Derobrachus geminatus
LeConte, 1853
palo verde beetle, palo verde root borer, palo verde borer beetle
Derobrachus geminatus is among the largest beetles in North America, reaching up to 70 mm in length. The was taxonomically confused with D. hovorei for over a century, with essentially all literature prior to 2007 using the name geminatus for the wrong species. It is an uncommon species found in the American Southwest and northern Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Derobrachus geminatus: /ˌdɛroʊˈbrɑːkəs ˌdʒɛmɪˈneɪtəs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
This was long confused with Derobrachus hovorei; prior to 2007, most literature used the name geminatus for what is actually D. hovorei, while the true D. geminatus was known as D. forreri. are black or brown with long and spines on the . The large size (up to 70 mm) distinguishes it from most other North American cerambycids.
Images
Distribution
Southern Arizona and Texas south through Sinaloa and Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Similar Taxa
- Derobrachus hovoreiHistorically confused with D. geminatus due to misidentification; prior to 2007, literature used geminatus for this
- Derobrachus forreriJunior synonym of the true D. geminatus; this name was applied to the actual D. geminatus before the 2007 taxonomic clarification