Trypophloeus nitidus
Swaine, J.M., 1912
Trypophloeus nitidus is a of bark beetle in the weevil Curculionidae, described by J.M. Swaine in 1912. The Trypophloeus comprises bark beetles that tunnel beneath bark of woody plants. As a member of this genus, T. nitidus is associated with coniferous . The species was synonymized under Phymatodes mojavensis by some authors, but Phymatodes mojavensis was subsequently synonymized under Phymatodes nitidus in a 2010 nomenclatural revision by Swift and Ray, which affects the broader taxonomic context of this species. The species is provisionally accepted in current taxonomic databases.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Trypophloeus nitidus: /trɪˌpɒfˈliːəs ˈnɪtɪdəs/
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Habitat
Associated with coniferous forests and woodland , as typical for bark beetles in the Trypophloeus.
Host Associations
- Pinus - Trypophloeus associated with Pinaceae; specific records for T. nitidus require verification
Ecological Role
As a bark beetle, contributes to nutrient cycling in forest through wood decomposition. May also function as a forest pest under certain conditions.
Similar Taxa
- Phymatodes mojavensisPreviously considered a separate but synonymized under Phymatodes nitidus in Swift & Ray 2010; historical confusion in
- Trypophloeus asperatusCongeneric bark beetle with similar in coniferous
More Details
Taxonomic note
Trypophloeus nitidus was originally described in 1912. The has undergone taxonomic revision, with some transferred to related genera. The 2010 nomenclatural changes in Phymatodes by Swift and Ray clarified that Phymatodes mojavensis is a synonym of Phymatodes nitidus, though this applies to a different genus (Phymatodes vs. Trypophloeus). The relationship between these generic classifications requires further clarification.