Buprestidae
Guides
Brachys barberi
Brachys barberi is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is associated with oak hosts, particularly Quercus havardii (shin oak), and has been collected from sand dune habitats in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during spring and early summer, with observations and collections spanning from May to June. The species is part of the genus Brachys, a group of oak-associated buprestids that are typically collected by sweeping or beating foliage of host trees.
Brachys fasciferus
Brachys fasciferus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. It is native to North America. Members of the genus Brachys are leaf-miners as larvae, developing within the leaves of hardwood trees rather than boring through wood, a habit that distinguishes them from most other buprestids.
Brachys floccosus
Brachys floccosus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described by Mannerheim in 1837. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Records indicate it has been collected from oak woodland habitats in montane regions of southeastern Arizona, specifically from Quercus hypoleucoides (silverleaf oak).
Brachys floricola
Brachys floricola is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America and primarily found in the continental United States. It belongs to the genus Brachys, a group characterized by flattened, compact, wedge-shaped bodies and leaf-mining larval habits. Members of this genus typically mine the leaves of hardwood trees, particularly oaks (Quercus). The species is part of the tribe Trachyini, which exhibits highly derived morphology compared to other jewel beetles.
Brachys howdeni
Brachys howdeni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Hespenheide in 2016. It belongs to the genus Brachys, a group of small buprestids associated with oak foliage. The species is relatively recently described and appears to be distributed in southwestern North America. Like other Brachys species, it likely develops as a larva in oak branches and is attracted to fresh oak foliage as an adult.
Brachys querci
Brachys querci is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1952. The species is found in North America, with documented occurrences in the southwestern United States including Arizona and New Mexico. It is associated with oak species (Quercus), particularly gray oak (Quercus grisea), and has been collected by beating or sweeping foliage of trees with newly flushed leaves. The species is part of a genus that is taxonomically challenging and has been subject to recent revisionary work.
Brachys rileyi
Brachys rileyi is a recently described species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the genus Brachys. The species was described based on specimens collected from Quercus gambelii (Gambel's oak) in high-elevation mountain locations in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. Field observations indicate it occurs in alpine meadow and oak-juniper woodland habitats above 8000 feet elevation. The species is known from very few observations, with iNaturalist records documenting only two observations as of the source date.
Brachys wellsoi
Brachys wellsoi is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. Members of this genus are leaf-miners of hardwood trees, primarily oaks (Quercus). The tribe Trachyini exhibits a distinctive flattened, compact, wedge-shaped body form compared to the more typical elongate, cylindrical shape of other buprestids. This morphology is associated with their unique larval habit of mining within leaf tissue rather than boring through wood.
Braconinae
Braconinae is a large subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps comprising more than 2,000 described species. Members are small to medium-sized wasps, typically dark in coloration though some exhibit red, orange, or pale coloration. They possess cyclostome mouthparts and females usually have a long ovipositor. The subfamily is found worldwide with highest diversity in the Paleotropical region.
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jewel beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestinae is a subfamily of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 1,500+ species worldwide. The subfamily contains five recognized tribes: Anthaxiini, Buprestini, Chrysobothrini, Melanophilini, and Xenorhipidini. Members are characterized by their brilliant metallic coloration and sculptured bodies. Adults are primarily phytophagous, with many species visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. Larvae are predominantly wood-borers, though some exhibit leaf-mining habits in tropical regions. Several species are significant forestry pests or invasive species.
Buprestini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, established by Leach in 1815. The tribe contains approximately eight genera organized into four subtribes: Agaeocerina, Buprestina, Lamprocheilina, and Trachykelina. Notable genera include Buprestis (the type genus), Eurythyrea, Trachykele, and Lamprocheila. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Buprestis apricans
turpentine borer
Buprestis apricans, commonly known as the turpentine borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Herbst in 1801. It occurs in the Caribbean and North America, where it develops in coniferous trees. Like other members of the genus Buprestis, adults display metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Buprestis connexa
Buprestis connexa is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. The species was described by Horn in 1875. Like other members of the genus Buprestis, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles. The species occurs within the Nearctic realm and has been documented through limited observation records.
Buprestis consularis
Buprestis consularis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Ontario and Québec. The species was first described by Gory in 1841. Adults have been observed on dead and dying Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine) in pinyon/juniper/oak woodland habitat in northeastern New Mexico. The species has been documented as prey of the predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which has facilitated its detection in areas where it was previously unrecorded.
Buprestis decora
Buprestis decora is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Fabricius in 1775 and is recognized as a valid taxon. It is distributed across the Caribbean Sea region and North America, with records spanning Nearctic, Neotropical, and Palearctic biogeographic realms. As a member of the genus Buprestis, it belongs to one of the most visually striking genera of jewel beetles, though specific details about its biology and appearance remain poorly documented in available sources.
Buprestis haemorrhoidalis
Buprestis haemorrhoidalis is a Palearctic jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Herbst in 1780. The species was erroneously reported as established in British Columbia, Canada, based on a misidentified specimen of the native North American species Buprestis subornata. This misidentification propagated through multiple literature sources before correction. The species remains native to Europe and Asia with no confirmed establishment in North America.
Buprestis laeviventris
metallic wood-boring beetle, jewel beetle
Buprestis laeviventris is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from western Canada through the western United States. Adults are attracted to recently dead or dying coniferous trees, particularly pines. The species exhibits elytral color variation and has been the subject of recent youth science research projects examining morphological diversity across different pine host species.
Buprestis lineata
Lined Buprestid Beetle, lined buprestris
Buprestis lineata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Adults have been observed on the lower trunks of shortleaf pines (Pinus echinata) in Arkansas, where they congregate to mate. The species is one of several wood-boring beetles associated with pine trees in the southeastern United States.
Buprestis lyrata
pink-faced jewel beetle
Buprestis lyrata is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Thomas L. Casey in 1909. It is found in the Nearctic region, primarily in western North America including Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Adults are known to frequent freshly dead conifers, particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), where they can be found on trunks and branches. The species is part of the diverse genus Buprestis, which contains many colorful and sought-after jewel beetles among collectors.
Buprestis maculativentris
ventrally spotted buprestid, spotted-belly buprestid beetle
Buprestis maculativentris is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia) and the United States. The species is characterized by ventral spotting on the abdomen, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus Buprestis, it exhibits the brilliant metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Buprestis maculipennis
Buprestis maculipennis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Gory in 1841. The species is native to North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Nova Scotia) and the United States. It is one of several species in the genus Buprestis known for brilliant metallic coloration. The species includes three recognized subspecies: B. m. deficiens, B. m. fusiformis, and B. m. maculipennis.
Buprestis parmaculativentris
Buprestis parmaculativentris is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1958. It is native to North America and belongs to the Nearctic realm. As a member of the genus Buprestis, it shares the characteristic brilliant metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles. Very limited information is available regarding its biology, habitat preferences, and distribution specifics.
Buprestis prospera
Buprestis prospera is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats. Adults have been found associated with dead and dying Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine), suggesting a larval host relationship with this conifer species. The species was described by Casey in 1909.
Buprestis rufipes
red-legged buprestis, red-legged buprestis beetle, redbellied buprestis
Buprestis rufipes is a striking metallic wood-boring beetle native to the eastern and southern United States. Adults measure 18–25 mm and display brilliant metallic green coloration with distinctive golden-yellow bands across the elytra, with reddish legs and underparts that give the species its name. The beetle has been reared from dead or dying hardwood trunks, particularly maple, beech, oak, elm, and blackgum. Despite its visual prominence, the species remains poorly studied, with no recorded larval host plants and limited ecological data.
Buprestis subornata
Buprestis subornata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. The species was described by LeConte in 1860 and belongs to the subgenus Buprestis s. str. It has been recorded from western North America including British Columbia, with specimens documented from locations such as Kelowna. The species has been involved in taxonomic confusion, with specimens historically misidentified as the Palearctic species Buprestis haemorrhoidalis. Two subspecies are recognized: B. subornata subornata and B. subornata punctiventris Casey.
Cerceris californica
Cerceris californica is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species is a known predator of Buprestidae beetles (jewel beetles), paralyzing them with its sting to provision underground nests for its offspring. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it exhibits prey specialization, though the full breadth of its prey preferences has not been extensively documented.
Cerceris fumipennis
Smoky-winged Beetle Bandit Wasp
Cerceris fumipennis is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp and the only buprestid-hunting member of family Crabronidae in eastern North America. Females construct subterranean nests in hard-packed sandy soil and provision them exclusively with paralyzed jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The wasp has become a valuable biosurveillance tool for detecting the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), as it efficiently locates and captures these beetles from distances up to 2 km from its nest. Citizen science programs known as "WaspWatchers" monitor wasp colonies to survey for pest beetles.
Chalcophora angulicollis
western sculptured pine borer, sculptured pine borer
Chalcophora angulicollis is a large metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the western sculptured pine borer. It is one of the largest jewel beetles in western North America, measuring 20–33 mm in length. The species is strictly associated with pine trees (Pinus spp.), where larvae develop in dead or dying wood. Adults are active during daylight hours and are frequently observed running on or flying to recently fallen or injured pine trunks and branches. The species was historically confused with the eastern Chalcophora virginiensis but was reinstated as valid based on distinct morphological differences in mouthparts, male genitalia, and elytral margins.
Chalcophora fortis
Strong Jewel Beetle
Chalcophora fortis is a large jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Strong Jewel Beetle. It is one of five North American species in the genus Chalcophora, a group of sculptured pine borers characterized by their metallic coloration and heavily sculptured bodies. The species occurs in eastern North America, where it is associated with pine forests. Like other members of the genus, its dramatic sculpturing and metallic sheen serve a cryptic function, helping it blend with the bark of dead or dying pine trees.
Chalcophora georgiana
Southern Sculptured Pine Borer
Chalcophora georgiana, the southern sculptured pine borer, is a large metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is one of five North American species in the genus Chalcophora, all commonly known as "sculptured pine borers" due to their heavily sculptured exoskeletons and strict association with pine trees. This species occurs in the southeastern United States, with Florida representing a core part of its range.
Chalcophora liberta
northeastern sculptured pine borer, smaller flat-headed pine borer
Chalcophora liberta is one of five North American species in the genus Chalcophora, commonly known as sculptured pine borers. It is among the largest jewel beetles in eastern North America, characterized by its metallic coloration and heavily sculptured exosurface. The species is strictly associated with pine trees (Pinus spp.) and is one of four eastern species in the genus, distinguished from congeners by specific morphological features including coloration and male genitalia structure.
Chrysobothrini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Chrysobothrini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, containing at least three genera and approximately 140 described species. The tribe includes the large and economically significant genus Chrysobothris, whose members are primarily wood-borers associated with various tree and shrub hosts. Species in this tribe are characterized by their metallic coloration and cylindrical body form typical of the family. The group has been subject to taxonomic revision, particularly the Chrysobothris femorata species complex, which was recently redefined to recognize numerous cryptic species.
Chrysobothris
metallic wood-boring beetles, flatheaded borers
Chrysobothris is a large genus of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) containing at least 690 described species. Members are characterized by their flattened, streamlined bodies and often striking metallic coloration. The genus includes economically important pests of fruit trees, shade trees, and forest trees, as well as numerous species with narrower host associations. Species identification is notoriously difficult due to high diversity, morphological similarity among closely related taxa, and the existence of numerous cryptic species complexes.
Chrysobothris acutipennis
Chrysobothris acutipennis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It has been documented across Central America, North America, and South America, with confirmed records from Mexico to South America. The species has been taxonomically confused with similar Chrysobothris species, particularly C. fallax from northwestern Peru, from which it can be distinguished by the form of the tooth on the profemora and male genitalia. A 2022 revision clarified its distribution and distinguished it from C. merkelii.
Chrysobothris analis
Chrysobothris analis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by LeConte in 1860. Based on field observations, adults have been collected from Senegalia greggii (catclaw acacia) in Texas, suggesting this plant may serve as a larval host.
Chrysobothris bacchari
coyote bush buprestid
Chrysobothris bacchari is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the coyote bush buprestid. The species is native to North America and was first described by Van Dyke in 1923. Its common name suggests an association with coyote bush (Baccharis spp.), though specific host relationships require further documentation. The larval stage has been formally described from specimens in the United States and Mexico.
Chrysobothris basalis
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed across Central and North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris beameri
Chrysobothris beameri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Knull in 1954 and is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle with a metallic appearance.
Chrysobothris beyeri
Chrysobothris beyeri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1904. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to be associated with woody plants, though specific host relationships for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris bicolor
Chrysobothris bicolor is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1894. It belongs to the large and taxonomically challenging genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species groups characterized by subtle morphological differences. The species epithet "bicolor" likely refers to distinctive coloration patterns, though specific color details are not documented in the provided sources. As with other members of its genus, it presumably develops as larvae in dead or dying wood of host plants.
Chrysobothris bimarginicollis
Chrysobothris bimarginicollis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous wood-boring species in North America. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where identification relies on subtle morphological characters. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris breviloba
Chrysobothris breviloba is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fall in 1910. It is known from western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to develop as a larva in dead or dying wood, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris californica
Chrysobothris californica is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1860 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is associated with woody plants, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris carinipennis
Keel-winged Jewel Beetle
Chrysobothris carinipennis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by LeConte in 1878. It is found in western North America, with confirmed records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is associated with woody plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Chrysobothris carmelita
Chrysobothris chalcophoroides
sculptured oak borer
Chrysobothris chalcophoroides, commonly known as the sculptured oak borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Horn in 1886 and is distributed across North America. Like other members of its genus, it develops in oak wood, with adults active during warmer months. The species exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and sculptured elytra typical of Chrysobothris.
Chrysobothris chlorocephala
metallic wood-boring beetle
Chrysobothris chlorocephala is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Gory in 1841. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and other parts of the United States. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae develop in woody plants.
Chrysobothris chrysoela chrysoela
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Members of the species Chrysobothris chrysoela occur in Florida and are associated with oak habitats. The subspecies is part of a genus containing numerous economically important wood-boring beetles, many of which are difficult to identify due to reliance on suites of subtle morphological characters rather than single diagnostic features.
Chrysobothris convexa
Chrysobothris convexa is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1907. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Chrysobothris, it belongs to one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of North American beetles. The genus is characterized by cryptic coloration, alert behavior, and association with woody plants. Available information about this specific species is extremely limited, with only a single observation record documented in iNaturalist and no detailed biological studies published.
Chrysobothris costifrons
Chrysobothris costifrons is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. It belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles whose larvae typically develop in woody plants. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies. Adults are attracted to recently dead or stressed woody hosts.