Flower-visitors
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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-preyAsiloidea
asiloid flies
Asiloidea is a large superfamily of true flies (Diptera: Brachycera) with cosmopolitan distribution. It comprises approximately 11 families including the well-known Asilidae (robber/assassin flies), Bombyliidae (bee flies), Therevidae (stiletto flies), Mydidae (mydas flies), and Scenopinidae (window flies). Adult morphology is characterized by antennae with no more than 4 flagellomeres, leg empodium usually setiform or absent, and wing venation featuring an elongate cell cup with vein CuA2 ending freely or meeting A1 near the wing margin. Larval synapomorphies include posterior spiracles arising dorsally from the penultimate abdominal segment and, in most families except Bombyliidae and Hilarimorphidae, a modified cranium forming a hinged metacephalic rod.
DipteraBrachyceraAsiloidearobber-fliesbee-fliesstiletto-fliesmydas-flieswindow-fliescosmopolitanarid-habitatspredatory-larvaeflower-visitorsparasitoidsbiological-controlAsilidaeBombyliidaeTherevidaeMydidaeScenopinidaeApioceridaeApsilocephalidaeApystomyiidaeEvocoidaeHilarimorphidaeMythicomyiidaeProtapioceridaephylogenysystematicsvenomouspredatorymystaxmetacephalic-roddichopticholopticJurassicCretaceoustherevoid-cladeNamib-DesertCanary-IslandsSaudi-ArabiaDominicaChileGermanyfossilcybertaxonomyopen-accessZooKeysBohart-MuseumWorld-Robber-Fly-DayBuprestinae
jewel beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestinae is a subfamily of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 1,500+ species worldwide. The subfamily contains five recognized tribes: Anthaxiini, Buprestini, Chrysobothrini, Melanophilini, and Xenorhipidini. Members are characterized by their brilliant metallic coloration and sculptured bodies. Adults are primarily phytophagous, with many species visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. Larvae are predominantly wood-borers, though some exhibit leaf-mining habits in tropical regions. Several species are significant forestry pests or invasive species.
Cetoniinae
Fruit and Flower Chafers, Flower Chafers, Flower Scarabs, Flower Beetles
Cetoniinae is a diverse subfamily of scarab beetles comprising approximately 4,000 species, many still undescribed. Adults are commonly known as fruit and flower chafers due to their frequent association with flowers for pollen and nectar, and their consumption of fruit. Many species exhibit bright coloration and distinctive patterns. The subfamily is characterized by a unique flight mechanism in which the elytra remain closed during flight while the membranous hind wings deploy through a specialized hinge, producing a bee-like flight appearance. Members occupy varied habitats including forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and urban parks across tropical and temperate regions worldwide.
Chauliognathus
soldier beetles, leatherwings
A genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) comprising over 450 described species. Adults possess characteristically soft, flexible elytra that give rise to the common name 'leatherwings.' Many species exhibit red-and-black or orange-and-black coloration reminiscent of historical military uniforms. Adults are diurnal and frequently associated with flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae are primarily ground-dwelling predators. The genus occurs in the Americas and Australia, with notable species including the goldenrod soldier beetle (C. pensylvanicus) and the plague soldier beetle (C. lugubris).
Ebaeina
Ebaeina is a subtribe of soft-bodied plant beetles within the family Melyridae (order Coleoptera). Members of this subtribe are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra and generally small to medium body size. The subtribe is primarily distributed in the Holarctic region, with greatest diversity in western North America. Ebaeina beetles are often found in association with flowers and vegetation where they feed on pollen and small arthropods.
Gaurotes
Gaurotes is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with notable diversity in East Asia and North America. Species are typically small to medium-sized beetles with metallic coloration. The genus was established by LeConte in 1850 and includes several subgenera: Carilia, Gaurotes (sensu stricto), and Paragaurotes.
Hoplandriini
Hoplandriini rove beetles
Hoplandriini is a tribe of small rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) containing at least 5 genera and 21 described species. The tribe includes the genus Microlia, whose members are pollen-feeders frequently associated with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. Some species, such as Microlia cayaponia, have been observed foraging on Cayaponia flowers and may compete with pollinators for pollen resources. The tribe occurs in the New World and Australasia.
Hoplia
monkey beetles
Hoplia is a genus of scarab beetles commonly known as monkey beetles, comprising at least 300 described species distributed across Asia, Europe, South Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. The genus is notable for its diverse and often striking coloration strategies, including structural colors produced by nanostructured scales on the elytra. Several species exhibit remarkable optical properties, such as rapid reversible color change upon water exposure in H. argentea, or diffusive angle-independent structural coloration that may enhance camouflage. Adults of many species are associated with flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar, while larvae typically develop in soil or plant roots. Some species have become significant agricultural or turf pests, including H. philanthus in Europe and H. spectabilis in western China.
Judolia
Judolia is a genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1863 and contains approximately 14 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, with representatives in North America, Europe, and Asia. Species within this genus are typically associated with coniferous and deciduous forest habitats.
Kateretidae
Short-winged Flower Beetles
Kateretidae, commonly known as short-winged flower beetles, is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea. The family contains 10 extant and 4 extinct genera with at least 40 described species distributed worldwide except New Zealand. Adults feed on flowers (anthophagous), while larvae develop within flower corollas where they consume pollen (spermatophagous). The family has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with several Cretaceous amber fossils originally described as kateretids subsequently reclassified to other families.
Lordotus
Lordotus is a North American genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, containing approximately 30 described species. The genus is classified within the subfamily Lordotinae and tribe Lordotini. Members of this genus are found primarily in western and southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico. One species, Lordotus striatus, has been observed visiting flowers of Pseudoclappia arenaria in alkaline flats of tamarisk/saltbush chaparral in New Mexico.
Mordellistena
tumbling flower beetles
A large genus of tumbling flower beetles comprising over 450 described species distributed worldwide. Adults are commonly found on flowers where they feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae develop within stems of herbaceous plants or in decaying wood, with some species exhibiting specialized host associations including agricultural pests of sunflower. The genus has been subject to extensive taxonomic revision due to morphological similarity among species and the importance of male genitalia for identification.
Nemognathinae
blister beetles
Nemognathinae is a subfamily of blister beetles (Meloidae) characterized by highly modified adult mouthparts, with elongated maxillae adapted for feeding on nectar from deep-corolla flowers. The subfamily contains approximately 8 genera and at least 80-120 described species globally, distributed across all continents except New Zealand, eastern Polynesian Islands, and Antarctica. Members exhibit diverse morphological adaptations including sexually dimorphic antennae in some taxa, abbreviated elytra, and reduced hind wings in certain genera. The subfamily is divided into five tribes: Nemognathini, Horiini, Cissitini, Leptopalpini, and Stenoriini.
Neocaloreas
Neocaloreas is a genus of metalmark moths (family Choreutidae). These small moths are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and diurnal or crepuscular activity. The genus was established to accommodate species previously placed in related genera, particularly those from the Neotropical region. Members of Neocaloreas are associated with forested habitats and are often observed visiting flowers or perching on vegetation.
Notoxus haustrus
Notoxus haustrus is a species of ant-like flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. Members of the genus Notoxus are characterized by their elongated, narrow prothorax that projects forward into a distinct snout-like structure. The genus is diverse in North America, with many species found in arid and semi-arid regions. Like other anthicids, adults are typically found on flowers, foliage, or ground debris where they feed on pollen and small organic particles.
Parastasia
Parastasia is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, currently classified within the subfamily Rutelinae but with strong molecular evidence suggesting placement in the subfamily Dynastinae near the tribe Cyclocephalini. The genus occurs in Southeast Asia and includes at least four described species. Adults are associated with the flowers of aroid plants (Araceae), particularly Amorphophallus and Epipremnum.
Thyris
window-winged moths
Thyris is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by distinctive square or rectangular translucent spots in their wings that give the group its common name. These small, often diurnal moths are primarily pantropical in distribution, with approximately 12 species known from North America among over 760 species worldwide. The genus includes species such as Thyris maculata, which ranges widely across North America from Ontario to Georgia, Texas, and west to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. Adults typically fly between March and October, with peak activity in May through July.
Trichodes
checkered beetles
Trichodes is a genus of checkered beetles (family Cleridae) containing approximately 64 species, with 11 species occurring in North America. The genus includes some of the largest and most strikingly colored members of the family. Adults are frequently found on flowers where they feed on pollen and nectar, while larvae are specialized predators that develop within the nests of bees and wasps.