Buprestidae
Guides
Melanophila acuminata
black fire beetle, fire bug
Melanophila acuminata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, renowned for its exceptional ability to detect and locate forest fires from considerable distances. Adults possess specialized infrared radiation sensors on the thorax that detect heat, enabling them to swarm to freshly burned conifer trees for reproduction. The species has a broad Holarctic distribution and exhibits strong flight capabilities, with adults documented flying more than 50 miles to reach fire sites. Larvae develop in the phloem of fire-damaged conifers, taking several years to mature before emerging through D-shaped exit holes.
Melanophila occidentalis
Melanophila occidentalis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Obenberger in 1928. The genus Melanophila is notable for its pyrophilic behavior, with some species attracted to smoke and heat from forest fires. This species occurs in North America, including British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of the genus, it likely develops in fire-scarred or recently burned coniferous wood.
Melanophilini
Melanophilini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) containing at least 4 genera and approximately 20 described species. The tribe is characterized by its placement within the Chrysobothrioid lineage and is distinguished from related tribes by morphological features of the adults. The genus Phaenops, one of the more diverse genera in the tribe, includes species associated with coniferous trees.
Nanularia monoensis
Nanularia monoensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Charles L. Bellamy in 1987, it is known from a restricted area in the Benton Range of Mono County, California. The species is considered rare, with few documented observations.
Octinodes amplicollis
Octinodes amplicollis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with confirmed observations in Arizona. Adults have been collected from flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta and other yellow composite flowers in late summer. The species belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized buprestid beetles.
Oodera
Oodera is the sole genus in the monotypic family Ooderidae, a group of chalcidoid wasps elevated to family rank in 2022. Species range from 3.6 to 17 mm and are distinguished by raptorial forelegs and a mantis-like habitus. Almost all species are parasitoids of xylophagous beetle larvae in families Buprestidae and Curculionidae. The genus occurs in warm regions of the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan realms, with one introduced species in the Nearctic.
Pachyschelus
Pachyschelus is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing at least 270 described species. Members are small, flattened leaf-miners distinguished from other buprestids by their highly derived morphology: compact, wedge-shaped bodies adapted for living between leaf surfaces rather than boring through wood. The genus belongs to the tribe Trachyini, whose larvae mine leaves of herbaceous plants rather than stems or trunks. Species occur primarily in the Neotropics, with some extending into North America.
Pachyschelus fisheri
Pachyschelus fisheri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Vogt in 1949. The species belongs to the tribe Trachyini, a group characterized by flattened, compact body forms and leaf-mining larval habits. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous host plants. It is found in North America.
Pachyschelus nicolayi
Pachyschelus nicolayi is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. The species is characterized by its blue coloration without pubescent spotting, distinguishing it from the similar P. purpureus. It is known to breed in Apios americana (groundnut) and Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria), with adults active later in the season than the related P. purpureus. The species has been recorded from North America, though its distribution appears to be less well documented than some congeners.
Pachyschelus purpureus
Pachyschelus purpureus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. Adults are active in early spring and are associated with wild geranium (Geranium maculatum). The species is part of a distinctive group of leaf-mining buprestids with flattened, compact body forms adapted for larval development in leaf tissue rather than wood.
Pachyschelus schwarzi
Pachyschelus schwarzi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the tribe Trachyini, a group characterized by small, flattened, wedge-shaped adults with larvae that mine within leaves rather than boring through wood. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous host plants, though specific details remain poorly documented.
Pachyschelus secedens
Pachyschelus secedens is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Field observations indicate it is associated with Desmodium species, on which it has been collected by beating vegetation.
Paragrilus
Paragrilus is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Agrilinae, native to the Americas. The genus contains approximately 70 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America, with four species occurring in the United States. Species are generally small, dark-colored beetles with reduced metallic luster compared to many other buprestids. They are distinguished from the related and more diverse genus Agrilus by their antennae, which can be received into grooves along the sides of the pronotum.
Paragrilus rugatulus
Metallic Woodborer
Paragrilus rugatulus is a metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae: Agrilinae) described by Thomson in 1879. It belongs to the P. rugatulus species group, one of three species groups recognized in the genus for North and Central America. The species occurs in the United States and extends into Central America. Members of its species group are associated with plants in the genus Sida (Malvaceae).
Paratyndaris acaciae
Paratyndaris acaciae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is found in Central America and North America, with the specific epithet suggesting an association with Acacia host plants. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with woody leguminous plants and is typically collected by beating dead or dying branches.
Paratyndaris albofasciata
Paratyndaris albofasciata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1937. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is known from Central America and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the accessible literature.
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Originally described as Tyndaris chamaeleonis by Skinner in 1903, it was later transferred to the genus Paratyndaris. The species belongs to the subgenus Knulliella, one of three subgenera recognized in the genus. It is found in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Paratyndaris cincta
Paratyndaris cincta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris), one of three subgenera recognized in the genus Paratyndaris. The species was described by Horn in 1885. It is distributed across Central America and North America.
Paratyndaris coursetiae
Paratyndaris coursetiae is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Fisher in 1919 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris). The genus Paratyndaris is primarily distributed in southwestern North America and Mexico, with most species associated with woody host plants.
Paratyndaris knulli
Paratyndaris knulli is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, placed in the subgenus Waltersia. It was originally described by Barr in 1972 and occurs in Central America and North America. The genus Paratyndaris is a largely southwestern and Mexican group of jewel beetles, with P. knulli being one of four species in its subgenus. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with dead woody vegetation.
Paratyndaris olneyae
Paratyndaris olneyae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described as Tyndaris olneyae by Skinner in 1903. It is classified in the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris, a predominantly southwestern North American and Mexican group. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Paratyndaris suturalis
Paratyndaris suturalis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fall in 1934. It belongs to the subgenus Knulliella within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is distributed across the Caribbean Sea and North America, with records from the Neotropical region. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Paratyndaris tucsoni
Paratyndaris tucsoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Knull in 1938 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) Fisher. The genus Paratyndaris is a southwestern and Mexican group of beetles that are often poorly represented in collections. A 2004 revision by Nelson & Bellamy recognized three subgenera within Paratyndaris and provided comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus.
Parauleutes
Parauleutes is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae. The genus is closely related to Acmaeodera and is restricted to western North America. Species within Parauleutes remain poorly represented in collections due to cryptic habits, and the genus is currently in need of taxonomic revision with multiple undescribed species known to exist.
Phaenops
Phaenops is a genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) in the tribe Melanophilini. Species in this genus are primarily associated with coniferous trees, especially pines (Pinus spp.), and are closely related to the fire beetles of genus Melanophila. Unlike Melanophila, Phaenops lack the heat-sensing pores on the metathorax and do not exhibit fire-seeking behavior. The genus occurs across North America, with species documented from the southwestern United States to the Pacific Northwest and into Canada.
Phaenops californica
California Flat-Headed Borer
Phaenops californica is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the California flat-headed borer. The species was described by Van Dyke in 1918. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records including British Columbia, Canada. As a member of the genus Phaenops, it belongs to a group of jewel beetles associated with coniferous hosts.
Phaenops drummondi
flatheaded fir borer, Drummond's Flathead Fir Borer
Phaenops drummondi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the flatheaded fir borer. The species was originally described as Buprestis drummondi by Kirby in 1837 and later transferred to the genus Phaenops. A nomenclatural revision in 2012 formally synonymized Melanophila drummondi ab. nicolayi under this species. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, and Manitoba.
Phaenops fulvoguttata
Hemlock Borer
Phaenops fulvoguttata, commonly known as the hemlock borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada from British Columbia to Labrador, including Alberta and Manitoba. The species is associated with coniferous trees, particularly hemlock (Tsuga spp.), and belongs to a genus of jewel beetles that develop in the wood of pines and related conifers.
Phaenops gentilis
Phaenops gentilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, known for its bright metallic green coloration. Adults are approximately 8 mm in length and are associated with pine forests, particularly ponderosa pine. The species has been documented exhibiting erratic running behavior when disturbed and is known to pause for grooming and egg-laying activities. It occurs in western North America including Colorado, Arizona, and British Columbia.
Phaenops lecontei
Phaenops lecontei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The genus Phaenops comprises species associated with coniferous trees, particularly pines. P. lecontei occurs in North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to develop in wood of Pinus species, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Phlepsanus vanduzeei
Phlepsanus vanduzeei is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was originally described as Acmaeodera vanduzeei by Van Dyke and later transferred to the genus Phlepsanus. The species is associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) host plants in western North America. Like other members of the genus, it is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae develop within dead branches of its host plant.
Pirhidius
Pirhidius is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Acmaeoderini. The genus contains at least one undescribed species, indicating incomplete taxonomic knowledge of this group. Members of this genus are part of the diverse North American buprestid fauna that remains understudied relative to more commonly collected groups.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
shield-backed-katydidOrthopteraTettigoniidaedesertsouthwestern-United-Statesnocturnalbrachypterouskatydidinsectarid-habitatyucca-associationsummer-activitywhite-markingslarge-body-sizePlagiostiriniTettigoniinaeNew-MexicoArizonaUtahwest-Texassand-dunesdesert-scrubcrepuscularlimited-flightScudder-1876Plagiostira-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldbackEnsiferaTettigoniideaTettigonioideaHexapodaArthropodaInsectaAnimaliaEukaryotaMetazoagrasshoppers,-crickets-&-katydidsPlagiostira28-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyWikipediaBeetles-In-The-Bush2018-New-Mexico/Texas-Insect-Collecting-TripTed-C.-MacRaeJeff-HuetherJune-2–9,-2018southeastern-New-MexicoMescalero-Sand-DunesKermit,-TexasHwy-380San-AntonioBinghamSandia-MountainsWalking-Sands-Rest-AreaValley-of-Fire-National-Recreation-AreaSierra-Blanca-MountainsSunset,-New-MexicoHobbs,-New-MexicoKermit-Sand-DunesI-10-Rest-AreaFabens,-TexasCarlsbad,-New-MexicoLoco-Hills,-New-MexicoCarrizozo,-New-MexicoBingham,-New-MexicoSocorro,-New-MexicoThe-BoxyuccaProsopis-glandulosamesquiteOpuntia-imbricatachollaJuniperus-monospermajuniperSapindus-drummondiisoapberryAcacia-greggiicatclaw-acaciaAcacia-rigidablack-acaciaThelespermaDaleaPenstemonRobiniaCeltisGaillardiaOenetheraBaccharisSphaeralceaEphedraCacamacactus-dodger-cicadaTragidion-armatumPrionus-arenariusPrionus-palparisPrionus-integerPolyphyllaMoneilemacactus-beetleGyascutusAcmaeoderaChrysobothrisAgrilusEnoclerusActenodesParatyndarisAcmaeoderopsisBrachysNeoclytusCleridaeCerambycidaeBuprestidaeScarabaeidaeCarabidaeTenebrionidaeMeloidaeCoreidaePompilidaetarantula-hawkCicindelidaeCylindera-lemniscatatiger-beetleLycaenidaeBrephidium-exiliswestern-pygmy-blueEchinargus-isolaReakirt's-blueshieldbackdesert-insectnocturnal-insectbrachypterous-insectsummer-insectarid-land-insectyucca-associated-insectNew-Mexico-insectArizona-insectUtah-insectTexas-insectsouthwestern-US-insectNorth-American-insectNearctic-insectTettigoniidae-insectOrthoptera-insectEnsifera-insectTettigoniinae-insectPlagiostirini-insectPlagiostira-insectP.-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldback-katydidgiant-katydidlarge-katydiddesert-katydidsand-dune-katydidyucca-katydidnocturnal-katydidbrachypterous-katydidsummer-katydidScudder's-katydid1876-katydidOrthopterankatydid-speciesshieldback-speciesTettigoniidae-speciesPlagiostira-speciesdesert-speciesarid-speciesnocturnal-speciesbrachypterous-speciessummer-speciesNew-Mexico-speciesArizona-speciesUtah-speciesTexas-speciessouthwestern-US-speciesNorth-American-speciesNearctic-speciesPoecilonota bridwelli
Poecilonota bridwelli is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Van Dyke in 1918 and occurs in Central America and North America. It belongs to a genus whose members are primarily associated with Salicaceae (poplars and willows).
Poecilonota californica
western poplar buprestid
Poecilonota californica, commonly known as the western poplar buprestid, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Chamberlin in 1922 and is endemic to North America. Like other members of the genus Poecilonota, this beetle exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Poecilonota cyanipes
eastern poplar buprestid, eastern poplar jewel beetle
Poecilonota cyanipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the eastern poplar buprestid or eastern poplar jewel beetle. The species is found throughout North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are associated exclusively with Populus and Salix species, where larvae develop in dead or dying branches. The specific epithet 'cyanipes' refers to the blue coloration of the feet. Despite being described as the best-known and most commonly collected American species of Poecilonota, field encounters can be infrequent and unpredictable, with abundance varying significantly based on timing and host plant condition.
Poecilonota thureura
Poecilonota thureura is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. It has been collected as prey by the biosurveillance wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which specializes in capturing buprestid beetles. The species is considered uncommon in collections.
Polycesta
jewel beetles
Polycesta is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae, tribe Polycestini. The genus contains approximately 60 described species distributed across North America, the Neotropics, and parts of the Palearctic region. Several species have been documented breeding in dead wood of various host plants, particularly in oak and mesquite habitats. The genus was established by Dejean in 1833 and includes notable species such as P. arizonica, P. californica, and P. cazieri, the latter having been reared from Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany).
Polycesta arizonica
Sky Island Polycesta
Polycesta arizonica is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Sky Island Polycesta. It belongs to the subgenus Polycesta (Arizonica) and is found in the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona. The species is associated with oak-juniper woodland habitats at moderate elevations.
Polycesta aruensis
Desert-dwelling Polycesta
Polycesta aruensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It is found in desert regions of southwestern North America and Central America. Adults have been observed on flowers and associated with partially dead trees, where they likely develop as larvae in the wood. The species exhibits synchronized emergence events that can produce temporary aggregations of adults.
Polycesta californica
Polycesta californica is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by LeConte in 1857. It belongs to the subgenus Tularensia within the genus Polycesta. The species is native to western North America, with records from California and surrounding regions. As a member of the jewel beetle family, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of Buprestidae.
Polycesta elata
Southern Plains Polycesta
Polycesta elata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with records from Texas and surrounding regions. The species develops in dead or dying hardwoods, particularly sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Polycesta flavomaculata
Polycesta flavomaculata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Nelson in 1960. The species is found in North America and belongs to the genus Polycesta, which comprises approximately 50 species distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Like other members of the Polycestinae subfamily, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Polycesta goryi
Polycesta goryi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America.
Polycesta hageni
Polycesta hageni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr in 1949. It is endemic to North America. Like other members of the genus Polycesta, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is rarely encountered and has only a handful of documented observations.
Polycesta tularensis
Polycesta tularensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Chamberlin in 1938. It belongs to the subgenus Tularensia within the genus Polycesta. The species is known from North America, with its specific epithet suggesting an association with Tulare County or the Tulare region of California. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops in dead or dying wood of its host plants.
Prasinalia
Prasinalia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) established by Casey in 1909. The genus contains at least two recognized species: Prasinalia cuneata (Horn, 1868) and Prasinalia imperialis (Barr, 1969). Based on field observations by buprestid specialists, species in this genus are considered significant finds for collectors and are associated with western North American habitats, particularly in southern California and the southwestern United States.
Ptosima
Redbud Borers, jewel beetles
Ptosima is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed across multiple continents. One species, Ptosima undecimmaculata, is a documented agricultural pest of grapevines, with larvae boring into stems and roots. Adults of at least some species feed on leaves and shoots of host plants. The common name "Redbud Borers" suggests association with Cercis (redbud) trees for certain species, though this relationship requires confirmation.
Ptosima idolynae
Ptosima idolynae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Frost in 1923. It is one of few documented species in the genus Ptosima, which contains small to medium-sized jewel beetles. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Ptosima laeta
Texas redbud borer
Ptosima laeta, commonly known as the Texas redbud borer, is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Waterhouse in 1882. The species is found in Central America and North America. As a member of Buprestidae, it belongs to a family commonly referred to as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles, characterized by their often striking metallic coloration and larvae that bore into wood.