Purpuricenus paraxillaris
MacRae, 2000
White Oak Branch Girdler
Purpuricenus paraxillaris is a large, showy longhorned beetle ( Cerambycidae) 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 robust, with reddish rather than pale orange elytral markings, more developed pronotal with polished lines, and distinctly dentate elytral apices. 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 robust body; elytral markings reddish-orange (vs. pale orange in P. axillaris); pronotal callus with polished line (absent in P. axillaris); lateral pronotal more acutely angled; elytral apices with distinctly dentate angles (subtruncate in P. axillaris); and coarser, denser punctation at elytral base. Both have transverse basal elytral markings covering the basal half of the (vs. triangular humeral 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 type 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 baits for mating purposes.
Host Associations
- Quercus - larval Primary larval development
- Castanea - larval Secondary larval
Life Cycle
Larvae develop in living or recently dead oak and chestnut wood. emerge in summer and are attracted to fermenting baits. The was first discovered through trapping rather than direct collection.
Behavior
are strongly attracted to fermenting baits containing ethanol, molasses, and beer. They are but rarely encountered on trees; most collections come from traps. Males and females both attracted to baits.
Ecological Role
Wood-boring whose larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in oak-dominated woodland .
Human Relevance
Of interest to entomologists and coleopterists; one of the more spectacular longhorned beetles 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 lines, and subtruncate (vs. dentate) elytral apices.
- Purpuricenus humeralisSimilar color pattern but distinguished by triangular (vs. transverse) humeral elytral markings and dark area extending forward along to scutellum.
- Purpuricenus linsleyiSimilar in size to P. paraxillaris but known only from Texas hill country; elytral marking shape differs.