Plant Pest Diagnostics Center - Entomology Laboratory
California Arthropods - Algodones Dunes
Imperial County, California
The Algodones Sand Dunes represent the largest sand dune system in California
and the habitat is home to a number of endemic plants and animals. These dunes
are also a popular destination for numerous people for recreation, camping and
off-road vehicle activities. The Bureau of Land Management oversees this
area and is currently circulating a new set of alternatives for public commentary
regarding future recreation and conservation plans.
The following beetles are endemic to these dunes, and thus are all under some
threat unless sufficient natural habitat is preserved. None of these species
have ever had photographs available and are presented here to engender appreciation
for them.
Insecta: Coleoptera: Buprestidae (prepared by Dr. Chuck Bellamy)
Acmaeoderoides stramineus
(photo by Chuck Bellamy) |
Acmaeoderoides stramineus Nelson, 1968NEAR ENDEMICThis little (ca. 3 mm length) species belongs to a small genus with 12 species distributed in arid southeastern California, western Arizona and northern Baja California. This particular species was the least common until its adult host plant preferences were discovered. It frequents flowers of Tiquilia plicata , Palafoxia arida B. Turner & M. Morris (Asteraceae) and Eriogonum deserticola S. Watson (Polygonaceae). As far as is known, this beetle is commonly found on these adult hosts around the perimeter of the Algodones dunes and the larval host plant remains unknown. Several specimens were found many years ago near Ocotillo, to the west of the Imperial Valley. References
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Agrilus harenus
| No photo available | Agrilus harenus Nelson, 1994ENDEMICThe most recently described endemic buprestid from the Algodones, this species is found on the foliage and likely uses Croton wigginsii Wheeler (Euphorbiaceae) as its larval host. This plant is endemic to the Algodones and is also threatened. References
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Lepismadora algodones
(photo by Chuck Bellamy) |
Lepismadora algodones Velten, in Velten & Bellamy, 1987ENDEMICThis small (ca. 3 mm length) species is the most significant buprestid found in this habitat, since it represents a monotypic genus, only very distantly related to any other North American species. The nearest related taxa belong to the genus Eudiadora Obenberger, 1924, known only from Argentina. This little insect is collected from the flowers of Tiquilia plicata (Torrey) A. Richardson (Boraginaceae) and it only flies during the hottest time of the day, ca. 10am to 2pm in June and early July, the hottest time of the year. Despite the rather widespread nature of this adult host plant, the larval host plant remains unknown and the beetle has been collected only in and along the old canal on the west side of the dunes. References
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Prasinalia imperialis
(photo by Chuck Bellamy) |
Prasinalia imperialis (Barr, 1969)ENDEMICThis beautiful species is the largest (up to ca. 24 mm length) buprestid found in the sand dune habitat. When newly emerged the otherwise iridescent red-purple body is covered with a dense covering of white waxy powder, which provides both camouflage when it sits on sun-bleached stems and helps prevent dessication as an insulation layer. It is associated with the endemic Eriogonum deserticola S. Watson (Polygonaceae). Adults are found resting on the foliage in the early morning hours and it quickly flies when approached as the day heats up. This species with its endemic host association is endemic to the Algodones dunes. References
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