ColeopteraBuprestidae – Metallic Wood-boring Beetles

Acmaeodera navajo

This record describes Acmaeodera navajo (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Acmaeodera navajo - Acmaeodera navajo
(c) Ted C. MacRae, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ted C. MacRae

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

Habitat

Type locality: AZ, Coconino Co., 9 mi NW Page

Geographic Range

AZ, UT

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Adults on flowers of Linum lewisii Pursh, Opuntia sp., and Sphaeralcea sp.

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Acmaeodera navajo Nelson & Westcott 1995

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Acmaeodera navajo. 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.

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How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: (c) Ted C. MacRae, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ted C. MacRae | Contributed by Joel DuBois. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.