Flight-morphology
Guides
Acmaeodera
Acmaeodera is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) with over 150 species in North America, reaching greatest diversity in the desert southwest and Mexico. Adults are metallic, often with distinctive color patterns, and are frequently observed visiting flowers to feed on pollen. The genus is distinguished by unique flight morphology: elytra are fused along the midline and remain closed during flight, functioning as a protective shield over the abdomen while only the hindwings provide propulsion. This trait, combined with abdominal banding in many species, creates a wasp-like appearance in flight and has led to recognition of several species as hymenopteran mimics. Larvae are wood-borers in twigs and branches of various woody plants.
Buprestidaejewel-beetlesmetallic-wood-boring-beetlesflower-visitorspollen-feederselytra-fusionflight-morphologyhymenopteran-mimicrywood-borersNorth-AmericaMexicoArizonaTexasCaliforniaNew-MexicoOklahomaAlbertaAsteraceaeCercocarpusspring-activemonsoon-activefall-activetaxonomically-difficultcollector's-itemdiurnalCerceris-preyHamadryas februa
Gray Cracker, Grey Cracker
Hamadryas februa is a cracker butterfly (Nymphalidae) ranging from Argentina through tropical America to Mexico, with rare strays reaching southern Texas. Adults feed on sap and rotting fruit, while larvae specialize on Dalechampia and Tragia species (Euphorbiaceae). The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in flight-related morphology, with females being larger and more dispersive than males. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 33–34 days under laboratory conditions.