Agallissus lepturoides
This record describes Agallissus lepturoides (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Unmistakable... LeConte (1873) was the first to report this species from Texas (with no further data). ( 3 ) Hovore et al. (1987) reported: This exotic [looking] species has been listed from Texas several times, but we have been unable to locate or collect any U.S. material. Lingafelter (2007) reported: No larval hosts have been reported in the literature. ( 5 ) The only TX record between LeConte's (1873) and the photos posted here was a single spmn coll'ed in 1998. ( 3 ) Texas considers this sp. a SGCN ( 6 )
Identification notes
Unmistakable...
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cerambycinae
- Tribe
- Agallissini
- Genus
- Agallissus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Palm forests
Geographic Range
southmost TX (Brownsville) to e. & s. Mexico to n. C. Amer. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
March in s. TX (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults do not come to lights Larvae host in the petioles of Sabal mexicana (MAQ, pers. obs., 2009) (Searching palm petioles *much* more effective for finding spmns than using malaise traps, Lindgren funnels, flight intercept traps, black lights or sugar bait traps...)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: agall (G). 'adorn' lepturoides (G). 'slender-form'
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agallissus lepturoides. 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 Agallissus lepturoides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Agallissus lepturoides
What is Agallissus lepturoides?
Agallissus lepturoides is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Agallissus lepturoides?
Body length is ca. 11.5-17.3 mm ( 3 )
How do you identify Agallissus lepturoides?
Unmistakable...
Where is Agallissus lepturoides found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Palm forests |
| Range | southmost TX (Brownsville) to e. & s. Mexico to n. C. Amer. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) |
When is Agallissus lepturoides active?
Agallissus lepturoides: seasonal activity - March in s. TX (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Agallissus lepturoides?
Adults do not come to lights Larvae host in the petioles of Sabal mexicana (MAQ, pers. obs., 2009) (Searching palm petioles *much* more effective for finding spmns than using malaise traps, Lindgren funnels, flight intercept traps, black lights or sugar bait traps...)