adult feedingAdults observed on flowers, collected by beating and aerial netting

Adults are diurnal and have been observed flying to flowers of acacia trees. They exhibit rapid, darting flight typical of the genus, making them challenging to capture without aerial nets. When disturbed, they readily take flight rather than dropping to the ground.

• Other Acmaeodera stigmata group speciesShare black body with two red apical spots; require careful examination of pronotal shape, elytral punctation, and genitalia for definitive identification
• Acmaeodera gibbulaOccurs sympatrically in Arizona and shares similar size and flower-visiting behavior, but differs in having metallic coloration rather than black with red spots

• Buprestidae
• jewel beetle
• metallic wood-boring beetle
• Acmaeodera
• Nearctic
• Neotropical
• Arizona
• acacia-associated

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Hymenoptera | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
• Psychidae | Beetles In The Bush