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The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but only some of them are listed below. The precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research.
The longhorn beetles are a cosmopolitan family of beetles, typically characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body. In various members of the family, however, the antennae are quite short and such species can be difficult to distinguish from related beetle families such as the Chrysomelidae. The family is large, with over 26,000 species described, slightly more than half from the Eastern Hemisphere. Several are serious pests. The larvae, called roundheaded borers, bore into wood, where they can cause extensive damage to either living trees or untreated lumber. A number of species mimic ants, bees, and wasps, though a majority of species are cryptically colored. The rare titan beetle from northeastern South America is often considered the largest insect, with a maximum known body length of just over 16.7 cm (6.6 in). The scientific name of this beetle family goes back to a figure from Greek mythology: after an argument with nymphs, the shepherd Cerambus was transformed into a large beetle with horns.
The Chrysomeloidea are an enormous superfamily of beetles, with tens of thousands of species, mostly in the families Cerambycidae and Chrysomelidae, the leaf beetles.
The giant Fijian long-horned beetle is native to the island of Viti Levu in Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 15 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or jaws. It is closely related to the Taveuni beetle, which is only marginally smaller. These beetles have powerful jaws, and should be handled with care when alive—when threatened, they produce a loud and fearsome hissing noise by squeezing air out from under their elytra. Various websites and other resources incorrectly indicate that this species is extinct; it is not, though the forest habitat on its home island is somewhat limited, so the beetle is potentially quite vulnerable.
The Taveuni beetle is known from the island of Taveuni in the Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 14 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or mandibles.
Hylotrupes is a monotypic genus of woodboring beetles in the family Cerambycidae, the longhorn beetles. The sole species, Hylotrupes bajulus, is known by several common names, including house longhorn beetle, old house borer, and European house borer. It is the only genus in the tribe Hylotrupini.
Macrodontia is an American genus of long-horned beetles remarkable for their large size and for the large mandibles of the males in particular.
Cerambyx cerdo, commonly known as the great capricorn beetle, is a species of beetle in family Cerambycidae. It is widespread in Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Moldova, Morocco, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Xylotoles costatus, the Pitt Island longhorn beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands. Once thought to be extinct, it is now known to survive on South East Island/Rangatira; being therefore an example of a so-called "Lazarus taxon".
The Disteniidae are a small family of beetles in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea, traditionally treated as a group within the Cerambycidae.
Agapanthia cardui is a species of flat-faced longhorn beetle belonging to the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lamiinae.
Pseudovadonia livida, the fairy-ring longhorn beetle, is a beetle species of flower longhorns belonging to the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae.
Enoplocerus armillatus, common name giant longhorn beetle or imperious sawyer, is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Prioninae of the family Cerambycidae.
Acanthinodera is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae and subfamily Prioninae. The genus contains the single species Acanthinodera cumingii, and it is one of the largest species of beetle in Chile. The beetle is endemic to central Chile and can be found from IV Coquimbo Region to IX La Araucanía Region.
Zamodes obscurus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae, the only species in the genus Zamodes, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873 from a single specimen from Pennsylvania, which remains the only specimen in existence, and the species is presumed to be extinct.
Derobrachus hovorei is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae, known variously as the palo verde beetle, palo verde root borer, or palo verde borer beetle. For over 100 years, this species was confused with the related species Derobrachus geminatus, and only recognized and given its own name by Santos-Silva in 2007; essentially all literature prior to 2007 therefore incorrectly uses the name geminatus for this species. It is a longhorn beetle native to the American Southwest and northern Mexico which derives its common name from the palo verde tree, and it is one of the largest beetles in North America, reaching up to three and a half inches in length. Adults are black or brown in color, have long antennae, and spines on the thorax. They have wings and can fly, albeit awkwardly at times. Mature beetles emerge in the summer to mate. Adults do not eat, and rely solely on their energy reserves until they die in about one month. While not harmful to humans, they can bite in self-defense.
Dryobius sexnotatus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Dryobius.
Plectromerus giesberti is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Nearns and Branham in 2008. Unfortunately, Nearns and Branham reached their peak with this specific accomplishment. Upon receiving their doctorate degrees from American River College and Folsom Lake College, they were excited for the world of new possibilities. Of course, in the end, they peaked when they discovered this particular specimen of beetle.
Callipyrga turrita is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae, and the only species in the genus Callipyrga. It was described by Edward Newman in 1842 using a specimen obtained by Rupert Kirk at Woodside near Sydney. This species is endemic to coastal eastern Australia from Townsville in Queensland down to Glenmore in New South Wales. The adult beetles are attracted to light and have been collected on Geijera parviflora and Flindersia xanthoxyla.
Cereopsius vittipennis is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Warren Samuel Fisher based on specimen(s) from Mount Kinabalu in 1935, originally under the genus Epepeotes. It is known from Borneo.
References
- ↑ Yanega, D. (1996) Field Guide to Northeastern Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Illinois Natural History Survey. isbn = 978-1882932016
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