Longicorn ID: Tool for Diagnosing Cerambycoid Families, Subfamilies, and Tribes

Monochamini

Classification

Introduction

The tribe Monochamini Gistel, 1848 currently contains ~1,500 species in 263 genera. Photographs of 50 exemplar specimens are currently available for this tribe.

Diagnostic Features of Adults

Body small to large-sized, from less than 10 to more than 40 mm in length; generally elongate; body with or without metallic reflection. Eyes generally reniform, complete (not completely divided into upper and lower lobes). Antennae filiform, unarmed; antennae short (not extending beyond elytral apices) or long (generally extending beyond elytral apices by several segments); antennae with or without distinct tufts of setae; antennae with or without dense setae along segments. Head without distinct lateral or anterior projections. Pronotum shape variable, from approximately subquadrate (about as long as wide) to transverse (distinctly wider than long); lateral margins of pronotum variable, with or without distinct spines or blunt tubercles. Mesocoxal cavity open to mesepimeron. Wings generally complete. Legs with tarsal claws smooth; claws narrowly to moderately separated (divergent) or broadly divergent (divaricate). Elytral humeri distinctly modified (angulate, elevated, or spinose) or not.

Diagnostic Features of Larvae

Larva. Head generally depressed; antennal foramen closed behind. One pair of ocelli present. Gula distinct, protuberant. Prothorax with posterior area of pronotum finely velvety pubescent or asperate. Abdomen with dorsal ampullae with two distinct transverse furrows, and four transverse rows of tubercles (except certain Indian species), which are usually spiculate. Epipleurum strongly protuberant on all segments, except sometimes the first two. Spiracles without marginal chambers. Adapted from Duffy (1953).

Geographic Distribution of Tribe

Biology and Economic Importance

Members of this tribe include one of the most notorious cerambycids: the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis. In 1996, this invasive species was discovered in New York City and later in Chicago. Native to China and the Korean peninsula, ALB was accidentally imported into the U.S. via wooden shipping materials (Lingafelter & Hoebeke 2002). By 1998, ALB infestations resulted in the destruction of nearly 7,000 trees. Recently, the USDA estimated that, if left uncontrolled, ALB and other Chinese wood boring beetles could cause more than $100 billion in damage to the US economy (Meyer 2010). Accidental introductions continue, and as recently as 2011 a population of ALB was detected in southwest Ohio (USDA-APHIS 2011).

Selected References to Adult Specimens

Selected References to Larvae Specimens

Acalolepta sublusca
(Thomson, 1857); dorsal
holotype specimen
Cerambycidae:Lamiinae:Monochamini
Photograph © E.H. Nearns

Achthophora costulata
Heller, 1923; dorsal
holotype specimen
Cerambycidae:Lamiinae:Monochamini
Photograph © E.H. Nearns

All Monochamini exemplar species images


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