Jewel-beetle
Guides
Chrysobothris carmelita
Chrysobothris chrysoela chrysoela
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Members of the species Chrysobothris chrysoela occur in Florida and are associated with oak habitats. The subspecies is part of a genus containing numerous economically important wood-boring beetles, many of which are difficult to identify due to reliance on suites of subtle morphological characters rather than single diagnostic features.
Chrysobothris convexa
Chrysobothris convexa is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1907. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Chrysobothris, it belongs to one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of North American beetles. The genus is characterized by cryptic coloration, alert behavior, and association with woody plants. Available information about this specific species is extremely limited, with only a single observation record documented in iNaturalist and no detailed biological studies published.
Chrysobothris costifrons
Chrysobothris costifrons is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. It belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles whose larvae typically develop in woody plants. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies. Adults are attracted to recently dead or stressed woody hosts.
Chrysobothris costifrons costifrons
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Larval morphology has been described from specimens in the H. E. Burke Collection. The species belongs to a genus of wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in living or dead woody plants.
Chrysobothris crandalli
Chrysobothris crandalli is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Knull in 1943, this species is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits. The species is part of a large and taxonomically challenging genus containing numerous closely related species that are often difficult to distinguish.
Chrysobothris culbersoniana
Chrysobothris culbersoniana is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1943. It belongs to the Chrysobothris femorata species group, a taxonomically challenging complex of wood-boring beetles that was revised by Wellso and Manley in 2007. The species is known from limited records in North America, with observations documented from Texas and New Mexico.
Chrysobothris cupressicona
flatheaded cypress cone borer
Chrysobothris cupressicona is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr and Westcott in 1976. The species is commonly known as the flatheaded cypress cone borer, indicating an association with cypress. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a member of the jewel beetle group characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits.
Chrysobothris debilis
Chrysobothris debilis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1860. The species belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American buprestid species. Like other members of this genus, it likely exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Chrysobothris dentipes
Spurred Metallic Wood-borer
Chrysobothris dentipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Spurred Metallic Wood-borer. It is one of the most widespread species in its genus, occurring across much of North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern Mexico. Adults are frequently encountered on dead pine wood, particularly on exposed roots and trunks of recently dead pines. The species was among the earliest described in the genus Chrysobothris, with the specific epithet referring to the toothed spine on the front femora.
Chrysobothris dolata
Chrysobothris dolata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1886. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains over 300 species in North America. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and distribution within the continent remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Chrysobothris dudleyaphaga
Chrysobothris dudleyaphaga is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott in 2007 from California and Baja California. It represents a significant host association discovery, being the first buprestid documented to feed on Dudleya species (Crassulaceae). This finding established that both larval and adult Buprestidae utilize hosts in the Crassulaceae plant family. The species was described with detailed biological notes in its original description.
Chrysobothris edwardsii
Ocotillo borer
Chrysobothris edwardsii is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is commonly known as the Ocotillo borer, suggesting an association with Fouquieria species. It occurs in Central America and North America, with distribution records from both regions. As a member of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely exhibits the typical jewel beetle biology of larval development in woody plants, though specific details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Chrysobothris ephedrae
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1942. Two subspecies are recognized: C. e. ephedrae and C. e. vogti (Knull, 1964). The species is known from North America. Specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris ephedrae vogti
Chrysobothris ephedrae vogti is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the Chrysobothris femorata species-group, a complex of closely related species that have historically been difficult to distinguish. The subspecies was described by Knull in 1964. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details for this subspecies remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris eriogoni
Chrysobothris eriogoni is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott in 2005 from specimens collected in Oregon and Washington. As a member of the speciose genus Chrysobothris, it belongs to a group of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The species epithet 'eriogoni' suggests a potential association with Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), though this host relationship has not been explicitly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris fragariae
Chrysobothris fragariae is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1930. It belongs to the genus Chrysobothris, one of the most diverse genera of North American buprestids. The species epithet "fragariae" suggests an association with Fragaria (strawberry), though this host relationship has not been confirmed in the available literature. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a wood-boring beetle with larvae developing in dead or dying woody plants.
Chrysobothris harrisi
Chrysobothris harrisi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Hentz in 1827 and is sometimes misspelled as "harrisii". It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species of jewel beetles in North America. Like other members of its genus, this species exhibits metallic coloration typical of buprestid beetles.
Chrysobothris hubbardi
Chrysobothris hubbardi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1942. The species is part of the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American jewel beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Available information about this species is extremely limited, with only basic taxonomic documentation and distribution records confirming its presence in North America.
Chrysobothris knulli
Knull's Chrysobothris
Chrysobothris knulli is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Nelson in 1975 and is known from Central America and North America. The species is named in honor of Josef Knull, a prominent American entomologist who specialized in Buprestidae. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with woody plants, though specific host records remain limited.
Chrysobothris lateralis
Chrysobothris lateralis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As with other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to have wood-boring larvae that develop within host plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris lixa
Chrysobothris lixa is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1886. Like other members of this large genus, it exhibits the characteristic jewel-like metallic coloration typical of buprestid beetles. The species occurs across Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as those in the C. femorata species-group.
Chrysobothris ludificata Horn, 1886
Chrysobothris ludificata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1886. It is a member of the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species that are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and habitat preferences remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris micromorpha
Chrysobothris micromorpha is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1907. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous wood-boring species in North America. Like other members of this genus, it is likely associated with dead or dying woody plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species is known from both North America and Middle America based on occurrence records.
Chrysobothris neopusilla
Chrysobothris neopusilla is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1942. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle with the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Chrysobothris octocola
Chrysobothris octocola is a metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is strongly associated with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), where adults are found on dead or stressed branches and larvae develop in the wood. It represents a notable range extension into Oklahoma, where it was first documented in 2012. The species exhibits fall adult activity and has been collected in association with juniper in some areas, though mesquite remains the primary documented host.
Chrysobothris orono
Chrysobothris orono is a rarely collected metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was first described by Frost in 1920 and has been recorded from a limited number of localities along the eastern seaboard and around the Great Lakes, with a 2012 discovery in Tennessee confirming its occurrence in that state. Adults are associated with exposed roots and trunks of pine trees, particularly Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) and red pine (Pinus resinosa). The species has a two-year life cycle and is not considered an economically important forest pest due to its low population levels and minimal damage to host trees.
Chrysobothris piuta
Chrysobothris piuta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. The species has been documented as breeding within dead branches of Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany), with which it has a confirmed host association. It is one of approximately two dozen jewel beetle species associated with Cercocarpus in North America.
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae) described by Obenberger in 1940. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species often associated with woody host plants. The species is recorded from both North America and Central America. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops as a larva in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris pseudotsugae
Chrysobothris pseudotsugae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Van Dyke in 1916. The specific epithet "pseudotsugae" indicates an association with Pseudotsuga (Douglas-fir), though detailed biological information remains limited. The species is recorded from western North America, particularly British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though this has not been explicitly documented.
Chrysobothris purpureoplagiata
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1904. The specific epithet refers to purple markings on the elytra. It belongs to the speciose genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species with difficult taxonomy and often subtle diagnostic characters.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata
Chrysobothris purpureovittata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is notable among its congeners for being exceptionally polyphagous, with documented larval hosts spanning over two dozen species of deciduous trees across 21 genera and 11 plant families. The species occurs primarily in the central and south-central United States, with two recognized subspecies: the nominate form and C. p. cercocarpi, which is restricted to mountain mahogany in New Mexico.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata cercocarpi
Chrysobothris purpureovittata cercocarpi is a subspecies of jewel beetle described from a population at Cloudcroft, New Mexico, associated exclusively with mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus). It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by having an entirely red pronotum and uniformly dark elytra. The species belongs to a genus where most members exhibit host specificity, though the nominate subspecies is notably polyphagous. This western population represents a rare case of host specialization within an otherwise generalist species.
Chrysobothris purpureovittata purpureovittata
Chrysobothris purpureovittata purpureovittata is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed primarily in the central and south-central United States. This taxon is notable for its exceptional polyphagy, having been reared from more than two dozen species of deciduous trees across eleven plant families. Adults are typically encountered by beating foliage, particularly of hackberry (Celtis spp.) and other members of Ulmaceae, though larval hosts span multiple families including Rosaceae, Fagaceae, and Rhamnaceae.
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa
Four-impressed Chrysobothris
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa is a jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, belonging to the Chrysobothris femorata species group. This species was originally described in 1837, subsequently synonymized, and resurrected in the 2007 revision by Wellso and Manley. It occurs across eastern North America west to the Continental Divide and is primarily associated with oak (Quercus) hosts. The species is distinguished from closely related members of the C. femorata group by subtle morphological characters of the pygidium and elytra.
Chrysobothris rugosiceps
Chrysobothris rugosiceps is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1845. It belongs to the taxonomically challenging C. femorata species group, which was revised in 2007 to include twelve species. The original type specimen is lost, and a neotype has been designated. Adults are active on dead oak branches and trunks during daylight hours.
Chrysobothris schistomorion
Chrysobothris schistomorion is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described in 2001 by Westcott & Davidson. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species often associated with woody host plants. The specific epithet refers to its resemblance to schist (a type of metamorphic rock), likely alluding to coloration or surface texture. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a wood-boring beetle with larvae developing in dead or dying wood.
Chrysobothris seminole
Chrysobothris seminole is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 as part of a revision of the Chrysobothris femorata species-group. It is notable as the only member of this species-group associated with a non-woody host plant. The species has a highly restricted distribution in the southeastern United States and is considered rare, with only a few individuals documented at its type locality.
Chrysobothris serripes
Chrysobothris serripes is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous wood-boring species associated with various host plants. The specific epithet "serripes" refers to the serrated or saw-like nature of the legs, though detailed biological information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature. As with many Chrysobothris species, it is presumed to develop in woody plant material, though specific host associations have not been documented in the sources consulted.
Chrysobothris sexsignata
Six-marked Jewel Beetle
Chrysobothris sexsignata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Six-marked Jewel Beetle. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island) and the United States. The species is one of several Chrysobothris species that serve as prey for the specialist crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis.
Chrysobothris socialis apache
Chrysobothris socialis apache is a subspecies of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Westcott & Barr in 2007. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species associated with woody plants. The subspecies is part of the Chrysobothris socialis species complex. Like other members of this genus, it likely develops as a larva in the wood of living or dead trees and shrubs, with adults active during the warmer months. The subspecific epithet "apache" suggests a southwestern U.S. distribution, potentially associated with Apache tribal lands or geographic regions in Arizona, New Mexico, or adjacent areas.
Chrysobothris speculifer Horn, 1886
metallic wood-boring beetle
Chrysobothris speculifer is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Horn in 1886. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species that are often difficult to distinguish. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and distribution within this range remain limited in available sources.
Chrysobothris subcylindrica
Chrysobothris subcylindrica is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America. This species belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles whose members are typically associated with woody host plants.
Chrysobothris texana
Chrysobothris texana is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1860 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain limited in the available literature.
Chrysobothris verdigripennis
Chrysobothris verdigripennis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Frost in 1910. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a buprestid beetle with larvae that develop in wood, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris viridicyanea
Chrysobothris viridicyanea is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Horn in 1886. It is distributed across North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is a jewel beetle characterized by metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits. The specific epithet combines Latin roots meaning "green-blue," likely referring to its metallic coloration.
Chrysobothris vulcanica
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, found in western North America. The species is named for its volcanic association, with records from volcanic regions of the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it develops in dead or dying wood, though specific host plant associations remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Chrysobothris wickhami
Chrysobothris wickhami is a jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Fisher in 1942. The species belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, a group of wood-boring beetles commonly known as flatheaded borers. Like other members of the Chrysobothris femorata species-group, it is likely associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in current taxonomic databases.
Chrysobothris woodgatei
Chrysobothris woodgatei is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Champlain and Knull in 1922. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, a group of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as those in the C. femorata species-group.
Dicerca callosa
Dicerca callosa is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Casey in 1909, it is native to North America. The species includes two recognized subspecies: Dicerca callosa callosa and Dicerca callosa frosti. Like other members of the genus Dicerca, it is likely associated with dead or dying woody plants, though specific host records for this species remain limited.