Dead-wood-inhabitant
Guides
Agrilus geronimoi
Agrilus geronimoi is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Knull in 1950. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it is a twig and branch borer whose larvae develop in recently dead wood. The species is known from North America, specifically recorded from the southwestern United States. Like most Agrilus species, adults are likely found on the foliage of their larval host plants rather than visiting flowers.
Astylopsis
Astylopsis is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Acanthocinini. It was established by Thomas L. Casey in 1913. The genus contains at least five North American species, including A. sexguttata, which has been observed developing in dead pine stems. Members are associated with dead or dying coniferous and deciduous wood.
Astylopsis sexguttata
Six-speckled Long-horned Beetle
Astylopsis sexguttata is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, first described by Thomas Say in 1827. It is commonly known as the Six-speckled Long-horned Beetle. The species is associated with coniferous trees, particularly pines, where larvae bore into dead or dying wood. Adults are active during warmer months and can be found in forested habitats across eastern North America.
Cyrtinus pygmaeus
Cyrtinus pygmaeus is an exceptionally small species of longhorned beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae. At only 2–3 millimeters in length, it is the smallest member of the family Cerambycidae in North America. The species exhibits remarkable ant mimicry, with elytra bearing two prominent humps near their bases and bands of white pubescence creating the illusion of a narrow-waisted ant. It has been reared from dead branches of various hardwood trees including river birch, chinquapin oak, willow oak, and black oak. Despite being described in 1847 and considered widespread across eastern North America, it remains infrequently encountered in the field due to its diminutive size and effective mimicry.
Phyllobaenus verticalis
Vertical-lined Phyllobaenus
Phyllobaenus verticalis is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the United States. Larvae develop within dead hardwood, where they prey upon wood-boring beetles. The species is part of a diverse genus of predatory beetles commonly associated with woody habitats.