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Genus Moneilema - Cactus Long-horned Beetles

Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)
Superfamily Chrysomeloidea (Long-horned and Leaf Beetles)
Family Cerambycidae (Longhorned Beetles)
Subfamily Lamiinae (Flat-Faced Longhorns)
Tribe Moneilemini
Genus Moneilema (Cactus Long-horned Beetles)
Size
Circa 13-37 mm
Identification
Black, with spines on pronotum. Associated with cactus. Some (or all?) species flightless.

Of the six species listed in Nearctica, BugGuide has no photos or information for Moneilema annulata.
Moneilema blapsides has mottled black and white elytra.
Moneilema armatum has antennae with no white markings

Moneilema semipunctatum has antennae with alternating black and white

The remaining two have a white band on the third antennal segment only:
Moneilema appressum has striated elytra

Moneilema gigas has elytra dotted, not striated
Range
Southwestern United States. M. gigas is reported from Arizona. M. armata reported from Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
Habitat
Deserts with cactus
Season
May-September
Food
Adults feed on cactus, esp. cholla, Opuntia species.
Life Cycle
Larvae feed on cactus.
Remarks
Guide TBA--PC (life history, origin name, range species)
Print References
Werner, p. 64--M. gigas (2)
Arnett and Jacques, #171--M. armata (3)