''Enoplocerus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

longhorn beetle The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), also known as long-horned or longicorns, are a large family of beetles, with over 35,000 species described. Most species are characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than ...

s in the

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Prioninae The Prioninae are a subfamily of Cerambycidae (long-horned beetles). They are typically large (25–70 mm) and usually brown or black. The males of a few genera sport large mandibles that are used in fights with other males, similar to stag ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Cerambycidae. It is

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

, being represented by the single species ''Enoplocerus armillatus'', commonly known as the giant longhorn beetle or imperious sawyer.

Description

''Enoplocerus armillatus'' exhibits strong

sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most ani ...

and is one of the largest Cerambycids. Females reach a length of and males , but specimens up to have been captured. Males have impressive and large

mandible In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower tooth, teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movabl ...

s. This species is characterized by very long black antennae, pale brown elytra, quite thick forelegs, and four sharp spines on both sides of the prothorax. It has diurnal habits and it is

frugivorous A frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts and seeds. Approximately 20% of mammalian herbivores eat fruit. Frugivores are highly dependent on the abundance and ...

and attracted by tree

exudate An exudate is a fluid emitted by an organism through pores or a wound, a process known as exuding or exudation. ''Exudate'' is derived from ''exude'' 'to ooze' from Latin ''exsūdāre'' 'to (ooze out) sweat' (''ex-'' 'out' and ''sūdāre'' 'to ...

s, while

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e are root borers, feeding on decaying materials.

Distribution and habitat

''Enoplocerus armillatus'' can be found from Costa Rica to Argentina and Brazil. It prefers dry or partially wet areas, at an elevation of about .

Gallery

File:Enoplocerus armillatus (modified).png, ''Enoplocerus armillatus'' at the Museum of Zoology (Saint Petersburg) File:Cerambycidae - Enoplocerus armillatus-1.JPG, ''Enoplocerus armillatus'' at the

Montréal Insectarium The Montreal Insectarium (french: link=no, Insectarium de Montréal) is a natural history museum located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, featuring a large quantity of insects from all around the world. It is the largest insect museum in North America ...

References

Biolib
* F. Vital
armillatus Cerambycoidea

Checklist of the Cerambycidae, or longhorned beetles (Coleoptera) of the Western Hemisphere
* Laura Rosado-Dougla
Sobre algunas localidades colombianas para conocer y estudiar a Callipogon lemoinei (Reiche) y Enoplocerus armillatum (L.)
Prioninae Beetles described in 1767 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Prioninae-stub