Acmaeodera opacula

Acmaeodera opacula can be distinguished from similar species by its specific elytral pattern and coloration. Field identification requires close examination of elytral markings; it is smaller than A. amplicollis and lacks the red pronotal markings of A. rubronotata. It has been observed sympatrically with A. rubronotata, A. amplicollis, and A. maculifera on shared flower hosts, requiring careful observation to separate.

Juniper-oak-pinyon woodland and mesquite-acacia thornscrub. Adults are associated with flowering plants in open, dry habitats with mixed woodland and scrub vegetation. Elevation range includes mid- to high-altitude sites, with observations from approximately 1500-2000m.

Western North America: documented from New Mexico (Eddy County, Doña Ana County, Chaves County) and Arizona (Mojave County). GBIF records indicate presence in the Nearctic region.

Late summer to fall adult activity. Documented observations from September, with peak activity likely occurring during this period.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar of flowering plants. Documented flower hosts include Grindelia nuda (curlycup gumweed), Picradeniopsis absinthifolia (hairyseed bahia), Fallugia paradoxa (Apache plum), and Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed). Larval diet unknown, presumed to be wood-boring in host plants as typical for the genus.

• Grindelia nuda - adult flower hostcurlycup gumweed
• Picradeniopsis absinthifolia - adult flower hosthairyseed bahia
• Fallugia paradoxa - adult flower hostApache plum
• Gutierrezia sarothrae - adult flower hostbroom snakeweed

Larval development presumed to occur in woody host plants, typical for Acmaeodera. Adults emerge in late summer and fall. Specific details of larval host plants and developmental timing are not documented.

Adults are diurnal flower visitors, actively foraging on composite flowers during daylight hours. They have been observed sharing flower hosts with multiple congeners and other beetle families. Nocturnal behavior unknown. Attracted to ultraviolet and visible light in bottle traps.

Adults function as pollinators while foraging for pollen and nectar. As larvae, they likely contribute to wood decomposition in their host plants. Their flower-visiting behavior facilitates interactions with other flower-associated insects including bees, wasps, and other beetles.

Of interest to entomologists and coleopterists as a representative of the diverse Acmaeodera fauna of the southwestern United States. No documented economic or agricultural significance. Occasionally captured in insect traps used for biodiversity surveys.

• Acmaeodera rubronotataSympatric and shares flower hosts; distinguished by red pronotal markings and larger size
• Acmaeodera amplicollisSympatric and shares flower hosts; larger species with different elytral pattern
• Acmaeodera maculiferaSympatric on shared flower hosts; distinguished by elytral maculation pattern

• Buprestidae
• Acmaeodera
• flower visitor
• late season
• southwestern USA
• juniper-oak woodland
• pollinator

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Stenopelmatidae | Beetles In The Bush