Gyascutus carolinensis - Gyascutus planicosta

Thanks for the feedback.

Mr. Bellamy's comment regarding unreasonable expectations of quick identifications is well taken.

I'm following up with my entomology professor to get more information about the endemism statement.

In the mean time, I'd be happy to forward a specimen or two to a willing buprestid specialist for more detailed examination.

… Daniel Neal, 31 May, 2011 - 12:58pm

just wonderful!

thanks, Daniel; pls contact Dr Bellamy [chuck.bellamy AT cdfadotcadotgov]

… v belov, 31 May, 2011 - 3:25pm

Moved per the following pers.comm. form Chuck Bellamy

"we wouldn't be wrong to call this Gyascutus planicosta, commonly and widely associated with creosote bush in the greater Mojave and Great Basin deserts... there are two subspecies, but from that photo I'd go no further than the species name. I simply can't imagine how [...] something found on creosote bush could be endemic to a particular dune system, since creosote bush likely only grows on the margins of the dunes anyway..."

Moved from Gyascutus.

… v belov, 31 May, 2011 - 12:47pm

Chuck Bellamy's input:

"I could hazard a guess and would probably be correct, but I try to make it a rule not to do species-level IDs from single photos... as wonderful as BugGuide is, I think it unfortunately fosters even more of an immediate response expectation and that's just not the way it can always work...
"I can tell you that this critter is not endemic to those sand dunes!"

… v belov, 31 May, 2011 - 11:33am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 31 May, 2011 - 7:46am