Oak-associate
Guides
Agrilus sulcicollis
European oak borer
Agrilus sulcicollis, commonly known as the European oak borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Native to Europe and Northern Asia, it has been introduced to North America, with confirmed records in southern Ontario, Canada, and the northeastern United States. The species is associated with oak trees and is one of nine non-native Agrilus species established in North America.
Amphibolips femoratus
A species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, originally described by Ashmead in 1887 as Andricus femoratus before transfer to Amphibolips. Like other members of this genus, it induces galls on oaks (Quercus spp.). The species is documented from limited observations, with most records from North America.
Andricus burnetti
Andricus burnetti is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group renowned for inducing diverse and structurally complex galls on oak trees. As a member of the genus Andricus, this species participates in the intricate life cycle characteristic of cynipid wasps, where females lay eggs in oak tissues and the developing larvae secrete substances that redirect plant growth to form specialized galls. The species was described by Burnett, for whom it is named. Like many Andricus species, it likely exhibits host specificity to particular oak species, though detailed biological accounts remain limited in published literature.
Anelaphus dentatus
twig pruner
Anelaphus dentatus is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Chemsak in 1962. The species belongs to the twig pruner genus Anelaphus, whose larvae develop within living branches of deciduous trees and characteristically prune the branch internally before pupation. The cut end of pruned branches is distinctive and can be used to detect larval presence. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with oak (Quercus) hosts.
Anelaphus submoestus
Anelaphus submoestus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Linsley in 1942. The genus Anelaphus includes several twig pruner species whose larvae develop in living branches of deciduous trees, particularly oaks. Adults are typically active in spring and early summer. The species is known from North America, including Mexico and the United States.
Anelaphus villosus
Twig Pruner
Anelaphus villosus, commonly known as the twig pruner, is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) found in eastern North America. The species is notable for its distinctive larval behavior: larvae bore into living twigs and branches of deciduous trees, then cut through the wood internally before pupation, causing the branch tips to fall. The cut surface is characteristically smooth and concave, distinguishing it from similar twig-damaging beetles. Anelaphus parallelus has been synonymized with this species.
Archodontes
Archodontes is a monotypic genus of root-boring beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Archodontes melanopus. The genus is endemic to Central America and the south-eastern United States, where larvae bore into the roots of oaks and other hardwood trees. Adults are large, robust beetles with distinctive spiny thoracic margins and dark coloration.
Brachys
Leaf-mining jewel beetles
Brachys is a genus of small metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. The genus contains at least 140 described species distributed primarily in North America, with some species in Central and South America. Adults are characterized by their flattened, compact, wedge-shaped morphology—distinctly different from the more typical elongate, cylindrical form of most jewel beetles. This body plan reflects their unique larval habit of mining within leaves of host plants rather than boring through wood. The genus is strongly associated with oaks (Quercus) and other hardwoods, though some species utilize diverse host plant families.
BuprestidaeAgrilinaeTrachyinileaf-mineroak-associatejewel-beetlemetallic-wood-boring-beetlehardwood-forestphenologyNorth-AmericaSouth-AmericaCerradoQuercusBrachys-ovatusBrachys-aerosusBrachys-aeruginosusBrachys-querciBrachys-cephalicusBrachys-floccosusBrachys-barberiBrachys-rileyiBrachys-apacheiBrachys-cleidecostaeBrachys-tessellatusBrachys aeruginosus
Brachys aeruginosus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Gory in 1841. It belongs to the tribe Trachyini, a group characterized by flattened, compact, wedge-shaped adults whose larvae mine within leaves rather than boring through wood. The species is uncommonly encountered compared to congeners and is most often associated with oaks. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, Québec) and the United States.
Brachys floricola
Brachys floricola is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America and primarily found in the continental United States. It belongs to the genus Brachys, a group characterized by flattened, compact, wedge-shaped bodies and leaf-mining larval habits. Members of this genus typically mine the leaves of hardwood trees, particularly oaks (Quercus). The species is part of the tribe Trachyini, which exhibits highly derived morphology compared to other jewel beetles.
Brachys ovatus
Oval Jewel Beetle
Brachys ovatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is the largest of the three Brachys species occurring in Missouri, typically exceeding 5 mm in length. The species is a leaf-miner, with larvae developing within oak leaves rather than boring through wood. It is widely distributed across Central and North America.
Bucculatrix albertiella
Oak Ribbed Casemaker, Oak-ribbed Skeletonizer
A minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by August Busck in 1909. The species is restricted to the west coast of North America and is associated with oak hosts. Larvae are leaf miners that produce distinctive ribbed cocoons.
Clytus planifrons
Clytus planifrons is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. The species occurs along the Pacific coast of North America, with records from California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. As a member of the Clytini tribe, it belongs to a group of beetles often characterized by wasp-mimicking coloration and patterns.
Cylindrocopturus quercus
Cylindrocopturus quercus is a species of twig and stem weevil in the tribe Zygopini, family Curculionidae. It is native to North America and associated with oak hosts (Quercus). As a member of the Zygopini, it likely exhibits the typical life history of twig-boring weevils, with larvae developing within woody stems.
Dryocosmus quercusnotha
Furry Oak Leaf Gall Wasp
Dryocosmus quercusnotha is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1870. It is commonly known as the Furry Oak Leaf Gall Wasp. The species induces characteristic galls on oak leaves. It belongs to a genus whose members are primarily associated with oak (Quercus) hosts.
Dyseriocrania griseocapitella
Chinquapin leaf-miner, Chinquapin Leafminer Moth
Dyseriocrania griseocapitella is a small moth in the family Eriocraniidae, commonly known as the Chinquapin leaf-miner. Adults are active from late February to late May, with males having slightly larger wingspans than females. The larvae are leaf miners on Castanea and Quercus species, creating distinctive mines that begin as narrow serpentine tracks before expanding into large blotches.
Euclemensia
Euclemensia is a genus of small moths in the family Cosmopterigidae, subfamily Antequerinae. The genus contains at least five described species distributed in North America, including the Kermes Scale Moth (Euclemensia bassettella), which has been documented feeding on scale insects. These are minute moths, with adults typically measuring only a few millimeters in wingspan. The genus was established by Grote in 1878.
Euphoria herbacea
Olive Flower Beetle
Euphoria herbacea is a medium-sized scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as flower chafers or fruit chafers. Adults measure 15–16 mm and display an olive-green coloration. The species is endemic to the United States, with its distribution centered on the central plains and areas east of the Mississippi River. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to fermenting sap flows on trees and exhibits a distinctive flight morphology with hind wings that deploy while the elytra remain closed.
Euphoria monticola
Euphoria monticola is a species of flower scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. It was originally described by Henry Walter Bates in 1889. The species was formerly considered conspecific with Euphoria fulgida but was recognized as distinct in a 2012 revision by Jesus Orozco. It is primarily distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and mountainous regions of Mexico.
Graphisurus fasciatus
Banded Graphisurus
Graphisurus fasciatus is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lamiinae) found throughout eastern North America. It is one of three species in the genus Graphisurus occurring in Missouri and is notably the most commonly encountered of the three. The species was described by Degeer in 1775. It is primarily associated with oak (Quercus spp.) as a larval host.
Macrodiplosis erubescens
Marginal Leaf Fold Gall Midge
Macrodiplosis erubescens is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Marginal Leaf Fold Gall Midge. The species induces distinctive galls on oak leaves, specifically causing the leaf margins to fold or roll inward. It has been documented primarily in eastern North America. The specific epithet 'erubescens' refers to a reddish or blushing coloration, likely describing the gall or larval appearance.
Mastogenius crenulatus
Mastogenius crenulatus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1934. It is one of the smallest buprestids in North America, measuring approximately 2 mm in length. The genus Mastogenius is characterized by its diminutive size and cryptic dark coloration, making adults appear as tiny black dots on vegetation.
Mastogenius subcyaneus
Mastogenius subcyaneus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, one of the smallest members of the family in North America. Adults measure approximately 2 mm in length. The genus Mastogenius belongs to the tribe Trachyini, whose larvae exhibit the unusual habit of mining within leaves rather than boring through wood. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in oak woodland habitats.
Neuroterus quercusbatatus
Oak potato gall, Potato gall wasp
Neuroterus quercusbatatus is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive potato-shaped galls on oak leaves. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving alternating generations between leaf galls and other oak tissues. As a member of the diverse Neuroterus genus, it contributes to the remarkable gall-forming diversity associated with North American oaks. The species has been documented through hundreds of observations, indicating it is relatively common and widespread in suitable habitat.
Paranthrene asilipennis
Oak Stump Borer Moth
Paranthrene asilipennis, known as the Oak Stump Borer Moth, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. Like other sesiids, it exhibits wasp mimicry through transparent wings and a wasp-like body form. The species has been documented across Nearctic and Neotropical regions. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are associated with woody plants.
Phylloxera querceti
Phylloxera querceti is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. The species induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on oak species (Quercus), within which it develops and feeds. Like other phylloxerans, it has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and parthenogenetic generations, with overwintering eggs hatching in spring to produce fundatrices that initiate gall formation. The specific host associations and gall morphology distinguish it from congeners such as the economically significant grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae).
Stelidota octomaculata
Stelidota octomaculata is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, endemic to North America. Adults overwinter in forest litter and feed primarily on acorns, particularly damaged or germinating ones, beginning in March. Reproduction occurs in spring and early summer inside acorns both above and below ground. The species has been described as a chemical 'generalist' but behavioral 'specialist' compared to its congener S. geminata, showing reduced locomotion rates and different host-finding strategies. Laboratory studies indicate a life cycle of approximately 34 days at 22-26°C, with females producing up to 933 offspring.
Stenodontes chevrolati
Chevrolat's tropical long-horned beetle
Stenodontes chevrolati is a species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Prioninae. It is one of the largest cerambycid species in North America, with males reaching substantial size. The species occurs in the Caribbean and southern North America, where adults are attracted to lights and have been documented in oak woodland habitats. Larval development occurs in living oak trees, with adults emerging after several years of subterranean feeding on roots.