Coptoborus ricini
(Eggers, 1932) Smith & Cognato, 2021
Coptoborus ricini is a of ambrosia beetle in the weevil Curculionidae, Scolytinae. It was originally described as Xyleborus ricini by Eggers in 1932 and transferred to the Coptoborus by Smith and Cognato in 2021 during their comprehensive revision of the Neotropical genus. As an ambrosia beetle, it cultivates fungal gardens within wood galleries for food. The species is part of a genus containing more than 70 species, many of which are found in Central and South America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Coptoborus ricini: /ˌkɒptəˈbɔːrəs rɪˈsaɪnaɪ/
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Diet
As an ambrosia beetle, Coptoborus ricini cultivates ambrosia fungus within galleries bored into wood. The beetles do not feed directly on wood but rely on the fungal gardens as their sole food source.
Ecological Role
Ambrosia beetles including Coptoborus function as engineers by facilitating fungal decomposition of wood. They create microhabitats that support complex of fungi, mites, and other organisms within their galleries.