Species Zagymnus clerinus

Zagymnus clerinus (LeConte)

Orig. Comb: Agallissus clerinus LeConte 1873

Clerid-like

1 sp. n. of Mex. (1)

13-17 mm (FSCA)

Orange pattern can be reduced or even absent

coastal s.TX-s.-FL-e.SC / Cuba - Map (1)(2)(3)(4), most records FL-SC

coastal sabal habitats (2)

adults of this uncommon sp.(5) are active Apr-Jul in FL (BG data)

Larvae feed and develop inside dead Sabal palmetto (2)(5) and Sabal mexicana petioles.(3)

Eggs are laid in late summer indiscriminately on the surface or broken tips of Sabal sp. petioles. Larvae feed on the woody longitudinal fibers of the petiole. Larval tunnels are usually 30cm long by 3cm wide and ~1cm deep. Larvae may take a year or more to develop and 2 larvae can develop in each petiole, one on either side of the sagittal plane. Larvae form a pupal chamber and pupate in late spring. Adults exit the petiole by chewing an elliptical hole through the surface that's approximately 10mm by 5mm.(3)

Populations of Zagymnus clerinus and other Agallissini species can be located by finding their distinctly elliptical exit holes in the dead petioles of Palmetto trees. This has led to the discovery of the anthropogenic translocation of the species, as well as Osmopleura chamaeropis, across the East coast of the United States through the shipping of Florida nursery Palmettos for the landscape trade. As a result, Zagymnus clerinus has been able to sucessfully establish populations in native stands of Palmettos in at least SC and TX in recent years.(3)

Agallissus lepturoides (Chevrolat)

- Range: southmost Texas to C. Amer.