Polycestinae
Guides
Acmaeodera comata
Acmaeodera comata is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the genus Acmaeodera, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. It belongs to the Nearctic fauna and is one of approximately 790 species and subspecies of Buprestidae recognized in North America. The species is part of the Acmaeodera (s. str.) subgenus and is included in the 'Truncatae' group, characterized by a nearly straight prosternal margin that is not retracted from the sides. Like other members of this large and taxonomically challenging genus, A. comata is poorly known biologically and lacks modern taxonomic revision.
Acmaeoderina
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.
Acmaeoderoides distinctus
Acmaeoderoides distinctus is a small jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Gayle H. Nelson in 1968. It belongs to the genus Acmaeoderoides, a group of North American buprestids characterized by their compact body form and association with woody vegetation. The species occurs in shortgrass prairie habitats in the western Great Plains. Like other members of its family, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though specific host records remain undocumented. The genus is taxonomically significant as one of the more derived lineages within the Acmaeoderini.
Acmaeoderoides humeralis
Acmaeoderoides humeralis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, found in North America. It belongs to the genus Acmaeoderoides, which is part of the Acmaeoderoid lineage within the subfamily Polycestinae. The species was described by Cazier in 1938 and is native to the Nearctic region.
Acmaeoderoides knulli
Acmaeoderoides knulli is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Nelson in 1968. The genus Acmaeoderoides belongs to the subtribe Acmaeoderoideina within the tribe Acmaeoderini. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented in available literature.
Acmaeoderoides stramineus
Acmaeoderoides stramineus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Nelson in 1968. It belongs to the genus Acmaeoderoides, a small Nearctic genus within the subtribe Acmaeoderoïdina. The species is found in North America. Like other members of Buprestidae, it exhibits metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Beerellus
Beerellus is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing a single described species, Beerellus taxodii. The genus was established by Nelson in 1982 and is classified within the subfamily Polycestinae. Very little is known about this genus beyond its taxonomic placement and the description of its sole species.
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.
Paratyndaris
Paratyndaris is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae) comprising 36 described species distributed across southwestern North America, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. The genus was revised by Nelson & Bellamy (2004), who recognized three subgenera: Knulliella (6 species), Paratyndaris (26 species), and Waltersia (4 species). Species in this genus are typically associated with dead or dying wood of woody plants, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus is taxonomically significant as one of the more diverse lineages within the tribe Tyndarini.
Paratyndaris acaciae
Paratyndaris acaciae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is found in Central America and North America, with the specific epithet suggesting an association with Acacia host plants. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with woody leguminous plants and is typically collected by beating dead or dying branches.
Paratyndaris albofasciata
Paratyndaris albofasciata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1937. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is known from Central America and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the accessible literature.
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Originally described as Tyndaris chamaeleonis by Skinner in 1903, it was later transferred to the genus Paratyndaris. The species belongs to the subgenus Knulliella, one of three subgenera recognized in the genus. It is found in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Paratyndaris cincta
Paratyndaris cincta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris), one of three subgenera recognized in the genus Paratyndaris. The species was described by Horn in 1885. It is distributed across Central America and North America.
Paratyndaris coursetiae
Paratyndaris coursetiae is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Fisher in 1919 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris). The genus Paratyndaris is primarily distributed in southwestern North America and Mexico, with most species associated with woody host plants.
Paratyndaris knulli
Paratyndaris knulli is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, placed in the subgenus Waltersia. It was originally described by Barr in 1972 and occurs in Central America and North America. The genus Paratyndaris is a largely southwestern and Mexican group of jewel beetles, with P. knulli being one of four species in its subgenus. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with dead woody vegetation.
Paratyndaris olneyae
Paratyndaris olneyae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described as Tyndaris olneyae by Skinner in 1903. It is classified in the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris, a predominantly southwestern North American and Mexican group. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Paratyndaris suturalis
Paratyndaris suturalis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fall in 1934. It belongs to the subgenus Knulliella within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is distributed across the Caribbean Sea and North America, with records from the Neotropical region. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Paratyndaris tucsoni
Paratyndaris tucsoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Knull in 1938 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) Fisher. The genus Paratyndaris is a southwestern and Mexican group of beetles that are often poorly represented in collections. A 2004 revision by Nelson & Bellamy recognized three subgenera within Paratyndaris and provided comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus.
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.
Polycesta
jewel beetles
Polycesta is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae, tribe Polycestini. The genus contains approximately 60 described species distributed across North America, the Neotropics, and parts of the Palearctic region. Several species have been documented breeding in dead wood of various host plants, particularly in oak and mesquite habitats. The genus was established by Dejean in 1833 and includes notable species such as P. arizonica, P. californica, and P. cazieri, the latter having been reared from Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany).
Polycesta arizonica
Sky Island Polycesta
Polycesta arizonica is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Sky Island Polycesta. It belongs to the subgenus Polycesta (Arizonica) and is found in the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona. The species is associated with oak-juniper woodland habitats at moderate elevations.
Polycesta aruensis
Desert-dwelling Polycesta
Polycesta aruensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It is found in desert regions of southwestern North America and Central America. Adults have been observed on flowers and associated with partially dead trees, where they likely develop as larvae in the wood. The species exhibits synchronized emergence events that can produce temporary aggregations of adults.
Polycesta flavomaculata
Polycesta flavomaculata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Nelson in 1960. The species is found in North America and belongs to the genus Polycesta, which comprises approximately 50 species distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Like other members of the Polycestinae subfamily, it exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Polycesta tularensis
Polycesta tularensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Chamberlin in 1938. It belongs to the subgenus Tularensia within the genus Polycesta. The species is known from North America, with its specific epithet suggesting an association with Tulare County or the Tulare region of California. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops in dead or dying wood of its host plants.
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.
Thrincopygini
Thrincopygini is a tribe of jewel beetles within the subfamily Polycestinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of Buprestidae. The tribe is distinguished by specific morphological features of the male genitalia and antennal structure. Observations suggest moderate diversity with limited documentation in public databases.