Jewel-beetles
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-preyAcmaeodera parkeri
Acmaeodera parkeri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Cazier in 1940. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of several plant species, including Allionia incarnata (creeping four o'clock), Talinum whitei (White's flameflower), and Evolvulus arizonicus (Arizona blue-eyes).
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Acmaeoderina is a subtribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) within the tribe Acmaeoderini. Members of this group are characterized by their association with the Acmaeodera generic lineage. The subtribe was established by Kerremans in 1893 and includes genera such as Acmaeodera, Acmaeoderopsis, and Anambodera. These beetles are typically small to medium-sized with metallic coloration, and their larvae are wood-borers in various hardwood trees.
Acmaeoderini
Acmaeoderini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae) comprising at least 4 genera and more than 560 described species worldwide. The tribe includes the hyperdiverse genus Acmaeodera, which accounts for approximately three-fifths of North American jewel beetle diversity. Members are characterized by metallic coloration and are taxonomically challenging due to extreme intraspecific variability and poorly defined species limits. Larvae are predominantly wood-borers with documented associations across multiple plant families, while adults are frequently anthophilous.
Acmaeoderopsis
Acmaeoderopsis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 12 described species distributed in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus was established by Barr in 1974 and includes species associated with mesquite (Prosopis) and other woody legumes. Adults are small, typically vittate (striped) buprestids that are active during hot summer months and can be collected by beating host vegetation.
Actenodini
Actenodini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) within the subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members are characterized by their distinctive morphology and association with woody host plants. The tribe contains the genus Actenodes, which includes species found in North America. These beetles are part of the chrysobothrioid lineage within the Buprestidae, sharing evolutionary relationships with other wood-boring buprestid groups. The tribe is of interest to coleopterists studying North American jewel beetle diversity and host associations.
Agrilaxia
Agrilaxia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 80 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Kerremans in 1903 and belongs to the tribe Anthaxiini. Species are typically small, often metallic beetles. Several species have been documented visiting flowers, a behavior that is relatively uncommon among buprestid beetles. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with recent work describing new species from French Guiana and clarifying relationships with related genera such as Anthaxia.
Agrilini
Agrilini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, subfamily Agrilinae. The tribe comprises at least 40 described genera and over 180 described species, distributed across multiple subtribes including Agrilina, Amorphosternina, Amyiina, and Rhaeboscelidina. The genus Agrilus, the largest genus in the tribe, contains numerous species including several significant forest pests such as the emerald ash borer (A. planipennis).
Agrilus
jewel beetles, metallic woodboring beetles
Agrilus is a hyperdiverse genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) containing nearly 4,000 described species and potentially representing the largest genus in the animal kingdom. Species are primarily twig and branch borers, with larvae developing in recently dead wood, though notable exceptions attack living trees. The genus exhibits remarkable host specificity ranging from highly monophagous to oligophagous associations, exclusively with angiosperms—no species are known to utilize conifers. Adults are typically found on foliage of larval hosts rather than flowers, with sexual dimorphism occurring in some species.
Anambodera
Anambodera is a genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) established by Barr in 1974. The genus comprises seven described species distributed in western North America. Unlike the closely related and flower-visiting genus Acmaeodera, Anambodera species exhibit more cryptic habits, often found alighting on rock surfaces or bare soil rather than on flowers. The genus remains incompletely known and is currently undergoing revision.
Anthaxia
Anthaxia is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae, tribe Anthaxiini) containing numerous species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan regions. The genus is divided into seven subgenera: Anthaxia (Anthaxia), Haplanthaxia, Melanthaxia, Cratomerus, Merocratus, Thailandia, and Richteraxia. Species are primarily associated with woody host plants, with larvae developing in dead branches or living stems of various trees and shrubs. Adults are frequently observed visiting flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar.
Anthaxiini
Anthaxiini is a tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) characterized by small to medium-sized, often metallic species. The tribe includes the genus Anthaxia, one of the largest genera in Buprestidae, with numerous species distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Members of this tribe exhibit considerable morphological diversity and have been subject to extensive taxonomic revision due to the complexity of species-level identification.
Brachyina
Brachyina is a subtribe within the tribe Trachyini (family Buprestidae), established by Cobos in 1979. The subtribe includes small to minute metallic wood-boring beetles, with Taphrocerus being the primary genus in North America. Members are characterized by their compact body form and association with herbaceous or woody vegetation. The group is taxonomically stable but relatively understudied compared to other buprestid lineages.
Buprestinae
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.
Buprestini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, established by Leach in 1815. The tribe contains approximately eight genera organized into four subtribes: Agaeocerina, Buprestina, Lamprocheilina, and Trachykelina. Notable genera include Buprestis (the type genus), Eurythyrea, Trachykele, and Lamprocheila. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Buprestis
jewel beetles
Buprestis is a genus of jewel beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Buprestini. As of 2011, approximately 78 described species were recognized, distributed across most of the world's biogeographic realms except parts of Africa and Antarctica. The genus exhibits striking metallic coloration in shades of yellow, green, copper, and red. Species vary in size and subgeneric classification, with recognized subgenera including Cypriacis, Knulliobuprestis, and Stereosa. Some species are considered rare and are highly sought by collectors.
Chrysobothrini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Chrysobothrini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, containing at least three genera and approximately 140 described species. The tribe includes the large and economically significant genus Chrysobothris, whose members are primarily wood-borers associated with various tree and shrub hosts. Species in this tribe are characterized by their metallic coloration and cylindrical body form typical of the family. The group has been subject to taxonomic revision, particularly the Chrysobothris femorata species complex, which was recently redefined to recognize numerous cryptic species.
Chrysobothris
metallic wood-boring beetles, flatheaded borers
Chrysobothris is a large genus of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) containing at least 690 described species. Members are characterized by their flattened, streamlined bodies and often striking metallic coloration. The genus includes economically important pests of fruit trees, shade trees, and forest trees, as well as numerous species with narrower host associations. Species identification is notoriously difficult due to high diversity, morphological similarity among closely related taxa, and the existence of numerous cryptic species complexes.
Dicercina
Dicercina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae. It contains at least two genera, Dicerca and Lampetis, with approximately 20 described species. The subtribe belongs to the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Dicercini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Dicercini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 30 genera and more than 750 described species. Members are characterized by their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The tribe includes economically significant species such as Dicerca asperata, which has been documented overwintering as larvae inside dead branches of living trees. The tribe is classified within subfamily Chrysochroinae and is distributed across multiple biogeographic regions.
Haplostethini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Haplostethini is a tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) within the subfamily Polycestinae. The tribe comprises at least 10 genera and more than 60 described species. Members are small to moderately sized metallic wood-boring beetles distributed across multiple continents. The genus Mastogenius is the most well-known in North America, with species occurring in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The tribe was established by LeConte in 1861.
Hesperorhipis
Hesperorhipis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing four described species distributed in the southwestern United States. The genus belongs to the tribe Xenorhipidini, characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments, while females retain serrated antennae. Species in this genus exhibit abbreviated elytra that expose much of the abdomen, a trait that distinguishes them from related genera. The genus was established by Fall in 1930 and is currently under revision.
Hippomelanina
Hippomelanina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, established by Holynski in 1993. It comprises at least four genera—Barrellus, Gyascutus, Hippomelas, and Prasinalia—and approximately 15 described species. Members of this subtribe are classified within the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. The subtribe represents a relatively small but distinct lineage within the diverse jewel beetle fauna.
Knowltonia
Burnleafs
Knowltonia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in western North America. The genus contains four species characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess highly modified, bipectinate (biflabellate) antennae with dual projections from terminal antennomeres, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This antennal modification is presumed to function in detecting female sex pheromones. The genus is notable for its independent evolution of male antennal elaboration similar to that seen in the tribe Xenorhipidini and other disparate buprestid taxa.
Lampetis
Eyed Jewel Beetles
Lampetis is a large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising nearly 300 species worldwide. Adults are typically large, conspicuous beetles with brilliant metallic coloration. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, South America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Larval biology remains poorly known for most species, with development suspected to occur in living wood below the soil line—a habit that explains the rarity of larval discoveries.
Mastogenius
Mastogenius is a genus of minute jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) characterized by extremely small body size—adults measure approximately 2 mm in length. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America and into South America. Adults are typically collected by beating oak foliage, and at least one species has been recorded from Florida sand oak (Quercus geminata). The genus is among the smallest buprestids in North America, making field identification challenging without close examination.
Paragrilus
Paragrilus is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Agrilinae, native to the Americas. The genus contains approximately 70 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America, with four species occurring in the United States. Species are generally small, dark-colored beetles with reduced metallic luster compared to many other buprestids. They are distinguished from the related and more diverse genus Agrilus by their antennae, which can be received into grooves along the sides of the pronotum.
Parauleutes
Parauleutes is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae. The genus is closely related to Acmaeodera and is restricted to western North America. Species within Parauleutes remain poorly represented in collections due to cryptic habits, and the genus is currently in need of taxonomic revision with multiple undescribed species known to exist.
Ptosima
Redbud Borers, jewel beetles
Ptosima is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed across multiple continents. One species, Ptosima undecimmaculata, is a documented agricultural pest of grapevines, with larvae boring into stems and roots. Adults of at least some species feed on leaves and shoots of host plants. The common name "Redbud Borers" suggests association with Cercis (redbud) trees for certain species, though this relationship requires confirmation.
Sphaerobothris
Sphaerobothris is a genus of jewel beetles in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Buprestinae, and tribe Chrysobothrini. The genus was established by Semenov-Tian-Shanskij and Richter in 1934. It contains five described species distributed in North America, with S. ulkei being the most frequently encountered and collected by entomologists. Members of this genus are associated with Ephedra (joint-fir) as host plants.
Sphenoptera
A large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising over 1,000 described species. Species occupy diverse ecological niches including stem borers, gall formers, and root borers across multiple continents. Several species are economically significant as pests of agricultural crops, forestry trees, and medicinal plants, while others have been investigated for biological control of invasive weeds.
Trachykele
Trachykele is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing six described species distributed in North America. The genus belongs to the subtribe Trachykelina within the tribe Buprestini. At least one species, Trachykele blondeli, has been documented developing in red cedar (Thuja plicata) in western North America, with larvae feeding internally in the wood and adults emerging from trees. The genus is part of the diverse metallic woodboring beetle fauna of the Nearctic region.
Trichinorhipis
Trichinorhipis is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) endemic to southern California. The sole species, Trichinorhipis knulli, measures under 4 mm and exhibits distinctive sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess fan-like (flabellate) antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones, while females have unmodified serrate antennae. The genus is placed in its own subtribe (Trichinorphidina) within the tribe Xenorhipidini due to unique morphological characters distinguishing it from related genera Hesperorhipis and Xenorhipis.
Xenorhipidina
Xenorhipidina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) established by Cobos in 1986. It is classified within the tribe Xenorhipidini, which belongs to the subfamily Buprestinae. The subtribe is part of the anthaxioid lineage within the buprestid phylogeny. The genus Hesperorhipis, described by Fall in 1930, is the primary genus assigned to this subtribe.
Xenorhipidini
Xenorhipidini is a small tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 8 described species across three genera. The tribe is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments covered in olfactory sensillae, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This modification, unique among non-monotypic buprestid tribes, is associated with pheromone detection. Members are found in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America and the West Indies.
Xenorhipis
Xenorhipis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) native to the Americas, comprising approximately 15 described species. The genus is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments, while females retain the serrate condition typical of the family. This antennal modification, shared with related genera in the tribe Xenorhipidini, functions in detecting female sex pheromones. Adults are short-lived and rarely encountered in the field.