Wedge-shaped Beetles (Ripiphoridae) - 46 Species, Identification & Facts

Macrosiagon cruenta

5 main color varieties: *nominate - https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/153520 *dark form *California form with little to no black - rufum - https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:5145 *CA-TX form with rufous head and thorax - horni - https://ww

Macrosiagon dimidiata

Identification: convex frons and lack of pronotal tubercle shown above are important differences from M. flavipennis (see Zack Falin's comment there)

Macrosiagon excavata

Identification: Elytral pattern constant as margins, base, and longitudinal vitta short from base dark on pale ground; head and pronotum red to black. Pronotum with two long, triangular depressions (name!)

Macrosiagon flavipennis

Identification: If you compare it to M. dimidiata , you'll notice this species has an odd, fin or cup-shaped tubercle on the posterior of the pronotum that the other one lacks. This species also has something of a dimple or concavity to its forehead.

Macrosiagon linearis

Identification: of the slender shape of M. limbata , but no body part variegated. Usually, males are black, females red with elytra black (Vaurie 1955) spelling lineare found in traditional, but wrong treatment of the genus' gender as neutral (vs cor

Wasp Nest Beetle

Metoecus paradoxus

This is a rather odd-looking, almost fly-like, insect about 10 mms long with narrow pointed elytra which do not completely cover the wings or abdomen. It has feathery antennae and is a parasite of wasps' nests. Normally associated with underground wa

Pelecotoides schaefferi

Type Locality: Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas. commonly coll'ed at UV lights at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Rio Hondo, Cameron Co., TX ( 6 )

Pelecotoma flavipes

Pelecotoma flavipes (Pelecotoma flavipes) is a species in the family Ripiphoridae, commonly known as wedge-shaped beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Pelecotominae, suborder Polyphaga, superfami

Ripiphorus americanus

Rivnay and others created unnecessary confusion around the status and description of R. americanus. The original publication is available on Biodiversity Heritage Library. North American IDs under the name R. niger, which is a valid Central American

Ripiphorus epinomiae

Identification: From the key in Linsley & MacSwain, diagnostic characters for the female are: 1) First segment of posterior tarsus obliquely truncate at apex, usually elevated and shorter than following segments combined. 2) Head and thorax dark, abd

Ripiphorus neomexicanus

Identification: Pygidium in the female entirely brown-dark brown; T1 only with brown medial spot and the rest are entirely yellow Originally collected Albuquerque, New Mexico (1921). GBIF lists specimens from south Texas (1970), suggesting range may