Acanthoderini

Thomson, 1860

Genus Guides

3

Acanthoderini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) within the Lamiinae, established by Thomson in 1860. The tribe is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region, with some extending into North America. Members of this tribe exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with such as Acanthoderes, Aegomorphus, Scythropopsis, and Symperasmus. Recent taxonomic revisions have elevated Scythropopsis and Symperasmus to genus rank and resolved numerous synonymies within the group. The tribe includes both cryptically colored species and those with distinctive elytral patterns.

Aegomorphus arizonicus by (c) Hopper Museum, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Hopper Museum. Used under a CC-BY license.Aegomorphus quadrigibbus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Aegomorphus quadrigibbus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acanthoderini: /əˌkænθoʊdəˈrɪnaɪ/

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Identification

Acanthoderini can be distinguished from related lamiine tribes by combinations of characters including pronotal and elytral . Within the tribe, can be separated by features such as the presence and arrangement of pronotal or gibbosities, elytral patterns, and antennal proportions. For example, Acanthoderes typically exhibit prominent pronotal , while Aegomorphus species often have more rounded pronota. Species-level identification frequently relies on elytral coloration and pattern, with some species displaying distinctive -shaped or transverse fasciate markings.

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Distribution

The tribe is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with recorded from Mexico through Central and South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Rica, Paraguay, and Guyana. Some species extend into North America, with Acanthoderes quadrigibba occurring in the eastern United States, particularly in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The distribution of ten species has been expanded through recent taxonomic work.

Similar Taxa

  • AcanthocininiAnother tribe within Lamiinae; Acanthoderini can be distinguished by differences in pronotal structure and elytral patterns, though some were historically confused between these tribes
  • ParmeniniRelated lamiine tribe; Acanthoderini members often differ in having more pronounced pronotal gibbosities and distinct elytral setal patterns

More Details

Taxonomic instability

The of Acanthoderini has undergone significant revision, with the Psapharochrus synonymized under Aegomorphus, and Scythropopsis and Symperasmus elevated from subgeneric to generic status. The name Acanthoderus circumflexus has been proposed as nomen protectum over the older Acanthocinus rusticus.

Notable species

Acanthoderes quadrigibba, the 'four-humped longhorned beetle,' is among the most recognizable North American members of the tribe, characterized by four prominent pronotal and distinctive elytral patterning. Its larvae have been reared from numerous hardwood including Acer, Betula, Carya, Castanea, Celtis, Cercis, Fagus, Ficus, Quercus, Salix, Tilia, and Ulmus.

Sources and further reading