Mesquite Girdler
Oncideres rhodosticta
This record describes Oncideres rhodosticta (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished from O. cingulata by three black dots on thorax, O. pustulata by much smaller size. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2017 widespread and common girdler of mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamiinae
- Tribe
- Onciderini
- Genus
- Oncideres (Twig Girdling Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ to sw TX / n. Mex
Seasonal Activity
Aug-Dec (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Twigs of Mesquite, acacia, mimosa, parkinsonia, ebony; Honey Mesquite appears to be the preferred host
Life History
Adults were observed at 1pm on an overcast day in September girdling trees scattered over a broad wash 5 mi SE Portal, AZ. Females were feeding on tender bark out near the tips of freshly girdled branches. They were braced against branchlets or thorns with the legs wrapped around the branch, the head facing outward, with the antennae extended forward. Some females had made as many as 10 egg niches, five on each side of the branch and separated by 5-5.7 cm on a side; others had not yet begun to oviposit. Most of the girdles were 11-12 mm. Males were usually found resting in a pairing position but when separated from, or searching for, the female they ran up and down the branches above the girdle with the antennae extending forward, one on each side of the branch.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oncideres rhodosticta Bates 1885
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Oncideres rhodosticta. 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 Mesquite Girdler (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Joshua Stuart Rose , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesquite Girdler
What is Mesquite Girdler?
Mesquite Girdler (Oncideres rhodosticta) is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Mesquite Girdler?
12-19 mm
How do you identify Mesquite Girdler?
Distinguished from O. cingulata by three black dots on thorax, O. pustulata by much smaller size. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2017
Where is Mesquite Girdler found?
Range: AZ to sw TX / n. Mex
What does Mesquite Girdler eat?
The diet of the Mesquite Girdler includes Twigs of Mesquite, acacia, mimosa, parkinsonia, ebony; Honey Mesquite appears to be the preferred host.
When is Mesquite Girdler active?
Mesquite Girdler: seasonal activity - Aug-Dec (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Mesquite Girdler?
Adults were observed at 1pm on an overcast day in September girdling trees scattered over a broad wash 5 mi SE Portal, AZ. Females were feeding on tender bark out near the tips of freshly girdled branches. They were braced against branchlets or thorns with the legs wrapped around the branch, the head facing outward, with the antennae extended forward. Some females had made as many as 10 egg niches, five on each side of the branch and separated by 5-5.7 cm on a side; others had not yet begun to oviposit. Most of the girdles were 11-12 mm. Males were usually found resting in a pairing position but when separated from, or searching for, the female they ran up and down the branches above the girdle with the antennae extending forward, one on each side of the branch.