Brachys wellsoi
This record describes Brachys wellsoi (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Type Locality: Texas: Ft. Bend Co., Brazos Bend St. Pk., 10.04.1999, E. G. Riley-770, sweep coastal prairie (TAMU-ENTO X0544867).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Agrilinae
- Tribe
- Tracheini
- Genus
- Brachys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX (mostly central TX), OK (Latimer Co.) TX counties: Ft. Bend, Bexar, Brown, Comal, Gillespie, Goliad, Hays, Karnes, Sutton, Uvalde, Victoria, Walker, and Williamson
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults on oaks ( Quercus spp., Fagaceae) and Bumelia sp. (Sapotaceae).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Brachys wellsoi Hespenheide, 2022
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Brachys wellsoi. 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 Brachys wellsoi (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Brachys wellsoi
What is Brachys wellsoi?
Brachys wellsoi is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Brachys wellsoi found?
Range: TX (mostly central TX), OK (Latimer Co.) TX counties: Ft. Bend, Bexar, Brown, Comal, Gillespie, Goliad, Hays, Karnes, Sutton, Uvalde, Victoria, Walker, and Williamson
What is the life cycle of a Brachys wellsoi?
Adults on oaks ( Quercus spp., Fagaceae) and Bumelia sp. (Sapotaceae).