Buprestidae
Guides
Chrysobothris viridicyanea
Chrysobothris viridicyanea is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Horn in 1886. It is distributed across North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits. The specific epithet combines Latin roots meaning "green-blue," likely referring to its metallic coloration.
Chrysobothris vulcanica
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, found in western North America. The species is named for its volcanic association, with records from volcanic regions of the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it develops in dead or dying wood, though specific host plant associations remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Chrysobothris westcotti
Westcott's flathead
Chrysobothris westcotti is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Barr in 1969. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous similar-looking flatheaded borers that are often difficult to distinguish without detailed examination.
Chrysobothris wickhami
Chrysobothris wickhami is a jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1942. The species belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, a group of wood-boring beetles commonly known as flatheaded borers. Like other members of the Chrysobothris femorata species-group, it is likely associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in current taxonomic databases.
Chrysobothris woodgatei
Chrysobothris woodgatei is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Champlain and Knull in 1922. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, a group of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as those in the C. femorata species-group.
Dicerca callosa
Dicerca callosa is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Casey in 1909, it is native to North America. The species includes two recognized subspecies: Dicerca callosa callosa and Dicerca callosa frosti. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, it is likely associated with dead or dying woody plants, though specific host records for this species remain limited.
Dicerca callosa frosti
Dicerca callosa frosti is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Originally described as Dicerca frosti by Nelson in 1963, it was later synonymized or treated as a subspecies of D. callosa. The species epithet "frosti" honors a collector, following common practice in buprestid taxonomy. Like other Dicerca species, it is a woodboring beetle with cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against bark.
Dicerca hornii
Dicerca hornii is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Crotch in 1873. The species is native to North America and has been documented in association with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) in the Lake Tahoe region. Three subspecies are recognized: D. hornii ampliata, D. hornii hornii, and D. hornii nelsoni. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, this species exhibits cryptic coloration that provides effective camouflage against tree bark.
Dicerca hornii hornii
Dicerca hornii hornii is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to western North America. The species is one of approximately two dozen buprestid beetles associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) in North America, with nine species confirmed as breeding within dead branches of this host plant genus. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, adults exhibit cryptic coloration that renders them nearly invisible against the bark of their host trees. The subspecies is part of a group of woodboring beetles that colonize dead or dying woody vegetation.
Dicerca juncea
Dicerca juncea is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, with records from Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. The species is elongate and measures approximately 14.2 mm in length. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, it exhibits cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against tree bark.
Dicerca lepida
embossed hawthorn buprestid
Dicerca lepida, the embossed hawthorn buprestid, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. Adults measure 13.5–17.5 mm in length. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, it exhibits cryptic coloration that provides effective camouflage against tree bark.
Dicerca lurida
Hickory Jewel Beetle
Dicerca lurida is a jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Hickory Jewel Beetle. Adults measure 12–20 mm and display cryptic coloration that renders them nearly invisible against tree bark despite their metallic luster when viewed as pinned specimens. The species is strongly associated with hickory trees (Carya spp.) and is one of the most common jewel beetles in eastern North America. Unlike most jewel beetles with restricted seasonal activity, D. lurida occurs year-round as adults, including winter hibernation under loose bark.
Dicerca sexualis
Dicerca sexualis is a Nearctic jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Crotch in 1873. It belongs to a genus of woodboring beetles characterized by cryptic coloration that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. Like other Dicerca species, adults are active year-round and are associated with dead or dying hardwood trees. The species is recorded from western North America, including British Columbia, Canada.
Dicerca tenebrosa
flatheaded conifer borer, Dark Jewel Beetle
Dicerca tenebrosa, commonly known as the flatheaded conifer borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found across North America, particularly in boreal and montane regions. The species is associated with coniferous trees, especially pines, and has been observed on dead or dying Pinus ponderosa and Pinus monophylla. Two subspecies are recognized: D. t. tenebrosa and D. t. knulli.
Dicerca tenebrosa knulli
Dicerca tenebrosa knulli is a subspecies of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Nelson in 1975. As a member of the genus Dicerca, it belongs to a group of metallic wood-boring beetles that develop as larvae in dead or dying wood. The nominate subspecies Dicerca tenebrosa is known to associate with conifers across boreal and mountain regions of western North America. This subspecies is recognized from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.
Dicerca tenebrosa tenebrosa
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Adults have been observed on dead and dying conifers, particularly Pinus ponderosa and Abies concolor. Females search trunks for oviposition sites, probing cracks and crevices with their ovipositor. The subspecies is distributed in western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and the western United States.
Dicerca tuberculata
Dicerca tuberculata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species occurs in eastern North America, with records from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, it is a woodboring species whose larvae develop in dead or dying hardwood trees.
Dicercina
Dicercina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae. It contains at least two genera, Dicerca and Lampetis, with approximately 20 described species. The subtribe belongs to the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Dicercini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Dicercini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 30 genera and more than 750 described species. Members are characterized by their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The tribe includes economically significant species such as Dicerca asperata, which has been documented overwintering as larvae inside dead branches of living trees. The tribe is classified within subfamily Chrysochroinae and is distributed across multiple biogeographic regions.
Eupristocerus
Eupristocerus is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing the single species Eupristocerus cogitans. The genus is classified within the tribe Coraebini, a group of buprestids characterized by their association with woody host plants. Eupristocerus cogitans is notable as the only coraebine buprestid known from North America north of Mexico.
Gambrinus olentangyi
Olentangy River Beetle
Gambrinus olentangyi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described from the Olentangy River region in Ohio and is associated with riparian habitats. The species is rarely encountered in collections and remains poorly known biologically.
Gyascutus caelatus
Gyascutus caelatus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Field observations from Arizona indicate adults are active during summer months and are associated with Acacia species, particularly sweet acacia (Acacia rigidula).
Gyascutus carolinensis
Gyascutus carolinensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from the Nearctic and Neotropic biogeographic regions. The species is associated with juniper hosts, specifically Juniperus monosperma. Adults exhibit a distinctive greenish waxy bloom covering the body, which is thought to aid in camouflage among foliage.
Gyascutus dianae
Gyascutus dianae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Gyascutus, it belongs to a group of buprestid beetles known for their large size and often distinctive waxy bloom covering the elytra. The species was originally described as Hippomelas dianae by Helfer in 1954.
Gyascutus fulgidus
Gyascutus fulgidus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described by Barr in 1969. The species is native to western North America, particularly the Great Basin region. Based on genus-level characteristics, adults are known to possess a pale yellow-white waxy bloom on the elytra, which is believed to serve a thermoregulatory function in these desert-dwelling insects. The species has been collected on willow (Salix) in western Nevada.
Gyascutus planicosta
Gyascutus planicosta is a large metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Adults reach up to 50 mm in length and display brilliant metallic coloration. The species occurs in the desert southwest of North America, with larvae developing in living roots of host plants rather than dead wood. Three subspecies are recognized, with G. p. obliteratus occurring in western Texas and southern New Mexico.
Gyascutus planicosta cribriceps
Gyascutus planicosta cribriceps is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is one of the larger buprestid beetles in North America and is known to occur on willow (Salix) as well as other host plants. The subspecies is part of a complex that was formerly treated as a subgenus of Hippomelas but is now recognized as the distinct genus Gyascutus. Adults are active during summer months and can be collected by beating host vegetation or observed in flight.
Gyascutus planicosta obliteratus
Gyascutus planicosta obliteratus is a subspecies of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) found in the southwestern United States. The species is associated with saltbush habitats, particularly Atriplex canescens (four-winged saltbush), on which adults have been observed perching. The subspecies represents one of several regional forms within the Gyascutus planicosta complex. Field observations from southeastern New Mexico indicate late-season adult activity in September.
Haplostethini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Haplostethini is a tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) within the subfamily Polycestinae. The tribe comprises at least 10 genera and more than 60 described species. Members are small to moderately sized metallic wood-boring beetles distributed across multiple continents. The genus Mastogenius is the most well-known in North America, with species occurring in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The tribe was established by LeConte in 1861.
Hesperorhipis
Hesperorhipis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing four described species distributed in the southwestern United States. The genus belongs to the tribe Xenorhipidini, characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments, while females retain serrated antennae. Species in this genus exhibit abbreviated elytra that expose much of the abdomen, a trait that distinguishes them from related genera. The genus was established by Fall in 1930 and is currently under revision.
Hesperorhipis albofasciata
Hesperorhipis albofasciata is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Xenorhipidini. It is one of four species in the genus Hesperorhipis, which is restricted to Arizona and California. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in antennal structure and elytral abbreviation, with males possessing highly modified flabellate antennae and more abbreviated elytra than females. It has been reared exclusively from walnut (Juglans sp.).
Hesperorhipis hyperbola californica
Hesperorhipis hyperbola californica is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the tribe Xenorhipidini, described by Knull in 1947. It is endemic to California and belongs to a genus characterized by highly abbreviated elytra, particularly in males. Members of this tribe exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure, with males possessing flabellate antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones. The subspecies is part of a small genus of four species restricted to Arizona and California.
Hesperorhipis jacumbae
Hesperorhipis jacumbae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1954. It belongs to the tribe Xenorhipidini, a group notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in male antennae. Like other members of its genus, it possesses abbreviated elytra that expose much of the abdomen. The species is found in North America, specifically in the southwestern United States.
Hesperorhipis mirabilis
Hesperorhipis mirabilis is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Xenorhipidini. It is one of four species in the genus Hesperorhipis, which is restricted to Arizona and California. The species is characterized by highly abbreviated elytra, particularly in males, and belongs to a tribe notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure. Two subspecies are recognized: H. m. mirabilis and H. m. albopennis.
Hesperorhipis mirabilis albopennis
Hesperorhipis mirabilis albopennis is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the tribe Xenorhipidini, characterized by highly abbreviated elytra and sexually dimorphic antennae. Males possess extended flabellate antennae with olfactory sensillae, while females have unmodified serrate antennae. The subspecies was described by Knull in 1951 and occurs in western North America.
Hippomelanina
Hippomelanina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, established by Holynski in 1993. It comprises at least four genera—Barrellus, Gyascutus, Hippomelas, and Prasinalia—and approximately 15 described species. Members of this subtribe are classified within the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. The subtribe represents a relatively small but distinct lineage within the diverse jewel beetle fauna.
Hippomelas planicauda
Hippomelas planicauda is a large buprestid beetle (family Buprestidae) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly Mimosa dysocarpa (velvetpod mimosa), on which adults are frequently collected by beating flowering branches. It occurs in desert scrub and canyon habitats of southeastern Arizona and adjacent regions, where it is often found in company with other large buprestids such as Hippomelas sphenicus and Gyascutus caelatus.
Juniperella
Juniperella is a monotypic genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing only the single species Juniperella mirabilis. The genus was established by Knull in 1947. It belongs to the subfamily Buprestinae and tribe Melanophilini. Knowledge of this genus is extremely limited due to its rarity and the scarcity of observations.
Juniperella mirabilis
Juniper Metallic Wood-boring Beetle
Juniperella mirabilis is a rare metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, and the sole species in its genus. It is endemic to North America and associated with juniper hosts. The species was described by Knull in 1947 and remains poorly known, with very few documented observations.
Knowltonia
Burnleafs
Knowltonia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in western North America. The genus contains four species characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess highly modified, bipectinate (biflabellate) antennae with dual projections from terminal antennomeres, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This antennal modification is presumed to function in detecting female sex pheromones. The genus is notable for its independent evolution of male antennal elaboration similar to that seen in the tribe Xenorhipidini and other disparate buprestid taxa.
Knowltonia calida
Knowltonia calida is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The genus Knowltonia is characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae, with males possessing highly modified flabellate or bipectinate antennae while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This antennal modification is presumed to function in detecting female sex pheromones.
Lampetis
Eyed Jewel Beetles
Lampetis is a large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising nearly 300 species worldwide. Adults are typically large, conspicuous beetles with brilliant metallic coloration. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, South America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Larval biology remains poorly known for most species, with development suspected to occur in living wood below the soil line—a habit that explains the rarity of larval discoveries.
Lampetis cupreopunctata
Tamaulipan Copper-spotted Buprestid
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, characterized by copper-spotted coloration. Native to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with documented presence in Central America and North America. The common name references the Tamaulipan region, suggesting association with northeastern Mexico and adjacent areas.
Lampetis drummondi
Drummond's metallic wood-boring beetle
Lampetis drummondi is a large, metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, reaching up to 50 mm in length. Adults are brilliant blue-green in color with distinctive punctation patterns on the elytra. The species occurs in the desert southwest of North America and Central America. Adults are often found resting on small trees and shrubs, particularly persimmon (Diospyros texana) in western Texas, and are notably sluggish and easily captured by hand. The larval biology remained unknown until 2004, when larvae were discovered feeding in living willow (Salix gooddingii) wood at the soil line.
Leiopleura
Leiopleura is a large genus of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 150 described species. The genus was established by Deyrolle in 1864 and is distributed across the Neotropics and Oceania. Species in this genus exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration and streamlined body form typical of buprestid beetles.
Leiopleura otero
Leiopleura otero is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fisher in 1935. The species is known from the Caribbean Sea and North America. As a member of Buprestidae, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles. Available information about this species is limited, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist.
Macrorrhyncha coxalis
Macrorrhyncha coxalis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species belongs to a genus within the diverse buprestid fauna, though specific details about its biology and distribution remain poorly documented in available literature. Like other members of Buprestidae, it likely develops in woody plants, with larvae boring through cambium and sapwood. The genus Macrorrhyncha is not among the better-studied buprestid genera, and most information about this species would require examination of primary taxonomic literature or museum specimens.
Mastogenius
Mastogenius is a genus of minute jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) characterized by extremely small body size—adults measure approximately 2 mm in length. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America and into South America. Adults are typically collected by beating oak foliage, and at least one species has been recorded from Florida sand oak (Quercus geminata). The genus is among the smallest buprestids in North America, making field identification challenging without close examination.
Mastogenius castlei
Mastogenius castlei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Champlain and Knull in 1922. The genus Mastogenius comprises some of the smallest buprestids, with adults measuring approximately 2 mm in length. Very little specific information is documented for this species; most knowledge of the genus derives from congeneric species.
Mastogenius crenulatus
Mastogenius crenulatus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1934. It is one of the smallest buprestids in North America, measuring approximately 2 mm in length. The genus Mastogenius is characterized by its diminutive size and cryptic dark coloration, making adults appear as tiny black dots on vegetation.