Collops nigriceps
(Say, 1823)
Eastern Coastal Collops
Collops nigriceps is a soft-winged flower beetle ( Melyridae) with a documented preference for flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in the southwestern United States. The has been collected in northeastern New Mexico and has been observed in association with other flower-visiting beetles including cerambycids and cantharids. As a member of the Collops, it likely functions as a in flower-based .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Collops nigriceps: //ˈkɒləps ˌnaɪɡrɪˈsɛps//
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Collops by the combination of black (nigriceps = 'black-headed') and body coloration patterns. Specific diagnostic features for separating C. nigriceps from such as C. vittatus and C. quadrimaculatus require examination of elytral maculation patterns and body proportions. The species can be found in beat and sweep net collections from flowering plants.
Images
Habitat
Open grassland and woodland edge where Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) occurs. Documented from juniper-pine-oak woodland at the edge of Great Plains grasslands, specifically in areas with sandy soils and disturbed conditions that favor plant establishment.
Distribution
United States: documented from northeastern New Mexico (Mills Rim area, Harding County) and likely occurs more broadly in the southwestern U.S. where suitable and plants exist. The epithet 'nigriceps' and 'Eastern Coastal Collops' suggest potential broader eastern or coastal distribution, though specific records are sparse.
Seasonality
active in mid-September in northeastern New Mexico, suggesting late summer to early fall activity period. This timing coincides with peak flowering of Gutierrezia sarothrae in the region.
Host Associations
- Gutierrezia sarothrae - feeding/ siteCollected on flowers; specific feeding role (pollen/nectar consumption vs. ) not explicitly documented
Behavior
aggregate on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae, where they occur alongside other flower-visiting beetles including cerambycids (Crossidius pulchellus), cantharids (Chauliognathus basalis), and tenebrionids (Bothrotes canalicularis).
Ecological Role
Likely functions as a in flower-based , as is characteristic of the Collops. May contribute to of small arthropod pests in grassland .
Human Relevance
Identified as a component of beneficial insect fauna in cotton agroecosystems in Texas, where collops beetles are recognized as natural enemies of cotton pests.
Similar Taxa
- Collops vittatusSimilar soft-winged flower beetle ; distinguished by elytral stripe patterns and potentially or parapatric distribution
- Collops quadrimaculatusSimilar body form and size; requires examination of specific maculation patterns for separation
- Chauliognathus basalisSympatric on Gutierrezia flowers; distinguished by -level characters (Cantharidae vs. Melyridae) and body shape