Banded Hickory Borer
Knulliana cincta
This record describes Knulliana cincta (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
note prominent pronotal spines
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cerambycinae
- Tribe
- Bothriospilini
- Genus
- Knulliana
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e US, AZ - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) Knulliana cincta (Drury) - e.US to c.TX Knulliana cincta sonorensis (Schaeffer) - AZ to w.TX / n. Mex.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on dead and seasoned branches/limbs of hardwoods, including oak and hickory. Juglans, Carya, Castanea, Quercus, Celtis, Pyrus, Sapindus, Salix ( 5 ) , Prosopis (Hovore & Giesbert 1976), Citrus (Dean 1953), Leucaena (Hovore & Penrose 1982)
Life History
Eggs are laid in crevices in the bark, or directly into the wood; larvae feed the first season beneath the bark, then head deeper into the wood ( 6 ) Pupation occurs in the fall or spring between wads of frass at the end of the tunnel. ( 7 ) Life cycle probably takes 2 years to complete ( 7 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: cincta (L). 'girdled'
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Knulliana cincta. 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 Banded Hickory Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , v belov , Ken Childs , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Banded Hickory Borer
How big is Banded Hickory Borer?
15-35 mm
How do you identify Banded Hickory Borer?
note prominent pronotal spines
Where is Banded Hickory Borer found?
Range: e US, AZ - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) Knulliana cincta (Drury) - e.US to c.TX Knulliana cincta sonorensis (Schaeffer) - AZ to w.TX / n. Mex.
What does Banded Hickory Borer eat?
The diet of the Banded Hickory Borer includes Larvae feed on dead and seasoned branches/limbs of hardwoods, including oak and hickory. Juglans, Carya, Castanea, Quercus, Celtis, Pyrus, Sapindus, Salix ( 5 ) , Prosopis (Hovore & Giesbert 1976), Citrus (Dean 1953), Leucaena (Hovore & Penrose 1982).
What is the life cycle of a Banded Hickory Borer?
Eggs are laid in crevices in the bark, or directly into the wood; larvae feed the first season beneath the bark, then head deeper into the wood ( 6 ) Pupation occurs in the fall or spring between wads of frass at the end of the tunnel. ( 7 ) Life cycle probably takes 2 years to complete ( 7 )