Dicerca tenebrica

Dicerca tenebrica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Elateriformia
Family:	Buprestidae
Genus:	Dicerca
Species:	D. tenebrica
Binomial name
Dicerca tenebrica (Kirby, 1837)

Dicerca tenebrica, the flatheaded wood borer[1] or flatheaded poplar borer,[2] is a brassy to black coloured[3] beetle from Chrysochroinae subfamily which can be found in Canada and both Southern[4] and Northeastern United States. The species was first described by William Kirby in 1837.[5]

Description

D. tenebrica have a flat head (hence the name), while its vertex is slightly impressed from the middle. Both disk and vertex are coarsed and punctated. Its prothorax have lateral margins which are parallel at base and expanded closer to the middle. The lateral margins which are closer to elytron are subparallel and are wide farther from the middle.[5]

Females of the D. tenebrica are different from the rest of the genus due to reduced middle tooth or it complete absence off. Males are 15–21.5 millimetres (0.59–0.85 in) long and are 4.8–7.2 millimetres (0.19–0.28 in) wide while females' length can range from 14.5–26 millimetres (0.57–1.02 in) with width being from 4.5–9.0 millimetres (0.18–0.35 in).[5]

Ecology

The species flies from March to November during which months it feeds on poplar species[5] (especially Populus balsamifera). In Alberta, it is known for feeding on Pinus contorta, aspens, jack pines, and white spruces[6] in which they also lay their eggs.[3]

References

1. Stein, John D. & Kennedy, Patrick Charles (1972). Key to Shelterbelt Insects in the Northern Great Plains. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 149.
2. Thomas, A. W. (April 6, 2012). "Species Dicerca tenebrica - Flatheaded Poplar Borer". BugGuide. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
3. Evans, Arthur V. & Hogue, James N. (2006). Field Guide to Beetles of California. University of California Press/Regents of the University of California. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-520-24655-3.
4. Nelson, G. H.; Walters Jr., G. C.; Haines, R. D. & Bellamy, C. L. (2008). "A catalog and bibliography of the Buprestoidea of America north of Mexico". The Coleopterists Society.
5. Nelson, G. H. (1975). "A revision of the genus Dicerca in North America (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)" (PDF). Entomologische Arbeiten aus dem Museum G. Frey Tutzing bei München. Kansas City: 126–129.
6. Hilchie, Gerald J. (2003). "Species Details Dicerca tenebrica". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 17, 2020.

Further reading

• Solomon, J. D. (1995). Guide to Insect Borers in North American Broadleaf Trees and Shrubs. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook AH-706. 735 pp.