Arizona beetle - Lampetis drummondi

Based on the distinct spots,

Based on the distinct spots, not arranged in irregular, confluent, transverse bands I would think this is actually Lampetis webbii. Unfortunately the picture does not give a good clear view of the back of the beelte. Still, I don't think it is L. drummondi.

… Dennis Haines, 31 October, 2008 - 12:48pm

Psiloptera (Lampetis)

I think Lampetis is a subgenus under Psiloptera

… Paul Lenhart, 14 March, 2005 - 11:22pm

Yes, but current thinking ...

Based on it's status in American Beetles(1) and;

Bellamy, C. L. 2003. An Illustrated Summary of the Higher Classification of the Superfamily Buprestoidea (Coleoptera). Folia Heyrovskiana, Supplement No. 10, 198 pp, 44 color plates, 453 figures

Summarized here.

also saw several pages like ...

Checklist

Texas list

… Phillip Harpootlian, 17 March, 2005 - 10:51am

Psiloptera drummondi

This buprestid is one of the most common in the southwest yet its in hardly any major guide books. I've recently found that they are Psiloptera drummondi. There is a very similar buprestid with the same size and complection but lacks the gold spots and that one is Hippomelas caelata.

… Paul Lenhart, 6 March, 2005 - 2:16pm

Metallic wood borer

This is definitely one of the metallic wood borers in the family Buprestidae. I might be able to get a more specific ID next time I go over to the U of AZ entomology department:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 9 November, 2004 - 10:15am

metallic wood borer

Thanks, Bug Eric, for your help. We checked other sources and found Buprestidae also referred to as jewel beetles.

Loren Padelford

… Loren & Babs Padelford, 9 November, 2004 - 4:51pm

European vs. "American"

"Jewel beetles" is how Europeans refer to them, whereas the "approved" name in the states is "metallic wood borers." You would not believe how many entomologists would reprimand you for such a "mistake." I would prefer GLOBALLY standardized common names, but that isn't going to happen, at least in my lifetime.

… Eric R. Eaton, 9 November, 2004 - 6:12pm