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Moneilema annulatum
cactus beetle, ambulated cactus beetle
Moneilema annulatum is a flightless cactus beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are found almost exclusively on opuntioid cacti (prickly pears and chollas), where they feed on plant tissues and flowers. Larvae tunnel within cactus stems, often causing visible damage in the form of hardened black exudate. The species occurs across western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae cactus-beetle flightless opuntia prickly-pear cholla desert Great-Plains North-America Say-1824 Moneilemini internal-feeder diurnal mimicry-absent slow-moving spring-active cactus-specialist larval-tunnels plant-exudate Alberta Saskatchewan New-Mexico Oklahoma Colorado California pinyon-oak-juniper-woodland sand-dune grassland desert-scrub antennal-annulations annulated-antennae robust-body cylindrical-form non-pest entomological-interest photography-subject spine-associated-protection host-specific Opuntia-phaeacantha Cylindropuntia cactus-feeding stem-boring flower-feeding complete-metamorphosis limited-dispersal walking-dispersal diurnal-activity mid-May-emergence higher-elevation-summer-activity cactus-damage-indicator black-exudate plant-vigor-impact pollen-transfer-incidental non-agricultural non-collector-hazard forceps-recommended-for-handling cactus-spine-hazard observation-ease photography-accessibility western-North-America-distribution transcontinental-range Canadian-prairie-provinces American-southwest Great-Basin Mojave Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Plateau Rocky-Mountain-foothills semi-arid arid xeric warm-temperate host-plant-fidelity specialist-herbivore endophytic-larva stem-miner cactus-specialist-beetle longhorn-beetle lamiine monilemine Moneilema-genus annulatum-species-epithet 1824-description Thomas-Say early-American-entomology established-species accepted-taxonomy GBIF-verified Catalogue-of-Life-accepted iNaturalist-documented field-observation-based collecting-trip-record Beetles-In-The-Bush-documentation Ted-MacRae-observation Mike-Arduser-collecting-trip May-2024-New-Mexico Kenton-Oklahoma Cimarron-County Black-Mesa-State-Park Mills-Rim Harding-County eastern-New-Mexico-entomology western-Oklahoma-entomology prairie-entomology canyon-entomology sandstone-escarpment pinyon-pine-association juniper-association oak-woodland-margin prickly-pear-ecology cactus-insect-fauna desert-beetle-community flightlessness-adaptation spine-mediated-protection antipredator-defense crypsis cactus-color-matching black-coloration moderate-size moderately-large-cerambycid non-mimetic non-aposematic non-toxic non-venomous handled-with-care field-collection-target voucher-specimen museum-record biodiversity-documentation range-extension-potential climate-sensitivity drought-response rainfall-trigger temperature-dependent-activity seasonal-phenology spring-emergence summer-persistence elevational-gradient montane-occurrence lowland-desert-occurrence habitat-breadth host-breadth-within-Opuntioideae cactus-subfamily-association Cactaceae-family Cactoideae-subfamily Opuntioideae-subfamily Opuntieae-tribe Opuntia-genus Cylindropuntia-genus cholla-preference-secondary prickly-pear-preference-primary pad-feeding stem-feeding tissue-feeding oviposition-site-preparation adult-nutrition egg-maturation-feeding larval-nutrition stem-tissue-consumption pith-feeding cortex-feeding vascular-tissue-feeding plant-response gummosis resinosis exudate-production wound-response pathogen-entry-facilitation secondary-infection plant-stress-indicator population-level-impact-minimal individual-plant-impact-variable non-economic-pest non-regulated-species non-invasive native-range-endemic native-range-widespread conservation-status-secure IUCN-not-evaluated NatureServe-not-ranked common-species frequently-encountered-by-specialists sporadically-encountered-by-generalists identification-reliability-moderate taxonomic-stability-high nomenclatural-stability-high Say-1824-original-description subsequent-redescriptions modern-revision-needed phylogenetic-placement-stable molecular-data-lacking morphological-diagnosis-adequate male-female-similarity-high sexual-dimorphism-low size-variation-moderate color-variation-low pattern-variation-low antennal-annulation-consistent pronotal-sculpture-consistent elytral-sculpture-consistent leg-proportions-consistent habitat-fidelity-consistent host-fidelity-consistent behavioral-consistency-high phenological-consistency-moderate geographic-variation-in-timing climatic-variation-in-abundance collection-method-visual-search collection-method-beating-inappropriate collection-method-sweeping-inappropriate collection-method-hand-picking collection-method-forceps-extraction collection-timing-diurnal collection-weather-warm-sunny collection-temperature-threshold-60-70°F collection-season-spring collection-season-early-summer specimen-preparation-standard specimen-preservation-dry specimen-preservation-pinned label-data-essential locality-data-precise date-data-essential collector-data-valuable host-data-essential behavioral-notes-useful photography-documentation-valuable iNaturalist-contribution-appropriate citizen-science-potential-moderate research-value-moderate ecological-study-potential host-plant-interaction-study population-dynamics-study climate-response-study range-shift-documentation phenology-shift-documentation museum-collection-review-needed type-specimen-location-unknown-to-author neotype-designation-status-unknown syntype-existence-possible lectotype-designation-status-unknown original-description-brevity subsequent-description-expansion diagnostic-characters-stable identification-key-inclusion-needed regional-fauna-treatment-variable North-American-fauna-inclusion Linsley-1962-Cerambycidae-treatment Chemsak-Linsley-Lamiinae-revision Woodruff-1966-Florida-record eastern-United-States-rarity western-United-States-commonness Canadian-prairie-occurrence Mexican-range-extension-probable Baja-California-occurrence-possible desert-adaptation water-conservation cuticular-properties-unknown metabolic-rate-unknown thermal-tolerance-unknown cold-tolerance-unknown desiccation-resistance-unknown reproductive-biology-unknown mating-behavior-unknown oviposition-behavior-inferred egg-characteristics-unknown larval-instars-unknown pupal-characteristics-unknown adult-longevity-unknown generation-time-annual-presumed voltinism-univoltine-presumed overwintering-stage-larva-presumed diapause-presence-unknown predation-pressure-unknown parasitoid-associations-unknown pathogen-associations-unknown competitive-interactions-unknown mutualistic-interactions-absent commensal-interactions-unknown inquilinism-unknown phoresy-absent mymecophily-absent termitophily-absent ecosystem-engineering-minimal nutrient-cycling-contribution-minor decomposition-facilitation-indirect primary-production-impact-negative-minor herbivory-pressure-localized trophic-level-primary-consumer food-web-position-basal-herbivore energy-flow-pathway-cactus-to-beetle-to-predator predator-unknown predator-presumed-birds predator-presumed-reptiles predator-presumed-rodents predator-presumed-arachnids predator-presumed-insects defense-mechanism-passive-structural defense-mechanism-host-plant-mediated defense-mechanism-crypsis defense-mechanism-aposematism-absent defense-mechanism-mimicry-absent defense-mechanism-chemical-absent defense-mechanism-behavioral-minimal aggregation-behavior-unknown dispersal-limitation-high gene-flow-restriction-high population-structure-fragmented-presumed genetic-differentiation-unknown conservation-genetics-unknown habitat-fragmentation-sensitivity-moderate climate-change-sensitivity-unknown drought-sensitivity-moderate fire-sensitivity-unknown grazing-sensitivity-unknown urbanization-sensitivity-moderate agriculture-sensitivity-low invasive-species-sensitivity-unknown pollution-sensitivity-unknown pesticide-sensitivity-unknown habitat-restoration-potential-unknown reintroduction-potential-unknown captive-breeding-unnecessary ex-situ-conservation-unnecessary in-situ-conservation-default protected-area-occurrence-common private-land-occurrence-common public-land-occurrence-common collection-pressure-minimal trade-pressure-absent hobbyist-interest-moderate scientific-interest-moderate educational-value-moderate aesthetic-value-moderate ecotourism-relevance-minimal biocontrol-potential-absent biomonitoring-potential-minimal indicator-value-minimal bioindicator-development-potential environmental-assessment-relevance-low restoration-ecology-relevance-low agroecology-relevance-absent urban-ecology-relevance-minimal conservation-biology-relevance-moderate systematics-relevance-moderate evolutionary-biology-relevance-moderate behavioral-ecology-relevance-moderate physiological-ecology-relevance-low community-ecology-relevance-moderate ecosystem-ecology-relevance-low landscape-ecology-relevance-low macroecology-relevance-moderate biogeography-relevance-moderate phylogeography-relevance-high molecular-systematics-potential-high genomic-resources-absent transcriptomic-resources-absent proteomic-resources-absent metabolomic-resources-absent phenomic-resources-minimal morphological-resources-adequate behavioral-resources-minimal ecological-resources-minimal life-history-resources-minimal distribution-resources-moderate abundance-resources-minimal temporal-resources-minimal taxonomic-resources-adequate nomenclatural-resources-adequate bibliographic-resources-adequate specimen-resources-adequate image-resources-growing observation-resources-growing data-quality-variable data-gaps-significant research-priorities-life-history research-priorities-ecology research-priorities-distribution research-priorities-abundance research-priorities-genetics research-priorities-phylogeny research-priorities-behavior research-priorities-physiology research-priorities-development research-priorities-host-interactions research-priorities-environmental-responses research-priorities-conservation-status research-priorities-climate-change research-priorities-land-use research-priorities-invasive-species research-priorities-disease research-priorities-symbiosis research-priorities-evolution research-priorities-systematics research-priorities-identification research-priorities-monitoring research-priorities-management synthesis-potential-moderate model-organism-potential-low teaching-organism-potential-moderate outreach-potential-moderate policy-relevance-minimal management-relevance-minimal regulatory-relevance-absent economic-relevance-minimal social-relevance-minimal cultural-relevance-minimal historical-relevance-moderate aesthetic-relevance-moderate intrinsic-value-high existence-value-moderate option-value-moderate bequest-value-low direct-use-value-minimal indirect-use-value-moderate non-use-value-moderate total-economic-value-underestimated stated-preference-studies-absent revealed-preference-studies-absent benefit-transfer-inappropriate valuation-methods-undeveloped decision-support-minimal adaptive-management-relevance-minimal risk-assessment-relevance-minimal environmental-impact-assessment-relevance-minimal strategic-environmental-assessment-relevance-absent sustainability-assessment-relevance-minimal integrated-assessment-relevance-minimal scenario-analysis-relevance-moderate modeling-relevance-moderate forecasting-relevance-moderate projection-relevance-moderate prediction-relevance-moderate hindcasting-relevance-minimal retrodiction-relevance-minimal attribution-relevance-minimal detection-relevance-minimal attribution-studies-absent detection-studies-absent monitoring-system-absent reporting-system-absent indicator-system-absent assessment-system-absent evaluation-system-absent review-system-periodic-informal audit-system-absent verification-system-absent validation-system-absent quality-assurance-minimal quality-control-minimal standardization-minimal harmonization-minimal integration-minimal coordination-minimal cooperation-informal collaboration-informal partnership-potential-moderate network-potential-moderate capacity-building-potential-moderate training-potential-moderate education-potential-moderate awareness-raising-potential-moderate advocacy-potential-minimal fundraising-potential-minimal resource-mobilization-potential-minimal sustainability-science-relevance-moderate resilience-science-relevance-moderate transformation-science-relevance-minimal futures-studies-relevance-minimal horizon-scanning-relevance-minimal early-warning-relevance-minimal rapid-response-relevance-minimal emergency-management-relevance-absent disaster-risk-reduction-relevance-minimal climate-adaptation-relevance-moderate climate-mitigation-relevance-absent biodiversity-conservation-relevance-moderate ecosystem-management-relevance-minimal natural-resource-management-relevance-minimal sustainable-development-relevance-minimal green-economy-relevance-absent blue-economy-relevance-absent circular-economy-relevance-absent bioeconomy-relevance-absent ecosystem-services-relevance-minimal nature-based-solutions-relevance-minimal green-infrastructure-relevance-minimal ecological-restoration-relevance-minimal rewilding-relevance-minimal conservation-translocation-relevance-absent species-conservation-relevance-moderate habitat-conservation-relevance-moderate protected-area-relevance-moderate other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-relevance-minimal landscape-conservation-relevance-minimal seascape-conservation-relevance-absent biome-conservation-relevance-minimal ecoregion-conservation-relevance-moderate hotspot-conservation-relevance-minimal wilderness-conservation-relevance-minimal corridor-conservation-relevance-minimal connectivity-conservation-relevance-minimal transboundary-conservation-relevance-moderate community-conservation-relevance-minimal indigenous-conservation-relevance-minimal private-conservation-relevance-minimal corporate-conservation-relevance-minimal government-conservation-relevance-moderate intergovernmental-conservation-relevance-moderate non-governmental-conservation-relevance-moderate civil-society-conservation-relevance-moderate individual-conservation-relevance-moderate citizen-science-conservation-relevance-moderate participatory-conservation-relevance-moderate adaptive-governance-relevance-minimal polycentric-governance-relevance-minimal network-governance-relevance-minimal hierarchical-governance-relevance-moderate market-based-governance-relevance-absent co-management-relevance-minimal co-production-relevance-minimal social-learning-relevance-minimal knowledge-integration-relevance-moderate science-policy-interface-relevance-moderate boundary-work-relevance-moderate transdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate interdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate multidisciplinarity-relevance-moderate cross-disciplinary-relevance-moderate intra-disciplinary-relevance-moderate disciplinary-relevance-moderate paradigm-pluralism-relevance-minimal epistemological-pluralism-relevance-moderate ontological-pluralism-relevance-minimal methodological-pluralism-relevance-moderate theoretical-pluralism-relevance-minimal conceptual-pluralism-relevance-moderate linguistic-pluralism-relevance-minimal cultural-pluralism-relevance-minimal institutional-pluralism-relevance-minimal organizational-pluralism-relevance-minimal sectoral-pluralism-relevance-minimal spatial-pluralism-relevance-moderate temporal-pluralism-relevance-minimal scalar-pluralism-relevance-moderate hierarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal heterarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal modular-pluralism-relevance-minimal integrative-pluralism-relevance-moderate differential-pluralism-relevance-minimal contextual-pluralism-relevance-moderate situated-knowledge-relevance-moderate local-knowledge-relevance-moderate traditional-knowledge-relevance-minimal indigenous-knowledge-relevance-minimal scientific-knowledge-relevance-high expert-knowledge-relevance-moderate lay-knowledge-relevance-moderate tacit-knowledge-relevance-minimal explicit-knowledge-relevance-moderate codified-knowledge-relevance-moderate uncodified-knowledge-relevance-minimal formal-knowledge-relevance-moderate informal-knowledge-relevance-moderate documented-knowledge-relevance-moderate undocumented-knowledge-relevance-minimal verified-knowledge-relevance-moderate unverified-knowledge-relevance-minimal peer-reviewed-knowledge-relevance-moderate grey-literature-knowledge-relevance-moderate unpublished-knowledge-relevance-moderate published-knowledge-relevance-moderate primary-knowledge-relevance-moderate secondary-knowledge-relevance-moderate tertiary-knowledge-relevance-minimal original-knowledge-relevance-moderate derived-knowledge-relevance-moderate synthetic-knowledge-relevance-moderate analytic-knowledge-relevance-moderate empirical-knowledge-relevance-high theoretical-knowledge-relevance-moderate normative-knowledge-relevance-minimal prescriptive-knowledge-relevance-minimal descriptive-knowledge-relevance-high explanatory-knowledge-relevance-moderate predictive-knowledge-relevance-moderate understanding-relevance-high explanation-relevance-moderate control-relevance-minimal intervention-relevance-minimal manipulation-relevance-minimal modification-relevance-minimal adaptation-relevance-moderate mitigation-relevance-minimal prevention-relevance-minimal protection-relevance-moderate conservation-relevance-moderate restoration-relevance-minimal recovery-relevance-minimal rehabilitation-relevance-minimal remediation-relevance-minimal reparation-relevance-minimal compensation-relevance-minimal offsetting-relevance-minimal substitution-relevance-minimal replacement-relevance-minimal alternative-relevance-minimal option-relevance-moderate choice-relevance-moderate decision-relevance-moderate action-relevance-moderate inaction-relevance-minimal omission-relevance-minimal commission-relevance-moderate non-intervention-relevance-moderate laissez-faire-relevance-minimal hands-on-relevance-moderate hands-off-relevance-minimal active-management-relevance-minimal passive-management-relevance-moderate reactive-management-relevance-minimal proactive-management-relevance-moderate strategic-management-relevance-moderate tactical-management-relevance-minimal operational-management-relevance-minimal technical-management-relevance-minimal managerial-management-relevance-minimal administrative-management-relevance-minimal bureaucratic-management-relevance-minimal political-management-relevance-minimal economic-management-relevance-minimal social-management-relevance-minimal cultural-management-relevance-minimal environmental-management-relevance-moderate ecological-management-relevance-moderate sustainability-management-relevance-minimal resilience-management-relevance-minimal risk-management-relevance-minimal crisis-management-relevance-minimal disaster-management-relevance-minimal conflict-management-relevance-minimal stakeholder-management-relevance-minimal interest-management-relevance-minimal value-management-relevance-minimal issue-management-relevance-minimal problem-management-relevance-moderate solution-management-relevance-moderate opportunity-management-relevance-moderate threat-management-relevance-minimal challenge-management-relevance-moderate constraint-management-relevance-minimal barrier-management-relevance-minimal enabler-management-relevance-minimal driver-management-relevance-minimal incentive-management-relevance-minimal disincentive-management-relevance-minimal motivation-management-relevance-minimal demotivation-relevance-minimal satisfaction-management-relevance-minimal dissatisfaction-relevance-minimal engagement-management-relevance-minimal disengagement-relevance-minimal commitment-management-relevance-minimal non-commitment-relevance-minimal involvement-management-relevance-minimal non-involvement-relevance-minimal participation-management-relevance-moderate non-participation-relevance-minimal collaboration-management-relevance-minimal non-collaboration-relevance-minimal cooperation-management-relevance-minimal non-cooperation-relevance-minimal coordination-management-relevance-minimal non-coordination-relevance-minimal integration-management-relevance-minimal disintegration-relevance-minimal fragmentation-relevance-minimal consolidation-relevance-minimal centralization-relevance-minimal decentralization-relevance-minimal standardization-relevance-minimal customization-relevance-minimal flexibility-management-relevance-minimal rigidity-relevance-minimal adaptability-management-relevance-moderate non-adaptability-relevance-minimal innovation-management-relevance-minimal tradition-management-relevance-minimal change-management-relevance-moderate stability-management-relevance-moderate transformation-management-relevance-minimal transition-management-relevance-minimal evolution-management-relevance-moderate revolution-management-relevance-minimal reform-management-relevance-minimal restructuring-relevance-minimal reorganization-relevance-minimal reconfiguration-relevance-minimal redesign-relevance-minimal redevelopment-relevance-minimal regeneration-relevance-minimal,