The key has not been updated to reflect changes in the genus-level classification of Onciderini. It does not include the genus Touroultia, which was never added to the original site's key, nor the newly described genera Lingafelteria, Natasomus, Thomsonista, and Velozideres.
Of the genera included, some genera are only known from one or few specimens (e.g., Cnemosioma, Monneoncideres, Priscatoides, Strioderes, Xylomimus) or are only known from one gender (e.g., Psyllotoxoides). Hence, the key may not encompass the full range of characters in unseen specimens and genders. Geographic distributions listed here are based only on publications and specimen labels. Many twig girdler genera and species are known from one country or island but are likely more widespread, so distribution data should be used cautiously. Similarly, host plant families are also limited to published information and may not reflect the full range.
The Lucid key has four panels. Each feature in the Features Available panel is listed above two or more of its states (also referred to as feature states). For example, "straight or nearly so" and "at least slightly curved" are two states of the feature "Antennomere III shape." Depending on the viewing mode, each state is shown alongside or under a state illustration or icon. State illustrations are indicated by icons, thumbnails, or gallery view, depending on the display options you choose under Features > Display. Once a state has been chosen, it will appear in the lower left Features Chosen panel. The taxa that match the chosen features are displayed in the upper right Entities Remaining panel, while those that do not will be moved to the Entities Discarded panel in the lower right corner.
Each genus in Entities Remaining (possible genera) is linked to an HTML fact sheet page containing informational text and images. This page is indicated by a grey icon to the right of the image or image icon. Each genus is also linked directly to a lateral view image of that entity. Images for each genus are indicated by icons or thumbnails, depending on the display options you choose.
Clicking on an image thumbnail or icon (or, if in state gallery view, on the small corner square within the gallery thumbnail) opens an image window. This image window provides access to all images linked to that taxon or state, as well as to images linked to other taxa or states, via arrows and indices in the image window toolbar.
The first suggested step to take is to go to the Onciderini > Diagnostic Features page. Using simple characters, this page shows how to confirm your specimen is a twig girdler and not something similar. Once you know that your specimen is a twig girdler, you can proceed to the key.
A good way of proceeding into the key is to select what you believe is a strong character in your subject. You may also choose to use Lucid's "Best" feature, which will take you to the feature that will most effectively reduce the number of entities remaining. For this, go to "Features" and select "Best" from the menu, or select the "magic wand" icon in the menu bar. The features are organized (top to bottom) by body segment (head, thorax, abdomen), general appearance, followed by geographic distribution and host plant families.
For convenience, technical terms used in this tool are defined in the glossary; however, users may find it worthwhile to familiarize themselves with general morphological features such as frons, gena, mesosternal process, and so on, prior to starting the key. Understanding these terms will allow the user to navigate more effortlessly though the identification of a specimen.
State illustrations
Drawings used to illustrate the feature states were adapted from illustrations of particular species or are diagrammatic. They are intended to represent a range in appearance and are meant to be used as examples. In choosing a state, your specimen does not need to exactly match the state's illustration. Rather, choose the state to which your specimen looks the most similar.
Genera images
Whenever possible, type species and type specimens were photographed for each genus. In addition, other species within the genus as well as well-preserved specimens for a particular genus were photographed. Please note that the images provided do not necessarily reflect all known morphological variation within the genus, and a number of genera within the Onciderini are quite similar in appearance. Every diagnosis should be confirmed by carefully reviewing the information provided on the fact sheet.
Fact sheet content
A summary of each genus is provided by clicking on the fact sheet icon next to the genus name. The following sections are included in each factsheet:
Note: this page adapted from Bark Beetle Genera of the United States.