Acmaeodera is a genus of beetles in the family Buprestidae, a group of metallic wood-boring beetles favored by insect collectors. Whereas most beetles including most buprestids fly with their elytra held out and vibrating their hindwings to give lift and thrust, Acmaedodera, however, fly with their hind wings only — the elytra are fused down the center and form a shield over the insect's abdomen, even during flight. This fact, combined with the banding across the abdomen which is common (though not universal) in this family, gives many of them a distinct wasp-like appearance when in flight. Several are therefore considered hymenopteran mimics.[1]

Acmaeodera
female A. viridaenea on Grewia flava flower
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Buprestidae
Tribe: Acmaeoderini
Genus: Acmaeodera
Eschscholtz, 1829
Acmaeodera brooksi
Acmaeodera excellens
Acmaeodera louwi
Acmaeodera signata gaerdesi
Acmaeodera viridaenea

Species edit

The genus contains the following species:[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Thomas Eisner; Maria Eisner; Melody Siegler (2005). Secret Weapons: Defenses of Insects, Spiders, Scorpions, and Other Many-legged Creatures. Harvard University. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-674-01882-2. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  2. ^ Bellamy, C. L. (2010) A Checklist of World Buprestoidea.