Australian Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Volume 2: Subfamily Cerambycinae

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Description

Longhorn Beetles Cerambycidae are one of the most easily recognised groups of beetles, a family that worldwide encompasses over 33 000 species in 5200 genera. With over 1400 species classified in 300 genera, this is the sixth largest among 117 beetle families in Australia. These beetles often attack and kill living forest or orchard trees and develop in construction timber (like the European House borer, introduced to WA), causing serious damage. Virtually all Cerambycidae feed on living or dead plant tissues and play a significant role in all terrestrial environments where plants are found. Larvae often utilise damaged or dead trees for their development, and through feeding on rotten wood form an important element of the saproxylic fauna, speeding energy circulation in these habitats. Many species are listed as quarantine pests because of their destructive role to the timber industry. This second of three volumes on Australian Longhorn Beetles covers the taxonomy of genera of the Cerambycinae, with comments on natural history and morphology. One hundred and forty-two Cerambycinae genera are diagnosed and described, an illustrated key to their identification is provided, and images illustrate representatives of genera and of actual type specimens. A full listing of all Australian species with synonymies and bibliographic citations is also included. Recipient of a 2017 Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation for Taxonomic Zoology

Author Bio

Adam Slipinski is the Senior Principal Research Scientist and curator at the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO. His research concentrates on the phylogeny and higher classification of beetles. He is the author of nearly 200 research publications, a co-editor of Volumes 1 and 2 in the Australian Beetles Series, and co-author of Ladybird Beetles of the Australo-Pacific Region and Volumes 1, 2 and 3 in the Australian Longhorn Beetles Series. Hermes E. Escalona is the Zimmerman Fellow and curator at the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO. He is interested in systematics, morphological and molecular evolution of beetles with a current focus on weevils (Curculionidae) and small beetle families. He is the author of more than 50 research publications and co-author of Australian Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Volume 1 and Australian Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Volume 2.