Tragidion armatum

LeConte, 1858

Tragidion armatum is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. exhibit bright orange and black coloration that mimics tarantula hawk (Pompilidae: Pepsis, Hemipepsis). The breeds in dead flower stalks of Yucca and Agave plants. It was described by LeConte in 1858, with T. armatum brevipenne later synonymized under it.

American insects (1904) (17530045963) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.Tragidion armatum - inat 201000292 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tragidion armatum: /træˈdʒɪdiɒn ɑrˈmeɪtəm/

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Habitat

Xeric lowland desert in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Associated with stands of Yucca and Agave plants.

Distribution

Southwestern United States and Mexico. Specific U.S. states include New Mexico and Texas.

Seasonality

have been collected in June. Activity likely triggered by rainfall events that prompt insect in arid regions.

Host Associations

  • Yucca - breeding sitelarvae develop in dead flower stalks
  • Agave - breeding sitelarvae develop in dead flower stalks

Life Cycle

Larval development occurs in dead flower stalks of Yucca and Agave. emerge from these stalks. Specific details of , larval instars, and pupal stages not documented in available sources.

Behavior

have been observed on yucca flower stalks and in basal rosettes. Mimicry of tarantula hawk (Pompilidae) in coloration and possibly .

Human Relevance

Popular among collectors due to attractive coloration and large size relative to other cerambycids.

Similar Taxa

  • Tragidion densiventreAlso occurs in southwestern U.S. lowland desert , but breeds in dead branches of Prosopis glandulosa and Acacia greggii rather than Yucca/Agave
  • Tragidion deceptumOccurs in more montane of southwestern U.S., breeds in Quercus rather than Yucca/Agave; may be found together at Baccharis sap flows
  • Tragidion agaveAlso breeds in Agave/Yucca but restricted to California and Baja California; T. armatum occurs further east in New Mexico/Texas

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Sources and further reading