West-texas-endemic
Guides
Acmaeodera gillespiensis
Acmaeodera gillespiensis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1941. The species is a west Texas specialty with scattered records extending into southeastern New Mexico. It has been documented on flowers of Echinocereus enneacanthus (strawberry cactus) and Opuntia camanchica (tulip pricklypear cactus), suggesting adult association with blooming cacti. Records indicate activity in late May to early June.
Agrilus gillespiensis
Enchanted Rock Agrilus
Agrilus gillespiensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1947. The species is a west Texas specialty, with records from the Big Bend region and adjacent areas of New Mexico. Adults have been collected from flowers of Echinocereus enneacanthus carnosus (strawberry cactus) and Opuntia camanchica (tulip pricklypear cactus), suggesting a floral association uncommon for the genus. The specific epithet refers to Gillespie County, Texas, though the species has a broader distribution in the region. Like other members of the enormous genus Agrilus, it presumably develops as a larva in dead woody branches, though no confirmed larval host records are documented.
Xenorhipis osborni
Xenorhipis osborni is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Xenorhipidini. It is native to west Texas and adjacent regions of North America. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in antennae, with males possessing highly modified flabellate antennae bearing numerous olfactory sensillae, presumably for detecting female sex pheromones. Larval development occurs in dead branches of acacia species (Fabaceae), particularly black acacia (Vachellia rigidula) and catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii).