Wood-borers
Guides
Acanthocinini
Acanthocinini is a large tribe of flat-faced longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) described by Émile Blanchard in 1845. The tribe exhibits exceptional diversity in tropical regions and includes numerous genera with cryptic, bark-mimicking coloration. Members are characterized by their orthognathous head orientation, where mouthparts are directed downward rather than forward. The tribe contains economically significant wood-boring species and has been subject to extensive taxonomic revision, particularly in North America.
Acmaeodera
Acmaeodera is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) with over 150 species in North America, reaching greatest diversity in the desert southwest and Mexico. Adults are metallic, often with distinctive color patterns, and are frequently observed visiting flowers to feed on pollen. The genus is distinguished by unique flight morphology: elytra are fused along the midline and remain closed during flight, functioning as a protective shield over the abdomen while only the hindwings provide propulsion. This trait, combined with abdominal banding in many species, creates a wasp-like appearance in flight and has led to recognition of several species as hymenopteran mimics. Larvae are wood-borers in twigs and branches of various woody plants.
Buprestidaejewel-beetlesmetallic-wood-boring-beetlesflower-visitorspollen-feederselytra-fusionflight-morphologyhymenopteran-mimicrywood-borersNorth-AmericaMexicoArizonaTexasCaliforniaNew-MexicoOklahomaAlbertaAsteraceaeCercocarpusspring-activemonsoon-activefall-activetaxonomically-difficultcollector's-itemdiurnalCerceris-preyAcmaeoderina
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.
Acmaeoderopsis
Acmaeoderopsis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 12 described species distributed in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus was established by Barr in 1974 and includes species associated with mesquite (Prosopis) and other woody legumes. Adults are small, typically vittate (striped) buprestids that are active during hot summer months and can be collected by beating host vegetation.
Anastrangalia
Anastrangalia is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The genus was established by Casey in 1924 and contains approximately 12 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated bodies and often exhibit reddish or orange coloration. The genus includes both Eurasian and North American species, with some taxa showing transcontinental distributions.
Anthaxia
Anthaxia is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae, tribe Anthaxiini) containing numerous species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan regions. The genus is divided into seven subgenera: Anthaxia (Anthaxia), Haplanthaxia, Melanthaxia, Cratomerus, Merocratus, Thailandia, and Richteraxia. Species are primarily associated with woody host plants, with larvae developing in dead branches or living stems of various trees and shrubs. Adults are frequently observed visiting flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar.
Bostrichoidea
Carpet, Powderpost, and Deathwatch Beetles
Bostrichoidea is a superfamily of beetles within the infraorder Bostrichiformia. It encompasses several families including Bostrichidae (powder-post and horned beetles), Dermestidae (carpet beetles), Endecatomidae, and Ptinidae (death-watch and spider beetles). Members are predominantly associated with dry habitats and exhibit diverse ecological roles ranging from wood-boring to scavenging on dried organic matter. The superfamily is united by modified cryptonephridism, male aedeagus structure, and larval mandibular morphology lacking a basal mola.
Brachysomida
Brachysomida is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lepturinae, tribe Rhagiini. It contains five described species distributed in North America, including B. atra, B. bivittata, B. californica, B. rugicollis, and B. vittigera. The genus was established by Casey in 1913. Species in this genus are associated with forested habitats and are part of the flower-visiting longhorn beetle fauna.
Brentinae
straight-snouted weevils, primitive weevils
Brentinae is a subfamily of primitive weevils in the family Brentidae, commonly called straight-snouted weevils. Members are distinguished from true weevils (Curculionidae) by their straight, elongated rostrum rather than a geniculate (elbowed) snout. The subfamily contains at least 90 genera and 520 described species, with extreme sexual dimorphism in rostrum and mandible structure observed in some species. The type genus Brentus was used by Gustaf Johan Billberg to establish both the subfamily and family in 1820.
Buprestini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae, established by Leach in 1815. The tribe contains approximately eight genera organized into four subtribes: Agaeocerina, Buprestina, Lamprocheilina, and Trachykelina. Notable genera include Buprestis (the type genus), Eurythyrea, Trachykele, and Lamprocheila. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of the family.
Buprestis
jewel beetles
Buprestis is a genus of jewel beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Buprestini. As of 2011, approximately 78 described species were recognized, distributed across most of the world's biogeographic realms except parts of Africa and Antarctica. The genus exhibits striking metallic coloration in shades of yellow, green, copper, and red. Species vary in size and subgeneric classification, with recognized subgenera including Cypriacis, Knulliobuprestis, and Stereosa. Some species are considered rare and are highly sought by collectors.
Buprestoidea
jewel beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestoidea is a superfamily of beetles comprising two families: Buprestidae (jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles) and Schizopodidae. The group is characterized by species with often brilliant metallic coloration and includes over 15,000 described species worldwide, with Buprestidae containing the vast majority. Members are primarily xylophagous as larvae, developing in wood or plant stems.
Cerambycinae
Round-necked Longhorn Beetles
Cerambycinae is a large subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising over 715 genera and approximately 3,900 species. It represents one of the two most diverse subfamilies within Cerambycidae, rivaled only by Lamiinae. The subfamily exhibits worldwide distribution with particular diversity in the Americas, where 430 species in 130 genera occur in the neotropical realm. Members are characterized by morphological features including a rounded pronotum and specific maxillary palp structure.
Conoderinae
Conoderinae is a diverse subfamily of true weevils (Curculionidae) comprising approximately 2,400 described species across more than 210 genera in 15 tribes. The group exhibits worldwide distribution with particular diversity in tropical regions, especially the Neotropics. Members are characterized by active, alert behavior and frequent association with mimicry complexes. Classification within the subfamily remains chaotic with no robust phylogenetic hypotheses, and many genera are likely not monophyletic.
Dicercina
Dicercina is a subtribe of metallic wood-boring beetles within the family Buprestidae. It contains at least two genera, Dicerca and Lampetis, with approximately 20 described species. The subtribe belongs to the tribe Dicercini and subfamily Chrysochroinae. Members exhibit the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Dicercini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Dicercini is a tribe of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 30 genera and more than 750 described species. Members are characterized by their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The tribe includes economically significant species such as Dicerca asperata, which has been documented overwintering as larvae inside dead branches of living trees. The tribe is classified within subfamily Chrysochroinae and is distributed across multiple biogeographic regions.
Disteniinae
disteniid longhorn beetles
Disteniinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 400 described species, primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Adults are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies, long filiform antennae that often exceed body length, and frequently metallic coloration. The group has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been treated historically as a tribe within Lepturinae or Cerambycinae, as a separate subfamily, and even as a distinct family (Disteniidae) before current consensus places it as a subfamily within Cerambycidae. The North American fauna is depauperate, with Elytrimitatrix undata being the sole representative in the United States.
Ipini
Engraver Beetles and Allies
Ipini is a monophyletic tribe of bark beetles (Scolytinae) commonly known as engraver beetles. Members are specialized conifer feeders, primarily associated with Pinaceae hosts including *Pinus* and *Picea*. The tribe includes economically significant forest pests such as *Ips typographus* (European spruce bark beetle) and *Ips sexdentatus* (six-spined engraver beetle). Species develop within wood tissues, creating egg galleries that can kill host trees during outbreaks.
Judolia
Judolia is a genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1863 and contains approximately 14 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, with representatives in North America, Europe, and Asia. Species within this genus are typically associated with coniferous and deciduous forest habitats.
Knowltonia
Burnleafs
Knowltonia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) in western North America. The genus contains four species characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess highly modified, bipectinate (biflabellate) antennae with dual projections from terminal antennomeres, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This antennal modification is presumed to function in detecting female sex pheromones. The genus is notable for its independent evolution of male antennal elaboration similar to that seen in the tribe Xenorhipidini and other disparate buprestid taxa.
Lampetis
Eyed Jewel Beetles
Lampetis is a large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising nearly 300 species worldwide. Adults are typically large, conspicuous beetles with brilliant metallic coloration. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, South America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Larval biology remains poorly known for most species, with development suspected to occur in living wood below the soil line—a habit that explains the rarity of larval discoveries.
Lepturinae
flower longhorn beetles, lepturine beetles
Lepturinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 150 genera worldwide, with greatest diversity in the Northern Hemisphere. Members are commonly called 'flower longhorns' due to their distinctive adult behavior of visiting flowers for feeding. The subfamily is characterized by slender body form, posteriorly tapering elytra, and eyes that do not surround the antennal bases. Unlike most cerambycids, adults are primarily diurnal. The subfamily was historically broader, with Necydalinae recently recognized as separate. Nine to ten tribes are currently recognized, though some generic placements remain uncertain.
Monochamus
sawyer beetles, sawyers
Monochamus is a large genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) distributed worldwide. Commonly known as sawyer beetles, species in this genus are characterized by larvae that bore into dead or dying coniferous trees, particularly pines. Several species serve as vectors for the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), the causative agent of pine wilt disease. The genus exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in antennae length, with males typically bearing antennae twice as long as their bodies.
Prioninae
Tooth-necked and Aberrant Longhorn Beetles, prionids
Prioninae is a subfamily of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising large, robust beetles typically measuring 25–70 mm. They are distinguished by males of several genera possessing enlarged mandibles used in male-male combat, analogous to stag beetles. Most species are nocturnal and attracted to light. Larvae are wood-borers, with the majority of documented species feeding on rotting wood or roots.
Rhagiini
Rhagiini is a tribe of longhorn beetles within the subfamily Lepturinae. Members are characterized by elongated bodies and flower-visiting behavior. The tribe occurs primarily in the Northern Hemisphere with substantial diversity in North America and Eurasia.
Xenorhipidini
Xenorhipidini is a small tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 8 described species across three genera. The tribe is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments covered in olfactory sensillae, while females retain unmodified serrate antennae. This modification, unique among non-monotypic buprestid tribes, is associated with pheromone detection. Members are found in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America and the West Indies.
Xiphydriidae
wood wasps, swordtail sawflies
Xiphydriidae is a family of approximately 150 species of wood wasps distributed worldwide across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions. Adults are distinguished by their globose (dome-shaped) heads borne on long, slender necks, with body lengths ranging from 6–21 mm. Larvae are wood borers in dead or dying trees and branches, where they feed on symbiotic fungi rather than wood directly. The family has a fossil record extending to the mid-Cretaceous, with the oldest known fossils from this period.