Sphaenothecus
Dupont, 1838
Sphaenothecus is a of longhorn ( ) in the tribe Trachyderini. The genus was established by Dupont in 1838 and contains seven recognized distributed in North and Central America. Members of this genus are associated with flowering plants in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus is part of the diverse cerambycid fauna of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphaenothecus: //ˌsfɛə.noʊˈθiː.kəs//
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Habitat
Arid and semi-arid regions including desert scrub, thorn-scrub, and grassland . Associated with flowering vegetation in dry environments.
Distribution
North America: southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico. Records indicate presence in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Desert regions.
Seasonality
activity has been observed during summer monsoon season (July–September), coinciding with flowering of plants.
Host Associations
- Acacia rigidula - flower visitorObserved on sweet acacia flowers
- Isocoma tenuisecta - flower visitorCollected on flowers in Arizona and New Mexico
Behavior
have been observed visiting flowers, suggesting nectar-feeding . Mating pairs have been recorded on plants.
Ecological Role
Likely contributes to of desert flowering plants as flower visitors. Larval unknown but presumably associated with typical of .
Similar Taxa
- CrossidiusSimilar flower-visiting in same tribe Trachyderini, often found on same plants; Sphaenothecus distinguished by different body form and coloration patterns
- TrachyderesRelated trachyderine with similar preferences; Sphaenothecus generally smaller with distinct elytral markings
More Details
Species composition
The contains seven : S. argenteus, S. bilineatus, S. facetus, S. maccartyi, S. picticornis, S. toledoi, and S. trilineatus. Several species were described relatively recently (1998) by Chemsak & Noguera.
Taxonomic placement
Sphaenothecus is placed in the subtribe Trachyderina within the tribe Trachyderini, a diverse group of flower-visiting and often brightly colored .