Eucalyptus Borer

Phoracantha

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phoracantha: //ˌfɔrəˈkænθə//

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

Images

Phoracantha semipunctata (2990522835) by Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Phoracantha recurva scale to half NIS by Matankic. Used under a CC0 license.
Phoracantha recurva AMNZ24516 by Auckland War Memorial Museum. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Phoracantha recurva upon Eucalyptus camaldulensis by Matankic. Used under a CC0 license.
<div class="fn"> Phoracantha recurva Newman, 1840</div> by Bain, J. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Phoracantha recurva. Cerambycidae. - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Phoracantha semipunctata, or the Australian Eucalyptus longhorn, is an invasive beetle species affecting Eucalyptus trees worldwide, particularly in stressed conditions.

Physical Characteristics

Typically dark brown & beige in colour, measuring around 2.3 cm long, with a protruding spine at the end.

Identification Tips

Similar to P. recurva, but differs in larger size and more extensive dark markings.

Habitat

Primarily found within Eucalyptus trees, especially stressed ones, and decaying branches.

Distribution

Native to Australia; adventive in North America and other Eucalyptus-growing regions worldwide; first detected in North America in 1984.

Diet

Primarily feeds on pollen and nectar within host trees.

Life Cycle

Four stages: Egg, larval, pupation, and adult.

Reproduction

Females lay approximately 40 eggs below detached bark in stressed host trees; larvae feed on cambium and phloem tissues of the tree.

Predators

Natural predators include braconid parasitoids like Syngaster lepidus and Bracon capitator, and beetles like Trogodendron fasciculatum.

Ecosystem Role

Considered an invasive pest species of Eucalyptus outside Australia; plays a role in the ecological dynamics of its introduced ranges.

Economic Impact

Not regarded as a major pest in its native Australia; becomes a significant pest problem in non-native ecosystems, particularly in regions with stressed Eucalyptus trees.

Evolution

Part of the Cerambycinae subfamily, shares ecological traits with other longhorned beetles.

Similar Taxa

  • P. recurva
  • Coptocercus
  • Allotisis
  • Thoris
  • Epithora
  • Skeletodes
  • Atesta
  • Paratesta
  • Steata
  • Coleocoptus
  • Phytrocaria
  • Semiphoracantha

Tags

  • Eucalyptus
  • invasive species
  • Coleoptera
  • Cerambycidae
  • longhorn beetle