Reared-specimen
Guides
Raptoheptagenia cruentata
predaceous flat-headed mayfly
Raptoheptagenia cruentata is a mayfly species originally described as Heptagenia cruentata by Walsh in 1863, later reclassified into the new genus Raptoheptagenia based on distinctive larval morphology. The genus was established because the larvae differ markedly from other Heptagenia species, having been previously misidentified as belonging to the genus Anepeorus. Adult males were successfully reared from these larvae, confirming the adult-larval association. This species belongs to the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as flat-headed mayflies.
Trichinorhipis knulli
Knull's Metallic Wood-boring Beetle
Trichinorhipis knulli is a minute jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) endemic to southern California, where it occurs in Riverside and Imperial Counties. It is the sole member of its monotypic genus, distinguished from related genera by its entire elytra covering the full abdomen and broadly rounded pronotum lacking lateral margins. Males exhibit highly modified flabellate antennae with expanded lamellae bearing numerous olfactory sensillae, an adaptation for detecting female sex pheromones. The species is rarely encountered in the field; most specimens have been reared from dead branches of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). At 3.6 mm, it is among the smallest buprestids.