Gutierrezia-associate

Guides

• Crossidius discoideus

  Orange-bracketed Longhorned Beetle

  Crossidius discoideus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are notable for their striking orange-and-black coloration, which closely mimics that of toxic soldier beetles (Chauliognathus spp.) and blister beetles (Epicauta spp.) through Batesian mimicry. The species is strongly associated with flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed), where adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae develop in the root crowns of broom snakeweed and related Isocoma species (Jimmyweed).

  mimicryBatesian-mimicryflower-visiting-beetleroot-borerGutierrezia-associatewestern-North-Americalate-summer-activityCerambycidaelonghorned-beetle

• Crossidius discoideus blandi

  Crossidius discoideus blandi is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults exhibit Batesian mimicry, resembling toxic soldier beetles (Chauliognathus spp.) and blister beetles (Epicauta spp.) with their black and orange coloration. The species is associated with flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed), where adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae bore in the root crowns of the host plant. This subspecies is part of a broader mimicry complex involving multiple beetle families in western North American habitats.

  Batesian-mimicryMüllerian-mimicryflower-visiting-beetleroot-borerautumn-activitywestern-North-AmericaGutierrezia-associate