Buprestid larvae are distinguished primarily by well-developed 
ambulatory plates on the upper and lower surfaces of the first 
segment behind the head, by the presence of a central line, groove, 
or V on the upper plate, and by the absence of legs. The larvae 
of all bark and wood boring species are typically “flatheaded,” a 
condition caused by the greatly enlarged first and sometimes sec- 
ond and third thoracic segments (fig. 46). Leaf-mining larvae are 
flattened, rather oval-shaped, deeply notched at the sides, and 
gradually taper toward the rear. The true head in all larvae is 
comparatively small, more or less retracted into the first thoracic 
segment, and scarcely visible. 
COURTESY OF DUKE UNIV. SCH. OF FOREST. 
FIGURE 46.—Typical larva of a flatheaded borer. 
Bark- and wood-boring buprestids deposit their eggs singly or 
in masses either on the bark, in crevices in the bark or wood, or 
under the bark at the edges of wounds. Weakened, injured, dead, 
or dying trees and stumps are usually attacked. Occasionally, 
green trees are also infested. The larvae feed either under the 
bark, in the sapwood or heartwood, or in two or more of these 
places. Their mines are winding and usually oval in cross section. 
Eventually, they terminate in elongated pupal cells which are 
connected to the surface by short, oval exit holes. A characteristic 
of the mines is that they usually are packed tightly with layers. 
of sawdust-like borings and pellets and their walls are scarred 
with fine, transverse lines. Many wood-boring species spend the 
winter as adults in pupal cells. A few overwinter in the larval 
stage. The life cycle usually requires 1 or 2 years, but in certain 
Species it takes many years. 
Key to the Adults of the Eastern Genera of Buprestidae 
1. Hind coxal plates scarcely widened internally |... 2 
Hind coxal plates distinctly widened internally, front 
manreine straight, hind margin oblique «2..0.0200000022. 10 
Zea laeOUNOKa XatLUNCAtetAt DASC ie) Lill ee a EE 3 
Prounorax lobedvatibase ns. a ee ee 5 
3. Mesosternum scarcely visible; breeds in small branches of 
DES ose macesta shh a ta Cen BU nt Mastogentus 
Mesosternummemarcinate ss 60... eo Be. 4 
A-SOCULeM INGISUINGE eat 2) Re aes... Acmaeodera 
Scucellum= plainly indicated ........... 220.002 ee Ptosima 
5. Antennae not received in grooves on underside of 
FORO GINO Ti casxet tee ka tae bid Pee es Ao oe eel Raa al oa ree aloe 6 
Antennae received in grooves on underside of prothorax 7 
157 
