Rhopalophora cupricollis
Guérin-Méneville, 1844
Rhopalophora cupricollis is a of longhorn beetle in the tribe Rhopalophorini, described by Guérin-Méneville in 1844. Members of this tribe are characterized by distinctly club-shaped legs and frequently exhibit black bodies with red or coppery pronota. The species is part of a group mimicry complex where multiple related species share a general resemblance to small, flower-visiting .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Rhopalophora cupricollis: //ˌroʊpəˈlɒfərə ˌkjuːprɪˈkɒlɪs//
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Identification
Distinguished from by the coppery or reddish pronotum contrasting with a black body, a trait referenced in the specific epithet "cupricollis" (-necked). The shares the tribe's characteristic (club-shaped) legs. Separation from similar Rhopalophora species requires examination of antennal segment proportions and pronotum shape; R. collaris, for example, differs in relative antennal segment lengths and pronotum .
Distribution
Recorded from Middle America ( Rica, Guatemala) and North America. The Rhopalophora extends northward into the eastern United States, though this particular appears primarily Neotropical in distribution based on available records.
Behavior
Members of the tribe Rhopalophorini are and frequently observed on flowers. The group exhibits apparent of small, flower-visiting , with multiple related sharing black-and-red coloration that presumably reduces risk.
Similar Taxa
- Rhopalophora collarisSimilar black-and-red coloration and flower-visiting ; distinguished by antennal segment proportions and pronotum shape
- Rhopalophora longipesEastern North American with similar general facies; the only U.S. representative of the
- Cosmisoma brulleiAnother Rhopalophorini with black-and-red mimicry coloration; distinguished by prominent antennal tufts of hair
More Details
Taxonomic note
The specific epithet "cupricollis" refers to the -colored pronotum characteristic of this . The was historically placed in Chrysodina by some authors, but modern classification places it in Rhopalophora within the tribe Rhopalophorini.
Mimicry complex
Rhopalophora cupricollis participates in a group mimicry system where multiple Rhopalophorini converge on black-and-red coloration resembling small , presumably as a defensive against .