Mycterus
Clairville, 1798
palm and flower beetles
Species Guides
5Mycterus is a of beetles in the Mycteridae, commonly referred to as palm and flower beetles. The genus contains approximately seven described distributed in North America. Species in this genus are associated with palms and flowers, though specific ecological relationships remain incompletely documented. The genus was established by Clairville in 1798.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mycterus: /ˈmɪktɛrəs/
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Identification
Members of Mycterus can be distinguished from related in Mycteridae by a combination of characters including body shape and antennal structure. Mycterus curculioides exhibits an elongated, somewhat weevil-like rostrum, a trait reflected in its epithet. Species vary in coloration from uniform brown (M. concolor) to mottled or marbled patterns (M. marmoratus). The genus is characterized within Mycteridae by features of the pronotum and elytral structure.
Images
Habitat
in this are associated with palms and flowering plants. Specific microhabitat preferences vary by species but generally include tropical and subtropical environments where plants occur.
Distribution
North America, with records from the southeastern United States. Distribution extends into regions supporting palm .
Host Associations
- palms - associated with 'palm and flower beetles' reflects documented association
- flowers - associated with indicates association with flowering plants
Similar Taxa
- other Mycteridae generadistinguished by body proportions, antennal club structure, and degree of rostral elongation
More Details
Taxonomic history
The Mycterus was established by Clairville in 1798. Several were described by prominent 19th-century coleopterists including Fabricius (1781, 1787), LeConte (1853), Haldeman (1843), and Horn (1874, 1879). More recent descriptions include M. marmoratus (Pollock, 1993) and M. youngi (Pollock, 2012).