Orthosoma

Audinet-Serville, 1832

brown prionid

Species Guides

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Orthosoma is a of longhorned beetles ( Cerambycidae) containing the single Orthosoma brunneum, commonly known as the brown prionid. The genus is classified in the Prioninae and tribe Prionini. are attracted to lights and have been documented in fermenting traps. The genus name Orthosoma was previously used for a microsporidian genus, which has since been renamed Orthosomella due to this preoccupation.

Orthosoma by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.Orthosoma brunneum by no rights reserved, uploaded by kcthetc1. Used under a CC0 license.Book of monsters (Page 130) BHL4428222 by Fairchild, David; Fairchild, Marian Hubbard (Bell). Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Orthosoma: //ɔːrˈθoʊsə.mə//

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Identification

The single Orthosoma brunneum can be distinguished from related prionine beetles by the presence of several spikes on the pronotum, a characteristic feature of the . Males lack the hypersegmented, modifications seen in males of the genus Prionus. The species is not attracted to prionic acid lures, unlike Prionus species.

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Habitat

have been observed at ultraviolet lights in pine-oak-hickory forests. Larvae inhabit decaying logs, where they exhibit behavioral responses to carbon dioxide concentrations.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America.

Seasonality

are active during July and August, with peak activity in summer months.

Diet

Larvae feed in decaying wood of logs.

Life Cycle

Larval development occurs within decaying logs. Larvae congregate in areas with elevated carbon dioxide concentrations (30–50% CO2) during feeding stages; when feeding ceases, they no longer show this selective . emerge in summer.

Behavior

are and attracted to ultraviolet lights. Unmated females are found more frequently in areas with decaying wood or elevated CO2 concentrations. Mated females oviposit preferentially in locations with the highest available CO2 concentrations, suggesting carbon dioxide plays a role in oviposition site selection. Males do not exhibit behavioral responses to CO2.

Ecological Role

Larvae contribute to wood decomposition in forest .

Human Relevance

occasionally come to lights at residences. The has been documented in fermenting trap surveys for Cerambycidae.

Similar Taxa

  • PrionusBoth are in Prioninae, but Prionus males have hypersegmented, adapted for detecting , and Prionus are attracted to prionic acid lures, whereas Orthosoma brunneum is not.

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