Buprestidae
Guides
Chrysobothris costifrons costifrons
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Larval morphology has been described from specimens in the H. E. Burke Collection. The species belongs to a genus of wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in living or dead woody plants.
Chrysobothris crandalli
Chrysobothris crandalli is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Knull in 1943, this species is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits. The species is part of a large and taxonomically challenging genus containing numerous closely related species that are often difficult to distinguish.
Chrysobothris cribraria
Sifting Metallic Wood-borer
Chrysobothris cribraria is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1837. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario) and the United States. The species has been collected from dead Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine) saplings in Oklahoma and from fallen dead branches of Pinus clausa (sand pine) in Florida, indicating an association with dead or dying coniferous wood.
Chrysobothris culbersoniana
Chrysobothris culbersoniana is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1943. It belongs to the Chrysobothris femorata species group, a taxonomically challenging complex of wood-boring beetles that was revised by Wellso and Manley in 2007. The species is known from limited records in North America, with observations documented from Texas and New Mexico.
Chrysobothris cuprascens
A small to medium-sized metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, characterized by coppery or brassy metallic coloration. First described by LeConte in 1860, this species occurs in North America and has been documented in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats. Adults have been observed on recently fallen branches of Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine), where they run rapidly along the wood surface. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, the larvae are wood-borers that develop in dead or dying coniferous hosts.
Chrysobothris cupressicona
flatheaded cypress cone borer
Chrysobothris cupressicona is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr and Westcott in 1976. The species is commonly known as the flatheaded cypress cone borer, indicating an association with cypress. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a member of the jewel beetle group characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits.
Chrysobothris debilis
Chrysobothris debilis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1860. The species belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American buprestid species. Like other members of this genus, it likely exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Chrysobothris dentipes
Spurred Metallic Wood-borer
Chrysobothris dentipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Spurred Metallic Wood-borer. It is one of the most widespread species in its genus, occurring across much of North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern Mexico. Adults are frequently encountered on dead pine wood, particularly on exposed roots and trunks of recently dead pines. The species was among the earliest described in the genus Chrysobothris, with the specific epithet referring to the toothed spine on the front femora.
Chrysobothris dolata
Chrysobothris dolata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1886. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains over 300 species in North America. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and distribution within the continent remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Chrysobothris dudleyaphaga
Chrysobothris dudleyaphaga is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott in 2007 from California and Baja California. It represents a significant host association discovery, being the first buprestid documented to feed on Dudleya species (Crassulaceae). This finding established that both larval and adult Buprestidae utilize hosts in the Crassulaceae plant family. The species was described with detailed biological notes in its original description.
Chrysobothris edwardsii
Ocotillo borer
Chrysobothris edwardsii is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is commonly known as the Ocotillo borer, suggesting an association with Fouquieria species. It occurs in Central America and North America, with distribution records from both regions. As a member of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely exhibits the typical jewel beetle biology of larval development in woody plants, though specific details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Chrysobothris ephedrae
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1942. Two subspecies are recognized: C. e. ephedrae and C. e. vogti (Knull, 1964). The species is known from North America. Specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris ephedrae vogti
Chrysobothris ephedrae vogti is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the Chrysobothris femorata species-group, a complex of closely related species that have historically been difficult to distinguish. The subspecies was described by Knull in 1964. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details for this subspecies remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris eriogoni
Chrysobothris eriogoni is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott in 2005 from specimens collected in Oregon and Washington. As a member of the speciose genus Chrysobothris, it belongs to a group of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The species epithet 'eriogoni' suggests a potential association with Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), though this host relationship has not been explicitly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris fiskei
Chrysobothris fiskei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Fisher in 1942. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and morphology remain poorly documented in the available literature. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops as a larva in woody plant tissue.
Chrysobothris harrisi
Chrysobothris harrisi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Hentz in 1827 and is sometimes misspelled as "harrisii". It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species of jewel beetles in North America. Like other members of its genus, this species exhibits metallic coloration typical of buprestid beetles.
Chrysobothris hubbardi
Chrysobothris hubbardi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1942. The species is part of the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American jewel beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Available information about this species is extremely limited, with only basic taxonomic documentation and distribution records confirming its presence in North America.
Chrysobothris humilis
Chrysobothris humilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species exhibits striking sexual dichromatism, with males and females displaying different coloration patterns. It has been documented in mesquite-dominated habitats in the southwestern United States. The species appears to be uncommonly encountered and is associated with Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite).
Chrysobothris lateralis
Chrysobothris lateralis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As with other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to have wood-boring larvae that develop within host plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris libonoti
Chrysobothris libonoti is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Horn in 1886. 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 lixa
Chrysobothris lixa is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1886. Like other members of this large genus, it exhibits the characteristic jewel-like metallic coloration typical of buprestid beetles. The species occurs across Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as those in the C. femorata species-group.
Chrysobothris ludificata Horn, 1886
Chrysobothris ludificata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1886. It is a member of the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species that are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and habitat preferences remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris mescalero
Chrysobothris mescalero is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 by Wellso and Manley. It belongs to the taxonomically challenging Chrysobothris femorata species-group. The species is endemic to sand dune habitats in New Mexico and west Texas, where it develops exclusively in oak (Quercus) species. Adults are characterized by uniformly brown frons and clypeus in both sexes, and three distinct elytral costae with indistinct foveae.
Chrysobothris micromorpha
Chrysobothris micromorpha is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1907. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous wood-boring species in North America. Like other members of this genus, it is likely associated with dead or dying woody plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species is known from both North America and Middle America based on occurrence records.
Chrysobothris nelsoni
Chrysobothris nelsoni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Westcott & Alten in 2006. The species is known from sand dune habitats in southern Utah and northern Arizona, where it is associated with Eriogonum alatum (winged buckwheat) as its larval host plant. Adults are bright metallic green and have been observed resting on the basal rosette of leaves of their host plant during daylight hours. The species appears to have a relatively narrow seasonal activity period, with most records from late May through June.
Chrysobothris neopusilla
Chrysobothris neopusilla is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1942. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle with the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Chrysobothris neotexana
Chrysobothris neotexana is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Dozier in 1955. It is found in North America. Beyond basic taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, specific information regarding its biology, host associations, and distinguishing characteristics appears to be limited in the available literature.
Chrysobothris nixa
flatheaded cedar borer
Chrysobothris nixa, commonly known as the flatheaded cedar borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from British Columbia and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species was described by Horn in 1886 and is one of eleven Chrysobothris species whose larvae were described in a 1966 study of buprestid larvae from the H. E. Burke Collection.
Chrysobothris octocola
Chrysobothris octocola is a metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is strongly associated with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), where adults are found on dead or stressed branches and larvae develop in the wood. It represents a notable range extension into Oklahoma, where it was first documented in 2012. The species exhibits fall adult activity and has been collected in association with juniper in some areas, though mesquite remains the primary documented host.
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae) described by Obenberger in 1940. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species often associated with woody host plants. The species is recorded from both North America and Central America. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops as a larva in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris pseudotsugae
Chrysobothris pseudotsugae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Van Dyke in 1916. The specific epithet "pseudotsugae" indicates an association with Pseudotsuga (Douglas-fir), though detailed biological information remains limited. The species is recorded from western North America, particularly British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though this has not been explicitly documented.
Chrysobothris purpureoplagiata
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1904. The specific epithet refers to purple markings on the elytra. It belongs to the speciose genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species with difficult taxonomy and often subtle diagnostic characters.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata
Chrysobothris purpureovittata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is notable among its congeners for being exceptionally polyphagous, with documented larval hosts spanning over two dozen species of deciduous trees across 21 genera and 11 plant families. The species occurs primarily in the central and south-central United States, with two recognized subspecies: the nominate form and C. p. cercocarpi, which is restricted to mountain mahogany in New Mexico.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata cercocarpi
Chrysobothris purpureovittata cercocarpi is a subspecies of jewel beetle described from a population at Cloudcroft, New Mexico, associated exclusively with mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus). It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by having an entirely red pronotum and uniformly dark elytra. The species belongs to a genus where most members exhibit host specificity, though the nominate subspecies is notably polyphagous. This western population represents a rare case of host specialization within an otherwise generalist species.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata purpureovittata
Chrysobothris purpureovittata purpureovittata is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed primarily in the central and south-central United States. This taxon is notable for its exceptional polyphagy, having been reared from more than two dozen species of deciduous trees across eleven plant families. Adults are typically encountered by beating foliage, particularly of hackberry (Celtis spp.) and other members of Ulmaceae, though larval hosts span multiple families including Rosaceae, Fagaceae, and Rhamnaceae.
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa
Four-impressed Chrysobothris
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa is a jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, belonging to the Chrysobothris femorata species group. This species was originally described in 1837, subsequently synonymized, and resurrected in the 2007 revision by Wellso and Manley. It occurs across eastern North America west to the Continental Divide and is primarily associated with oak (Quercus) hosts. The species is distinguished from closely related members of the C. femorata group by subtle morphological characters of the pygidium and elytra.
Chrysobothris rossi
Chrysobothris rossi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species has been collected from mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), soapberry (Sapindus saponaria), and various acacia species (Vachellia constricta, Senegalia greggii). Adults are attracted to ethanol-baited traps and can be collected by beating dead or dying branches of host plants.
Chrysobothris rotundicollis
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. The species name 'rotundicollis' refers to its rounded pronotum. Like other members of the genus, it likely develops in woody plants, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The species is recognized from scattered records across Canada and the United States.
Chrysobothris rugosiceps
Chrysobothris rugosiceps is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1845. It belongs to the taxonomically challenging C. femorata species group, which was revised in 2007 to include twelve species. The original type specimen is lost, and a neotype has been designated. Adults are active on dead oak branches and trunks during daylight hours.
Chrysobothris schistomorion
Chrysobothris schistomorion is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described in 2001 by Westcott & Davidson. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species often associated with woody host plants. The specific epithet refers to its resemblance to schist (a type of metamorphic rock), likely alluding to coloration or surface texture. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a wood-boring beetle with larvae developing in dead or dying wood.
Chrysobothris seminole
Chrysobothris seminole is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 as part of a revision of the Chrysobothris femorata species-group. It is notable as the only member of this species-group associated with a non-woody host plant. The species has a highly restricted distribution in the southeastern United States and is considered rare, with only a few individuals documented at its type locality.
Chrysobothris semisculpta
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by LeConte in 1860. It occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is likely associated with woody plants, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in the available sources.
Chrysobothris serripes
Chrysobothris serripes 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 associated with various host plants. The specific epithet "serripes" refers to the serrated or saw-like nature of the legs, though detailed biological information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature. As with many Chrysobothris species, it is presumed to develop in woody plant material, though specific host associations have not been documented in the sources consulted.
Chrysobothris sexsignata
Six-marked Jewel Beetle
Chrysobothris sexsignata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Six-marked Jewel Beetle. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island) and the United States. The species is one of several Chrysobothris species that serve as prey for the specialist crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis.
Chrysobothris socialis apache
Chrysobothris socialis apache is a subspecies of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Westcott & Barr in 2007. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species associated with woody plants. The subspecies is part of the Chrysobothris socialis species complex. Like other members of this genus, it likely develops as a larva in the wood of living or dead trees and shrubs, with adults active during the warmer months. The subspecific epithet "apache" suggests a southwestern U.S. distribution, potentially associated with Apache tribal lands or geographic regions in Arizona, New Mexico, or adjacent areas.
Chrysobothris speculifer Horn, 1886
metallic wood-boring beetle
Chrysobothris speculifer is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Horn in 1886. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species that are often difficult to distinguish. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and distribution within this range remain limited in available sources.
Chrysobothris subcylindrica
Chrysobothris subcylindrica is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. This species belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles whose members are typically associated with woody host plants.
Chrysobothris tranquebarica
Australian Pine Borer, Mangrove Borer
Chrysobothris tranquebarica is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Australian pine borer or mangrove borer. The species has been documented in the Caribbean Sea region and North America. As a member of the genus Chrysobothris, it shares the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of this large and taxonomically challenging group.
Chrysobothris trinervia
Chrysobothris trinervia is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Kirby in 1837. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Labrador in Canada. The species name "trinervia" (three-veined) likely refers to elytral venation patterns, though specific morphological details distinguishing it from congeners are not well documented in available sources. Like other members of the genus, it presumably develops in dead or dying woody plants, though confirmed host associations have not been established.
Chrysobothris verdigripennis
Chrysobothris verdigripennis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Frost in 1910. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a buprestid beetle with larvae that develop in wood, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.