Flatheaded Hardwood Borer
Dicerca divaricata
This record describes Dicerca divaricata (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
bright aeneous to dark cupreous with a greenish tint above and below; pronotum widest in the middle, with lateral margins subparallel at base, gently expanding in the middle, then narrowly converging to anterior angles; elytral striae fine but usually distinct; elytral apices usually more distinctly cupreous, entire or truncate, and usually divaricate
Wikipedia reference for Dicerca divaricata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicerca_divaricata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Chrysochroinae
- Tribe
- Dicercini
- Genus
- Dicerca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NB-GA to MB-UT-TX; West Indies
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae in Acer, Betula, Cercis, Fraxinus, Ostrya, Quercus, Ulmus
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dicerca divaricata (Say 1823)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dicerca divaricata. 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 Flatheaded Hardwood Borer (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Joshua P. Basham , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Flatheaded Hardwood Borer
What is Flatheaded Hardwood Borer?
Flatheaded Hardwood Borer (Dicerca divaricata) is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Flatheaded Hardwood Borer?
♂♂ 15.0-20.0 mm long, 5.0-6.7 mm wide; ♀♀ 15.1-22.0 mm long, 5.1-7.5 mm wide
How do you identify Flatheaded Hardwood Borer?
bright aeneous to dark cupreous with a greenish tint above and below; pronotum widest in the middle, with lateral margins subparallel at base, gently expanding in the middle, then narrowly converging to anterior angles; elytral striae fine but usually distinct; elytral apices usually more distinctly cupreous, entire or truncate, and usually divaricate
Where is Flatheaded Hardwood Borer found?
Range: NB-GA to MB-UT-TX; West Indies
What does Flatheaded Hardwood Borer eat?
The diet of the Flatheaded Hardwood Borer includes Larvae in Acer, Betula, Cercis, Fraxinus, Ostrya, Quercus, Ulmus.