Acmaeodera bowditchi
This record describes Acmaeodera bowditchi (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
per Jason Hansen: Type locality: Prescott, AZ Notes on eponym Mr. F.C. Bowditch of Boston appears to be Frederick Channing Bowditch (1854-1925) , son of William Ingersoll Bowditch (1819-1909) , making him the grandson of famed navigator Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838) . See also brief biography on wikitree .
Identification notes
per Jason Hansen:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Polycestinae
- Tribe
- Acmaeoderini
- Genus
- Acmaeodera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ to c. TX, NV - Map
Seasonal Activity
Apr-July (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae in dead branches of Quercus vaseyana , adults on flowers of Erigeron, Eriogonum, Melampodium, Sphaeralcea, Tetraneuris
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eponym for "Mr. F. C. Bowditch of Boston" (Fall, 1901), see Remarks.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Acmaeodera bowditchi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Acmaeodera bowditchi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Joshua P. Basham , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Acmaeodera bowditchi
What is Acmaeodera bowditchi?
Acmaeodera bowditchi is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Acmaeodera bowditchi?
8-9 mm (Fall, 1901)
How do you identify Acmaeodera bowditchi?
per Jason Hansen:
Where is Acmaeodera bowditchi found?
Range: AZ to c. TX, NV - Map
What does Acmaeodera bowditchi eat?
The diet of the Acmaeodera bowditchi includes Larvae in dead branches of Quercus vaseyana , adults on flowers of Erigeron, Eriogonum, Melampodium, Sphaeralcea, Tetraneuris.
When is Acmaeodera bowditchi active?
Acmaeodera bowditchi: seasonal activity - Apr-July (BG data).