Agrilus neoprosopidus
This record describes Agrilus neoprosopidus (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
in the female, the front of the head is bronze Det. E. G. Riley 2009 Very similar to Agrilus pectoralis and A. prosopidis . It can be separated from both those species by the marginal and submarginal carina being joined near the base or at best very narrowly separated at base ( A. prosopidis and A. pectoralis both have the marginal carinae clearly separated for the entire length. Other characters that distinguish A. prosopidus from the other two are: vertical portions of abdomen all equally setose and male genitalia. Agrilus neoprosopidus male genitalia with median lobe 4 times as wide as paramere. The drawing of the male genitalia in Knull 1944b was found to be similar to but inaccurate when compared to an image of the holotype at the Chicago field museum. -Jason Hansen Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Agrilinae
- Tribe
- Agrilini
- Genus
- Agrilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
s. TX (Hidalgo, Cameron, and Nueces Cos.) / Mex. - Map (Vogt 1949)
Seasonal Activity
Feb-April in south Texas (Vogt 1949)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Frequent on fresh cut branches and foliage of Tepeguaje - Leucaena pulverulenta (Fabaceae). Reared from same. (Vogt 1949)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agrilus neoprosopidus Knull 1938
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Agrilus neoprosopidus. 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 Agrilus neoprosopidus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by jahansen
Frequently Asked Questions About Agrilus neoprosopidus
What is Agrilus neoprosopidus?
Agrilus neoprosopidus is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Agrilus neoprosopidus?
in the female, the front of the head is bronze Det. E. G. Riley 2009 Very similar to Agrilus pectoralis and A. prosopidis . It can be separated from both those species by the marginal and submarginal carina being joined near the base or at best very narrowly separated at base ( A. prosopidis and A. pectoralis both have the marginal carinae clearly separated for the entire length. Other characters that distinguish A. prosopidus from the other two are: vertical portions of abdomen all equally setose and male genitalia. Agrilus neoprosopidus male genitalia with median lobe 4 times as wide as paramere. The drawing of the male genitalia in Knull 1944b was found to be similar to but inaccurate when compared to an image of the holotype at the Chicago field museum. -Jason Hansen
Where is Agrilus neoprosopidus found?
Range: s. TX (Hidalgo, Cameron, and Nueces Cos.) / Mex. - Map (Vogt 1949)
What does Agrilus neoprosopidus eat?
The diet of the Agrilus neoprosopidus includes Frequent on fresh cut branches and foliage of Tepeguaje - Leucaena pulverulenta (Fabaceae). Reared from same. (Vogt 1949).
When is Agrilus neoprosopidus active?
Agrilus neoprosopidus: seasonal activity - Feb-April in south Texas (Vogt 1949).