Purpuricenus paraxillaris
MacRae, 2000
White Oak Branch Girdler
Purpuricenus paraxillaris is a large, showy ( ) described by Ted C. MacRae in 2000 from specimens collected in Missouri. It was the first new discovered by the author using fermenting traps. The species closely resembles P. axillaris but is larger and more , with reddish rather than pale orange elytral markings, more developed pronotal with polished , and distinctly elytral . It is attracted to fermenting baits and has been documented across the eastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Purpuricenus paraxillaris: //pɝˌpʊˈrɪsɪnəs ˌpærəksɪˈlɛərɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from the similar P. axillaris by: larger, more body; elytral markings reddish-orange (vs. pale orange in P. axillaris); pronotal callus with polished (absent in P. axillaris); pronotal more acutely angled; elytral with distinctly angles (subtruncate in P. axillaris); and coarser, denser punctation at elytral base. Both have transverse elytral markings covering the basal half of the (vs. triangular markings in P. humeralis).
Habitat
Dry post oak woodlands and dolomite glades; associated with open woodland interfaces where oak occur.
Distribution
Eastern United States; documented from Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Florida. The locality is Victoria Glades Natural Area in Jefferson County, Missouri.
Seasonality
are attracted to fermenting traps primarily during June through September, with peak activity in mid-summer.
Diet
Larval : oak (Quercus) and chestnut (Castanea). do not feed; they are attracted to fermenting for mating purposes.
Host Associations
- Quercus - larval Primary larval development
- Castanea - larval Secondary larval
Life Cycle
develop in living or recently dead oak and chestnut wood. emerge in summer and are attracted to fermenting . The was first discovered through bait trapping rather than direct collection.
Behavior
are strongly attracted to fermenting containing ethanol, molasses, and beer. They are but rarely encountered on trees; most collections come from bait traps. Males and females both attracted to baits.
Ecological Role
Wood-boring whose contribute to in oak-dominated woodland .
Human Relevance
Of interest to and ; one of the more spectacular in eastern North America due to its large size and vivid coloration.
Similar Taxa
- Purpuricenus axillarisSimilar size and coloration, but smaller and more gracile with pale orange (vs. reddish) elytral markings, less developed pronotal without polished , and subtruncate (vs. ) elytral .
- Purpuricenus humeralisSimilar color pattern but distinguished by triangular (vs. transverse) elytral markings and dark area extending forward along to .
- Purpuricenus linsleyiSimilar in size to P. paraxillaris but known only from Texas hill country; elytral marking shape differs.