Explanation of Names
Author of genus is Perty, 1830. (This was Joseph Anton Maximilian Perty, 1804-1884, worked in Switzerland.) Chariessa is a Christian martyr, venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
This Source says Chariessa was drowned by having stones tied around her neck. (Other sources say Chariessa was a woman.) Clearly this is the origin of the name--the antennae of this beetle resembling the stones. This is such an interesting story, here is a quote from the source above:
The Holy Martyrs Victoria, Leonid, Nika, Galina, Chariessa, Callis, Nunechia, Vasilissa and Theodora...
These glorious saints were thrown into the sea, but it refused to receive them. They walked upon the sea as if it were dry land and sang praises to God: ‘I have won one battle, O Lord, and the soldiers have persecuted me, O Lord, and I have not denied Thee, O Lord; save Thou my soul!’ The pagans were at first astounded to behold this, but they then tied stones around their necks and again threw them into the deep, where they were drowned. They all suffered with honor for Christ our King and Lord in the year 281.
Range
Mostly southwestern United States(?). One species, C. pilosa, in eastern, central states.
Habitat
Varied: fields, meadows, forests
Season
Early summer. C. pilosa taken in June in
Minnesota. C. pilosa seen April-July in North Carolina.
(1)Food
Adult takes nectar, perhaps pollen.
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in crevices, holes in bark. Larvae prey on wood-boring insects. Pupate in soil or in galleries under bark.
(2)Print References
Brimley, p. 158--C. pilosa
(1)
Milne, pp. 575-576, fig. 141--C. elegans, descr. C. pilosa
(2)
White, p. 208, plate 3--C. elegans, fig. 88--C. pilosa
(3)
