Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer
Euwallacea fornicatus
This record describes Euwallacea fornicatus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
virtually indistinguishable from others in the fornicatus clade, however... if the E. fornicatus you have are from San Diego or Tijuana River they are E. kuroshio , and the ones from the Los Angeles area are E. fornicatus . Those in FL and HI are E. perbrevis . -Pers. Comm. R.J. Rabaglia, 2019
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scolytinae
- Tribe
- Xyleborini
- Genus
- Euwallacea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Introduced in the United States (California: Los Angeles area) ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Current comb.: Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff, 1868)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Euwallacea fornicatus. 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 Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Marc DiGirolomo
Frequently Asked Questions About Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer
What is Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer?
Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer?
virtually indistinguishable from others in the fornicatus clade, however... if the E. fornicatus you have are from San Diego or Tijuana River they are E. kuroshio , and the ones from the Los Angeles area are E. fornicatus . Those in FL and HI are E. perbrevis . -Pers. Comm. R.J. Rabaglia, 2019
Where is Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer found?
Range: Native to China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Introduced in the United States (California: Los Angeles area) ( 3 )