Acmaeodera recticolloides

Westcott, 1971

Acmaeodera recticolloides is a of jewel beetle in the Buprestidae, described by Richard L. Westcott in 1971. It belongs to the large Acmaeodera, which contains over 150 species in North America. The species is placed in the nominate subgenus Acmaeodera (s. str.) within the subtribe Acmaeoderina. Like other members of this genus, it is likely associated with flowers as an , though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is considered rare in collections, with limited occurrence records.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acmaeodera recticolloides: //ˌækmioʊˈdɛrə ˌrɛktɪkəˈlɔɪdiːz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Acmaeodera recticolloides can be distinguished from by its placement within the 'Truncatae' group, characterized by a prosternal margin that is nearly straight and not retracted from the sides. Within this group, it belongs to a cluster of that includes A. recticollis, with which it shares a similar name suggesting possible morphological resemblance. Specific diagnostic characters for this species have not been published in readily accessible sources. Identification to species level in Acmaeodera generally requires comparison with or determined material due to the lack of modern revisionary works and keys for the .

Distribution

Acmaeodera recticolloides is recorded from the Nearctic region, specifically from North America. The was described from material collected in the southwestern United States, though precise type locality details are not provided in the available sources. It is listed among the desiderata of major North American collections, indicating it is genuinely rare rather than merely overlooked. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.

Human Relevance

Acmaeodera recticolloides is sought after by collectors specializing in North American Buprestidae. It appears on desiderata lists of major institutional collections, including the T.C. MacRae Collection, which indicates the is among the more difficult North American Acmaeodera to acquire. The rarity of this species in collections suggests it may be genuinely uncommon in nature, restricted to specific , or both.

Similar Taxa

Acmaeodera recticollisThe specific epithet 'recticolloides' suggests morphological similarity to A. recticollis, following the Latin suffix -oides meaning 'resembling'. Both likely share the straight prosternal margin characteristic of the 'Truncatae' group.
Acmaeodera tubulusBelongs to the same 'Truncatae' group and similar small size class, though A. tubulus is widespread in eastern North America and readily distinguished by its black color with bronzy sheen and paired yellow elytral spots.

More Details

Taxonomic Context

Acmaeodera recticolloides was described by Richard L. Westcott in 1971, a period when several new Acmaeodera were being recognized from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The Acmaeodera remains in need of comprehensive revision, with many species described since the last major revision by George Horn in 1899. This taxonomic uncertainty affects the reliability of identifications and the stability of species concepts for rarer such as A. recticolloides.

Collection Significance

The is explicitly listed among missing in a major North American Buprestidae collection containing over 23,000 specimens representing 1,500+ species. This collection holds 75% of recognized Nearctic Buprestidae species, yet lacks A. recticolloides, underscoring its rarity. The collector notes that remaining missing species include 'truly rare species that I may never find (some are known only by the )'.