Buprestidae
Guides
Acmaeoderopsis jaguarina
Acmaeoderopsis jaguarina is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1938. It belongs to the genus Acmaeoderopsis, a group of small to medium-sized jewel beetles. The species is known from the Nearctic region of North America. Like other buprestids, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic metallic coloration and association with woody vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Acmaeoderopsis junki
Acmaeoderopsis junki is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Théry in 1929. The species has been documented from mesquite and acacia habitats in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona, and is also reported from Central America and North America more broadly. It is one of two recognized subspecies in the species complex, with A. j. junki and A. j. peninsularis described.
Acmaeoderopsis paravaripilis
Acmaeoderopsis paravaripilis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Barr in 1972. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized jewel beetles characterized by their metallic coloration. The species is documented from North America, with collection records indicating presence in the southwestern United States. Like other members of Buprestidae, adults are likely associated with woody vegetation and may be collected by beating branches or sweeping flowers.
Acmaeoderopsis westcotti
Acmaeoderopsis westcotti is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Barr in 1972 and belongs to the genus Acmaeoderopsis, a group of small to medium-sized jewel beetles. It occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, specifically in Middle America and North America.
Actenodes
Actenodes is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 100 described species distributed across the Americas, Africa, and Madagascar. The genus includes both widespread species and geographically restricted endemics. Several North American species have been documented as prey of the predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which has been used in biosurveillance programs. Species in this genus are primarily associated with woody vegetation, particularly leguminous trees and shrubs.
Actenodes acornis
Actenodes acornis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada (Ontario). The species has been documented as prey of the crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which collects adult buprestids to provision its nests. It belongs to a genus whose larvae typically develop in dead wood, particularly of leguminous trees.
Actenodes auronotata
Actenodes auronotata is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the genus Actenodes. Species in this genus are wood-borers whose larvae develop in dead branches of various host plants, particularly in the family Fabaceae. The genus Actenodes is distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America, with several species exhibiting subtle morphological differences that require careful examination for proper identification. Some Actenodes species display striking sexually dimorphic facial coloration in males.
Actenodes flexicaulis
Actenodes flexicaulis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1904. It belongs to a genus of jewel beetles distributed across North America. Like other Actenodes species, it is presumed to develop as larvae in dead wood of woody host plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Actenodes mendax
Actenodes mendax is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Horn in 1891. Based on field observations, adults have been collected on Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite) in clay/gypsum mixed-grass prairie habitats in Oklahoma.
Actenodes mimicus
Actenodes mimicus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1964. It is found in North America, with collection records from the southwestern United States including New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the genus Actenodes, it is associated with woody vegetation and has been collected by beating mesquite and other host plants.
Actenodini
Actenodini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) within the subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members are characterized by their distinctive morphology and association with woody host plants. The tribe contains the genus Actenodes, which includes species found in North America. These beetles are part of the chrysobothrioid lineage within the Buprestidae, sharing evolutionary relationships with other wood-boring buprestid groups. The tribe is of interest to coleopterists studying North American jewel beetle diversity and host associations.
Agaeocera
Agaeocera is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing three described species: A. gentilis, A. gigas, and A. scintillans. The genus was established by Saunders in 1871. Based on field observations, adults of A. gentilis have been collected from Sphaeralcea (globemallow) plants in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Agaeocera gentilis
Agaeocera gentilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species occurs in southwestern North America and Central America, with two recognized subspecies: A. g. gentilis and A. g. peninsularis. Field observations indicate adults are active during summer months and have been collected from Sphaeralcea (globemallow) vegetation.
Agrilaxia
Agrilaxia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 80 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Kerremans in 1903 and belongs to the tribe Anthaxiini. Species are typically small, often metallic beetles. Several species have been documented visiting flowers, a behavior that is relatively uncommon among buprestid beetles. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with recent work describing new species from French Guiana and clarifying relationships with related genera such as Anthaxia.
Agrilaxia arizonae
Agrilaxia arizonae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Agrilaxia flavimana, though this status remains ambiguous in some taxonomic sources. It is associated with oak habitats in montane regions of Arizona and has been collected by sweeping foliage of Quercus arizonica (Arizona white oak) and other oak species.
Agrilaxia flavimana
Agrilaxia flavimana is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed across Central America and North America. The genus Agrilaxia is one of several small genera of jewel beetles known to routinely visit flowers, though most Buprestidae are associated with woody vegetation. Observations suggest this species occurs in prairie and open habitats where its presumed floral hosts grow.
Agrilini
Agrilini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, subfamily Agrilinae. The tribe comprises at least 40 described genera and over 180 described species, distributed across multiple subtribes including Agrilina, Amorphosternina, Amyiina, and Rhaeboscelidina. The genus Agrilus, the largest genus in the tribe, contains numerous species including several significant forest pests such as the emerald ash borer (A. planipennis).
Agrilus
jewel beetles, metallic woodboring beetles
Agrilus is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 3,000-4,000 described species, making it one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. Species are found on all continents except Antarctica and exhibit diverse ecological strategies, though most are wood-boring larvae developing in recently dead branches of woody flowering plants. A few notable species are economically significant pests that attack living trees, including the emerald ash borer (A. planipennis), bronze birch borer (A. anxius), and twolined chestnut borer (A. bilineatus).
Agrilus
jewel beetles, metallic woodboring beetles
Agrilus is a hyperdiverse genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) containing nearly 4,000 described species and potentially representing the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Species are primarily twig and branch borers, with larvae developing in recently dead wood, though notable exceptions attack living trees. The genus exhibits remarkable host specificity ranging from highly monophagous to oligophagous associations, exclusively with angiosperms—no species are known to utilize conifers. Adults are typically found on foliage of larval hosts rather than flowers, with sexual dimorphism occurring in some species.
Agrilus abditus
Agrilus abditus is a North American jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by George Henry Horn in 1891. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains thousands of species worldwide. Based on field observations, adults have been collected by sweeping foliage of Quercus arizonica (Arizona white oak) in southeastern Arizona. The species appears to be associated with oak habitats in montane regions of the southwestern United States.
Agrilus abjectus
Agrilus abjectus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1891. The species is native to North America. Like other members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it is presumed to be associated with woody plants, though specific host associations and biological details remain undocumented. The species is rarely encountered and poorly known compared to more widespread congeners.
Agrilus addendus
Agrilus addendus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Crotch in 1873 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like most members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, adults are associated with foliage of their larval host plants rather than flowers. The species has been documented from Texas, where it has been swept from mesquite-acacia fence lines.
Agrilus aeneocephalus
Agrilus aeneocephalus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1928. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Field observations indicate adults are active during summer months and have been collected by beating flowering vegetation, particularly Mimosa dysocarpa.
Agrilus albocomus
Agrilus albocomus is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1928. It belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and may be the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Like most Agrilus species, it is presumed to be a twig and branch borer utilizing recently dead wood for larval development. The specific epithet "albocomus" suggests white hair-like structures, possibly referring to setal patterns on the elytra or body.
Agrilus amelanchieri
Agrilus amelanchieri is a metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Knull in 1944. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and may be the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Based on the specific epithet and comparison with congeners such as A. vittaticollis, this species is likely associated with serviceberry (Amelanchier) as a larval host. Like other members of the genus, adults are probably found on foliage of their host plants. The species occurs in North America, with records from Ontario and Québec in Canada.
Agrilus angelicus
oak twig girdler, Pacific oak twig girdler
Agrilus angelicus, known as the oak twig girdler or Pacific oak twig girdler, is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is found in North America. It belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and is perhaps the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Like other members of the genus, it is a twig and branch borer, with larvae developing in recently dead wood.
Agrilus arbuti
Agrilus arbuti is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1928. The species epithet 'arbuti' suggests an association with plants in the genus Arbutus (Ericaceae), though specific host relationships remain undocumented. It is found in North America and belongs to one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom, with most Agrilus species developing as larvae in recently dead wood of woody plants.
Agrilus arcuatus
Agrilus arcuatus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1825. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. It has been documented at light traps, though it is not known to be attracted to lights in large numbers.
Agrilus arizonicus
Agrilus arizonicus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Obenberger in 1936. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration: males are bright green, while females appear more coppery. It has been documented from southeastern Arizona in the United States and likely extends into Mexico. The species is associated with oak woodlands and has been collected from Desmodium vegetation.
Agrilus asperulus
metallic wood-boring beetle
Agrilus asperulus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Waterhouse in 1889. The species is found in Central America and North America. Like other members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it belongs to a group of primarily twig and branch borers. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Agrilus aureus
Agrilus aureus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the genus Agrilus, which is among the largest genera in the animal kingdom with nearly 4,000 described species. The species is found in Central America and North America. Like most members of its genus, it is presumed to develop as larvae in woody plant material, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented.
Agrilus aurilaterus
Agrilus aurilaterus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Waterhouse in 1889. It belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and may represent the largest genus in the animal kingdom. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from Middle America and North America. Like most Agrilus species, it is likely associated with woody plants as a larval host, though specific host relationships have not been documented.
Agrilus baboquivariae
Agrilus baboquivariae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Fisher in 1928, this species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and is considered one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America.
Agrilus barberi
Agrilus barberi is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1928. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains over 3,000 described species worldwide. Based on the taxonomic placement and typical characteristics of the genus, this species likely exhibits the metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits common to many Agrilus species. However, specific biological details for A. barberi remain poorly documented in available literature.
Agrilus bentseni
Agrilus bentseni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Josef Knull in 1954. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Agrilus, it likely develops in woody plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Agrilus blandus
Agrilus blandus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. The species is notable among North American Agrilus for its routine association with flowers, particularly those of Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), which also serve as its confirmed larval host. This flower-visiting behavior is exceptional in a genus where adults typically do not visit flowers.
Agrilus burkei
Agrilus burkei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Fisher in 1917 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it is presumed to develop as a larva in woody plant tissue, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Agrilus carpini
Agrilus carpini is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Josef Knull in 1923. It belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and is considered one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Like other members of the genus, it likely develops as a larva in woody plant material, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Agrilus catalinae
Agrilus catalinae is a species of metallic woodboring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Josef N. Knull in 1940. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species, this beetle is part of the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Like most Agrilus species, it is presumed to be a twig or branch borer in woody plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species epithet 'catalinae' likely refers to Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, suggesting a southwestern U.S. origin for the type specimen.
Agrilus cavatus
Agrilus cavatus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is documented from Copper Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, where it has been collected by sweeping low-growing prairie acacia (Acaciella angustissima). It is known to occur in Central America, North America, and South America.
Agrilus celti
Agrilus celti is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Knull in 1920. It is found in North America. The specific epithet 'celti' suggests an association with Celtis (hackberry), a genus of trees commonly used as hosts by related Agrilus species, though direct host records for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Agrilus cephalicus
dogwood agrilus, dogwood cambium borer
Agrilus cephalicus, commonly known as the dogwood agrilus or dogwood cambium borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is found in North America and is associated with dogwood trees (Cornus spp.) as its larval host. Adults are metallic wood-boring beetles typical of the genus Agrilus. The specific epithet "cephalicus" refers to head-like characteristics, though the precise morphological basis for this name is not detailed in available sources.
Agrilus cochisei
Agrilus cochisei is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1948. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Adults have been observed on Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed) and Sphaeralcea flowers in western Texas.
Agrilus concinnus
hibiscus jewel beetle
Agrilus concinnus is a large, vividly colored jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was formerly considered one of the rarest Agrilus species in North America until researchers determined it to be a later-season species associated with living Hibiscus plants. Adults are active from late July through early August, peaking when host plants are in bloom. The species has been documented in Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas.
Agrilus corylicola
Agrilus corylicola is a jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1928. The species is associated with Corylus (hazelnut) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. It belongs to the large genus Agrilus, which contains numerous host-specific woodboring beetles. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with potential occurrence in Missouri suggested by host plant presence, though confirmed records from the state appear limited.
Agrilus crataegi
hawthorn agrilus
Agrilus crataegi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Frost in 1912 and is found in North America. The common name "hawthorn agrilus" suggests an association with hawthorn (Crataegus), though specific biological details remain poorly documented. Like other members of the genus Agrilus, it is presumed to have larval development in woody plant tissue.
Agrilus delicatulus
Agrilus delicatulus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Waterhouse in 1889 and occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it shares the general biology of twig and branch borers that develop in recently dead wood.
Agrilus difficilis
honeylocust agrilus, honey locust borer
Agrilus difficilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the honeylocust agrilus or honey locust borer. It is associated almost exclusively with honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) as its larval host. Unlike most Agrilus species that develop in dead wood, A. difficilis attacks living trees, particularly stressed or ornamental specimens, and has become a significant pest of landscape honey locusts in the eastern United States. The species is relatively large for the genus and readily distinguished by its coppery coloration with purple luster and distinctive lateral white pubescent patches.
Agrilus diospyroides
Agrilus diospyroides is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Josef N. Knull in 1942. The species is found in North America. Beyond its taxonomic description and general distribution, specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and morphology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Agrilus dollii
Agrilus dollii is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Schaeffer in 1904. Like other members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it is a metallic woodboring beetle. The genus contains nearly 4,000 described species and may represent the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Most Agrilus species are twig and branch borers in recently dead wood, with adults typically found on foliage rather than flowers.