ColeopteraBuprestidae – Metallic Wood-boring Beetles

Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis

Polycesta aruensis

This record describes Polycesta aruensis (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - Polycesta aruensis
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[= velasco ] - alternate interstrial spaces of the elytra costate, sutural margins of the elytra widened at the apices and exhibiting a very distinctive reddish green luster. Det. S. G. Wellso

Wikipedia reference for Polycesta aruensis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycesta aruensis.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder
Polyphaga
Superfamily
Buprestoidea
Family
Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
Subfamily
Polycestinae
Tribe
Thrincopygini
Genus
Polycesta

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

[= velasco ] occurs at the lower elevations in the southwest

Geographic Range

CA-AZ, s. TX / Mex. - Map

Diet and Behavior

Diet: in Texas, larvae in Texas Ebony - Ebenopsis ebano (Fabaceae) and Willow - Salix

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Polycesta aruensis Obenberger 1924

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Polycesta aruensis. 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.

Explore Coleoptera families and species →

Photos of Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis (6)

Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 1
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 2
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 3
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 4
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 5
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis - photo 6
(c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov

Photo credits: (c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov

Frequently Asked Questions About Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis

What is Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis?

Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis (Polycesta aruensis) is a species in the family Buprestidae, within the order Coleoptera.

How big is Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis?

[= velasco ] 15-27.5 mm

How do you identify Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis?

[= velasco ] - alternate interstrial spaces of the elytra costate, sutural margins of the elytra widened at the apices and exhibiting a very distinctive reddish green luster. Det. S. G. Wellso

Where is Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis found?
FeatureDetails
Habitat[= velasco ] occurs at the lower elevations in the southwest
RangeCA-AZ, s. TX / Mex. - Map
What does Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis eat?

The diet of the Polycesta (Arizonica) aruensis includes in Texas, larvae in Texas Ebony - Ebenopsis ebano (Fabaceae) and Willow - Salix.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: (c) Colin Barrows, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Joel DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joel DuBois | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Joshua P. Basham; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.