Buprestidae
Guides
Ptosima walshii
Ptosima walshii is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by LeConte in 1863. It belongs to a genus of jewel beetles characterized by their distinctive coloration. The species occurs in North America within the Nearctic realm.
Spectralia cuprescens
Spectralia cuprescens is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described by Knull in 1940. The species is known from North America, with records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Very little is documented about its biology, host associations, or specific habitat preferences beyond its general occurrence in xeric regions.
Spectralia gracilipes
Spectralia gracilipes is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was originally described as Dicerca gracilipes by Melsheimer in 1845. The species occurs in North America, with records from the northeastern United States and Canada. It has been collected from Cerceris fumipennis wasp provisioning sites, indicating it is preyed upon by this crabronid wasp.
Spectralia prosternalis
Spectralia prosternalis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1904. The genus Spectralia comprises small to medium-sized jewel beetles with distinctive coloration. This species is recorded from North America. Members of this genus are typically associated with woody plants, though specific host relationships for S. prosternalis remain undocumented.
Spectralia purpurascens
Spectralia purpurascens is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1905. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature. As with other members of the genus Spectralia, it is presumed to have a wood-boring larval stage, but host associations and other life history traits have not been documented.
Spectralia robusta
Spectralia robusta is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is known from North America, with records from Texas. It develops in living or partially living branches of its host plant, with adults emerging through distinct exit holes. The species has been reared from collected host material rather than observed as free-living adults.
Sphaerobothris
Sphaerobothris is a genus of jewel beetles in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Buprestinae, and tribe Chrysobothrini. The genus was established by Semenov-Tian-Shanskij and Richter in 1934. It contains five described species distributed in North America, with S. ulkei being the most frequently encountered and collected by entomologists. Members of this genus are associated with Ephedra (joint-fir) as host plants.
Sphaerobothris platti
Sphaerobothris platti is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Cazier in 1938. The species is known from southern California, with records from San Diego County, and is part of the genus Sphaerobothris, which belongs to the tribe Coraebini within the subfamily Agrilinae.
Sphaerobothris ulkei
Sphaerobothris ulkei is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is native to arid regions of North America and Central America. It has been documented in association with Ephedra species (joint-fir), particularly Ephedra trifurca in desert habitats of the southwestern United States. The beetle is considered uncommon and requires targeted searching to locate.
Sphenoptera
A large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising over 1,000 described species. Species occupy diverse ecological niches including stem borers, gall formers, and root borers across multiple continents. Several species are economically significant as pests of agricultural crops, forestry trees, and medicinal plants, while others have been investigated for biological control of invasive weeds.
Sphenoptera jugoslavica
bronze knapweed root borer
Sphenoptera jugoslavica is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is monophagous on Centaurea diffusa (diffuse knapweed), forming spindle-shaped root galls in rosettes. The species is univoltine and was introduced to North America as a biological control agent for this invasive weed. Its effectiveness is limited by phenological requirements for arrested plant growth during oviposition.
Strigoptera bimaculata
Strigoptera bimaculata is a tropical jewel beetle (Buprestidae) and the type species of its genus. It belongs to the tribe Polycestini. The species has been documented across Southeast Asia extending to Northern Australia, with a westernmost record from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Available information is limited primarily to taxonomic and distributional data.
Taphrocerus
Taphrocerus is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 190 described species, predominantly distributed across North, Central, and South America. One anomalous species has been described from South Africa. Members are commonly referred to as "sedgie wedgies" among coleopterists due to their frequent association with sedges and related wetland plants. The genus exhibits leaf-mining larval biology, with larvae developing within the leaf tissue of host plants.
Taphrocerus albodistinctus
Taphrocerus albodistinctus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1954. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Taphrocerus, it is likely associated with sedges (Carex spp.) in wetland or moist habitat edges, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented.
Taphrocerus chevrolati
Taphrocerus chevrolati is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with records from New Mexico, Arizona, and Alberta, Canada. Adults are associated with sedges and grasses, though larval host relationships remain unclear. The species was described by Obenberger in 1924.
Taphrocerus cylindricollis
Taphrocerus cylindricollis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Kerremans in 1896. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small, slender buprestids often associated with herbaceous vegetation in wetland and prairie habitats. The species is rarely encountered in collections, with only five observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Taphrocerus gracilis
Taphrocerus gracilis is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species has been studied in Missouri for its host plant associations and life history. Its biology is closely tied to specific plant hosts, with documented relationships to certain monocot species.
Taphrocerus howardi
Taphrocerus howardi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Obenberger in 1934. The species belongs to the genus Taphrocerus, a group of small jewel beetles whose larvae typically develop in herbaceous plants rather than woody hosts. It is found in North America.
Taphrocerus laevicollis
Taphrocerus laevicollis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Taphrocerus, it is commonly referred to as a "sedgie wedgie" due to its association with sedges (Carex species).
Taphrocerus leoni
Taphrocerus leoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Dugès in 1891. The species was historically considered Mexican but has been documented in the United States, with confirmed records from upper Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Adults are associated with sedges and can be collected by sweeping vegetation in riparian areas. The species is distinguished from congeners by its larger size, shiny appearance, and distinct pubescent maculations.
Taphrocerus sulcifrons
Taphrocerus sulcifrons is a small buprestid beetle described by Fisher in 1922. The species belongs to the genus Taphrocerus, a group of minute metallic beetles often associated with sedges and other herbaceous plants in moist habitats. Based on collection records, this species occurs in both Middle America and North America. Field observations indicate adults are active in spring and early summer, with specimens collected by sweeping vegetation near water sources.
Texania fulleri
Texania fulleri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from western Texas. Larvae have been documented developing in the sapwood of dead Celtis laevigata (sugarberry). Adults likely emerge from host wood, though specific adult activity patterns remain poorly documented.
Texania langeri
metallic wood-boring beetle
Texania langeri is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, known for its metallic coloration typical of the tribe Chrysochroini. The species was described by Chevrolat in 1853 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Texania, it is part of the 'classic' jewel beetle group characterized by brilliant, often iridescent coloration.
Thrincopyge alacris
Thrincopyge alacris is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The genus Thrincopyge comprises jewel beetles associated with sotol plants (Dasylirion species), where larvae bore through dried flower stalks and adults wedge themselves in the leaf bases. This species occurs in Central America and North America.
Thrincopygini
Thrincopygini is a tribe of jewel beetles within the subfamily Polycestinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of Buprestidae. The tribe is distinguished by specific morphological features of the male genitalia and antennal structure. Observations suggest moderate diversity with limited documentation in public databases.
Tracheini
Tracheini is a tribe of leaf-mining jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in the subfamily Agrilinae. The tribe comprises primarily two genera: Habroloma and Trachys. These beetles are characterized by their small size and specialized larval habit of mining leaves of woody and herbaceous plants. Adults are typically found on host plant foliage. The tribe has a cosmopolitan distribution with notable diversity in Japan (32 species recorded) and South America. Two new Japanese species, Habroloma elaeocarpusi and H. taxillusi, were described in 2023, expanding known host associations to include Elaeocarpaceae and Loranthaceae.
Trachykele
Trachykele is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing six described species distributed in North America. The genus belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. At least one species, Trachykele blondeli, has been documented developing in red cedar (Thuja plicata) in western North America, with larvae feeding internally in the wood and adults emerging from trees. The genus is part of the diverse metallic woodboring beetle fauna of the Nearctic region.
Trachykele blondeli
western cedar borer, powder worm beetle, western red cedar borer
Trachykele blondeli is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, known by common names including western cedar borer and powder worm beetle. Studies conducted in British Columbia from 1926–1930 documented its biology using caged red cedar trees to track larval development and adult emergence. The species is associated with Thuja plicata (western red cedar) as its primary host.
Trachykele blondeli blondeli
Trachykele blondeli blondeli is a subspecies of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) native to western North America. Studies conducted in the 1920s at Pender Harbour, British Columbia, documented its association with red cedar (Thuja plicata), with larvae developing within the wood of living or recently dead trees. The species is among the few Buprestidae for which detailed life history investigations have been attempted, though much remains unknown about its biology.
Trachykele blondeli cupreomarginata
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Helfer in 1953. Belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. The specific epithet 'cupreomarginata' suggests copper-colored marginal features, though detailed morphological descriptions specific to this subspecies are not readily available in the provided sources.
Trachykele fattigi
Trachykele fattigi is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Knull in 1954. It belongs to the genus Trachykele, which is placed in the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna of North America. Very little specific information about its biology, host associations, or distribution has been published in accessible sources.
Trachykele hartmani
Serpentine Cypress Wood-boring Beetle
Trachykele hartmani is a small jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Burke in 1920. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Trachykele, a group of wood-boring beetles primarily associated with coniferous hosts. The species is known from the Nearctic region of North America. Like other members of the subtribe Trachykelina, it likely develops in the wood of cypress or related Cupressaceae, though specific host records for this species are not well documented. The common name "Serpentine Cypress Wood-boring Beetle" suggests an association with cypress species.
Trachykele lecontei
Trachykele lecontei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, a group commonly known as jewel beetles. The species was described by Gory in 1841 and is native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. Specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and habitat preferences remain poorly documented in available sources.
Trachykele nimbosa
nimbose buprestid
Trachykele nimbosa, known as the nimbose buprestid, is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Fall in 1906. It is distributed in North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. The genus Trachykele belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini.
Trachykele opulenta
Trachykele opulenta is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fall in 1906. It belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna and has been recorded from British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is a metallic wood-boring beetle with larvae that develop in wood.
Trachys
Leaf-mining Jewel Beetles
Trachys is a genus of leaf-mining jewel beetles (Buprestidae: Trachyinae) characterized by their flattened, compact, wedge-shaped adult morphology—an adaptation distinct from the elongate cylindrical form typical of most buprestids. The genus contains approximately 20 species in Japan and is widely distributed from Africa through Asia to Europe. Larvae mine within leaves rather than boring through wood, a habit that has driven their distinctive body plan. Some species are significant forest and agricultural pests, including the introduced Trachys minutus established in Massachusetts and T. yanoi, a serious pest of Zelkova serrata in East Asia.
Trichinorhipis
Trichinorhipis is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) endemic to southern California. The sole species, Trichinorhipis knulli, measures under 4 mm and exhibits distinctive sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess fan-like (flabellate) antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones, while females have unmodified serrate antennae. The genus is placed in its own subtribe (Trichinorphidina) within the tribe Xenorhipidini due to unique morphological characters distinguishing it from related genera Hesperorhipis and Xenorhipis.
Trichinorhipis knulli
Knull's Metallic Wood-boring Beetle
Trichinorhipis knulli is a minute jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) endemic to southern California, where it occurs in Riverside and Imperial Counties. It is the sole member of its monotypic genus, distinguished from related genera by its entire elytra covering the full abdomen and broadly rounded pronotum lacking lateral margins. Males exhibit highly modified flabellate antennae with expanded lamellae bearing numerous olfactory sensillae, an adaptation for detecting female sex pheromones. The species is rarely encountered in the field; most specimens have been reared from dead branches of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). At 3.6 mm, it is among the smallest buprestids.
Trigonogya reticulaticollis
Trigonogya reticulaticollis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Schaeffer in 1904 and is known from the Nearctic region. The species belongs to a small genus of buprestid beetles characterized by triangular body shapes. Available records for this species are extremely limited, with only one documented observation in iNaturalist.
Xenomelanophila
Xenomelanophila is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) established by Sloop in 1937. The sole species, X. miranda, exhibits a highly specialized ecological association with forest fires. Females possess infrared-sensing organs that allow detection of smoldering wood for oviposition, making this genus one of the few known examples of pyrophilic beetles with confirmed thermosensory adaptations.
Xenomelanophila miranda
Xenomelanophila miranda is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854 as Phaenops miranda. The species belongs to a small genus of buprestid beetles and has been recorded from North America and Middle America. Like other members of Buprestidae, adults are characterized by their metallic coloration and elongated, somewhat flattened bodies adapted for living under bark.
Xenorhipidina
Xenorhipidina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) established by Cobos in 1986. It is classified within the tribe Xenorhipidini, which belongs to the subfamily Buprestinae. The subtribe is part of the anthaxioid lineage within the buprestid phylogeny. The genus Hesperorhipis, described by Fall in 1930, is the primary genus assigned to this subtribe.
Xenorhipidini
Xenorhipidini is a small tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 8 described species across three genera. The tribe is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments covered in olfactory sensillae, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This modification, unique among non-monotypic buprestid tribes, is associated with pheromone detection. Members are found in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America and the West Indies.
Xenorhipis
Xenorhipis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) native to the Americas, comprising approximately 15 described species. The genus is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments, while females retain the serrate condition typical of the family. This antennal modification, shared with related genera in the tribe Xenorhipidini, functions in detecting female sex pheromones. Adults are short-lived and rarely encountered in the field.
Xenorhipis hidalgoensis
Xenorhipis hidalgoensis is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure. Males possess highly modified flabellate (comb-like) antennae with expanded distal segments covered in olfactory sensillae, while females retain typical serrate antennae. The species was first described from Hidalgo County, Texas, and is among the least frequently encountered buprestids in North America.
Xenorhipis osborni
Xenorhipis osborni is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Xenorhipidini. It is native to west Texas and adjacent regions of North America. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in antennae, with males possessing highly modified flabellate antennae bearing numerous olfactory sensillae, presumably for detecting female sex pheromones. Larval development occurs in dead branches of acacia species (Fabaceae), particularly black acacia (Vachellia rigidula) and catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii).