Sandhill-habitat
Guides
Chrysobothris chrysoela chrysoela
A subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. Members of the species Chrysobothris chrysoela occur in Florida and are associated with oak habitats. The subspecies is part of a genus containing numerous economically important wood-boring beetles, many of which are difficult to identify due to reliance on suites of subtle morphological characters rather than single diagnostic features.
Lycochoriolaus lateralis
Lycochoriolaus lateralis is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. First described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1795, this species is notable for its mimicry of lycid beetles (family Lycidae), which are chemically defended and distasteful to predators. The species has been documented in Florida and Mexico, where it occurs in dry oak/pine sandhill woodland habitats. Unlike most cerambycids, adults exhibit reduced skittishness, likely due to the protective advantage conferred by their mimicry.
Machimus polyphemi
Gopher Tortoise Robber Fly
Machimus polyphemi is a robber fly species described in 1991 that exhibits an obligate commensal relationship with gopher tortoise burrows. It is one of 12 known invertebrate species that depend entirely on burrows excavated by Gopherus polyphemus. The species is essentially endemic to longleaf pine ecosystems, particularly sandhill communities, across the southeastern United States Coastal Plain.
Mecas femoralis
Mecas femoralis is a small longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Haldeman in 1847. It is found in the southeastern United States and is considered largely endemic to Florida. The species measures 6–8 mm in length and can be distinguished by its rather uniform pubescence, lack of pronotal calluses, and reddish femora. It has been collected by sweeping dried grasses in open oak/pine sandhill woodland habitats.
Scaphomorphus
Scaphomorphus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, first described by Motschulsky in 1860. The genus contains species that appear to be associated with specific host plants, particularly legumes. One documented species, Scaphomorphus subcylindricus, has been recorded from Florida where it was found on the endemic plant Lupinis ocalensis (Ocala lupine). The genus is part of the diverse weevil fauna of North America, with records from the southeastern United States.
Scaphomorphus subcylindricus
Scaphomorphus subcylindricus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is endemic to Florida, where it has been collected in dry oak/pine sandhill woodland habitats. The species is associated with the endemic plant Lupinis ocalensis (Ocala lupine), on whose foliage it has been observed. The species was documented during field surveys in the Citrus Wildlife Management Area of Withlacoochee State Forest.
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus
Florida flower scarab
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus is a species of flower scarab beetle endemic to Florida, commonly known as the Florida flower scarab. It belongs to the genus Trichiotinus, a North American endemic group of trichiine scarabs. The species is associated with the flowers of Opuntia australis (Florida pricklypear cactus), an endemic plant, and has been observed mating within these flowers. Its distribution is limited to Florida, making it a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss from urban development and agriculture.
Trigonopeltastes floridanus
Trigonopeltastes floridanus is a flower chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is endemic to Florida and associated with the flowers of Opuntia australis, the Florida pricklypear cactus. The species has been observed mating on cactus flowers, suggesting a close ecological relationship with this endemic host plant. Like other members of the genus, it likely feeds on pollen and floral tissues.