Euchroma giganteum

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Euchroma giganteum
Euchroma giganteum from Brazil, mounted specimen at National Museum (Prague)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Buprestoidea
Family: Buprestidae
Genus: Euchroma
Dejean, 1833
Species: E. giganteum
Binomial name
Euchroma giganteum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
  • Euchroma gigantea

Euchroma giganteum, the Metallic Wood Boring Beetle or Giant Metallic Ceiba Borer, is a species of beetle in the family Buprestidae, the only species in the genus Euchroma.[1]

Description

Euchroma giganteum is one of the largest of the buprestid beetles (hence the Latin name "giganteum" of the species), reaching a length of about 50–60 millimetres (2.0–2.4 in). Catoxantha and Megaloxantha are among the few other members of the family that reach a comparable size. The body of E. giganteum is robust and elongated and the elytra have a wrinkled surface and a metallic green colour with purplish tinges. The pronotum has a dark spot on each side.

The males apparently attract the females by a clicking sound produced by the elytra. This species usually mates in August. The larvae reach a length of about 12–15 centimetres (4.7–5.9 in). They feed on decaying timber, especially of the Bombacaceae family (kapok or ceiba trees, mainly Ceiba pentandra , Bombacopsis spp. and Pseudobombax spp.). The elytra of newly emerged adults have a coating of a yellowish, waxy powder. As the beetle ages this powder wear off.

Distribution

This species is native to Central and South America (Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Cuba, Peru, Brazil, Colombia).

Subspecies

  • Euchroma giganteum giganteum (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Euchroma giganteum goliath (Laporte & Gory, 1836)
  • Euchroma giganteum harperi Sharp, 1881
  • Euchroma giganteum inca Obenberger, 1928
  • Euchroma giganteum peruanum Obenberger, 1928

Gallery

  • Euchroma giganteum

  • Euchroma giganteum from Sammlung Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe

References

  1. ↑ Bellamy, C. L. (2010). "Genus Euchroma". A Checklist of World Buprestoidea. Retrieved 21 Jun 2011. 

External links


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