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

Lamiinae

Classification

Family Cerambycidae > Subfamily Lamiinae

Introduction

The subfamily Lamiinae Latreille, 1825 currently contains nearly 21,000 described species in over 3,000 genera and 82 tribes. Photographs of 568 exemplar specimens are currently available for this subfamily.

NOTE: Many experts agree that tribal classification within this huge subfamily is problematic (i.e., artificial). In a recent work by Svacha & Lawrence (2014), the authors do not discuss lamiine tribal classification, stating that it is "...unsatisfactory, unstable, and in many points obviously non-phylogenetic." See also Slipinski & Escalona's (2013) excellent treatment of Australian Lamiinae for a discussion of tribal classification.

Diagnostic Features of Adults

Mesoscutum with undivided stridulatory file. Mouth cavity ventrally or posteroventrally oriented. Prosternal process strongly and abruptly expanded at apex. Body slightly flattened to moderately convex; or strongly convex. Inner subapical edge of protibia with antenna cleaner. Scutellum not abruptly elevated. Head width just behind eyes not distinctly greater than prothoracic width. Frontal region strongly deflexed, vertical or inflexed from behind eyes. Prosternal process flat, concave, or only slightly elevated or curved behind coxae; or strongly elevated and curved dorsally behind coxae (Lawrence, 2007).

Diagnostic Features of Larvae

Larva. Head elongate (except Sternotomis), with sides parallel or converging posteriorly; dorsal margins of epicranial halves behind frons fused for their entire length; tentorial -cross-arm internal, at right angles to hypostoma (i.e. occipital foramen not divided). Mandible elongate, with cutting edge oblique and apex rounded. Lower boundary of frons not produced over clypeus; six (occasionally more) epistomal setae present. Clypeus trapezoidal, wide, filling space between mandibles. Labrum transverse to cordate. Ocelli, if present, never more than two pairs (although there may be one to three vestigial ocelli comprising a pigmented spot without a distinct lens), usually one pair. Gula usually broad. Maxillae rigid (only movable from stipes), cardo, maxillary articulating area and submentum fused and attached for entire distance between ventral articulations of mandibles; palpifer large, distinct, bearing lobe, and with outer margin straight (except Acanthocinus); process of palpifer absent. Antennae very short and retractile; two- or three-segmented. Prothorax having presternum and epipleurum usually distinctly separated; eusternum sometimes indistinct. Postnotal fold absent. Abdomen with region surrounding spiracle not protruding; epipleurum protuberant on from three to all segments; pleural discs absent; hypopleurum small; coxal lobe large. Legs absent or occasionally present, but then vestigial. Spiracles of mesothorax protruding into prothorax. Adapted from Duffy (1953).

Geographic Distribution of Subfamily

Worldwide

Biology and Economic Importance

Larvae of most species develop for about one year in the trunk or branch wood of living or dead trees (although some species can have two broods per year and other species may take five years or more for maturation). Larvae of some species develop in herbaceous plants. A few notorious species can infest and kill otherwise healthy trees and can have a major economic impact. Others can attack dead wood used in buildings and furniture. Adults are relatively short lived, probably most living less than 1 month. Many do little or no feeding as adults, although in some groups they actively feed on pollen and nectar of flowers or are attracted to sap flows on trees (summarized from Linsley, 1961; Lawrence, 2007, and other sources).

Selected References to Adult Specimens

Selected References to Larvae Specimens


Home Identification Keys Fact Sheets Gallery Resources About Search