Conifer-bark-beetle
Guides
Lecontia discicollis
Burnt Conifer Bark Beetle
Lecontia discicollis is a distinctive conifer bark beetle in the family Boridae, the sole member of its genus in North America. It is a slow-moving, jet black beetle with a convex, bullet-like shape and bead-like antennae. The species is strongly associated with fire-killed conifers, particularly ponderosa pine, where adults and larvae occupy a narrow ecological niche in moist, white-rotted wood near and below ground level. Despite being locally common in suitable habitat, it is rarely encountered due to its specialized requirements.