Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle
Polygraphus rufipennis
This record describes Polygraphus rufipennis (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The antennae are distinctively leaf-shaped.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scolytinae
- Tribe
- Polygraphini
- Genus
- Polygraphus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Most of Canada and northern half of the US south to NC, TN, SD, AZ, OR
Diet and Behavior
Diet: On Picea (Pinaceae)
Life History
Eggs are laid in the sides of 3-5 irregular, short galleries which radiate away from a central nuptial chamber. The bark, not the wood, is slightly engraved.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polygraphus rufipennis (Kirby, 1837)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Polygraphus rufipennis. 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 Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov , mfdigiro , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle
What is Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle?
Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle (Polygraphus rufipennis) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle?
The antennae are distinctively leaf-shaped.
Where is Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle found?
Range: Most of Canada and northern half of the US south to NC, TN, SD, AZ, OR
What does Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle eat?
The diet of the Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle includes On Picea (Pinaceae).
What is the life cycle of a Four-eyed Spruce Bark Beetle?
Eggs are laid in the sides of 3-5 irregular, short galleries which radiate away from a central nuptial chamber. The bark, not the wood, is slightly engraved.