Acmaeodera nexa
Fall, 1922
Acmaeodera nexa is a of metallic wood-boring beetle in the Buprestidae, first described by Henry Clinton Fall in 1922. It is one of approximately 150 species in the Acmaeodera in North America, a taxonomically challenging group often referred to as jewel beetles due to their metallic coloration. The species is associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) in western North America, where have been observed and larvae likely develop in dead branches.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acmaeodera nexa: //ˌækmioʊˈdɛrə ˈnɛksə//
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Distribution
North America; specifically recorded from the western United States including California and the Lake Tahoe region of Nevada.
Host Associations
- Cercocarpus ledifolius - associated observed on this ; larvae likely develop in dead branches.
- Cercocarpus - associatedOne of approximately two dozen Buprestidae associated with this plant in North America.
Similar Taxa
- Acmaeodera rubrocupreaBoth are associated exclusively with Cercocarpus and share similar relationships and geographic distribution in western North America.
- Other Acmaeodera speciesThe contains ~150 North American , many with similar metallic coloration and flower-visiting ; precise identification requires examination of subtle morphological characters including prosternal shape and elytral punctation.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
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