Apate terebrans

Apate terebrans
Apate terebrans from Ethiopia, male and female. Mounted specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Bostrichidae
Subfamily:	Bostrichinae
Tribe:	Apatini
Genus:	Apate
Species:	A. terebrans
Binomial name
Apate terebrans Pallas, 1772
Synonyms
Apate barbifrons Dupont in Dejean, 1833 Apate dispar Fahraeus, 1871 Apate muricatus Fabricius, 1775 Ligniperda terebrans Pallas, 1772

Apate terebrans, common names shot-hole borer or trunk borer or girdler, is a species of horned powder-post beetles belonging to the family Bostrichidae.

Description

Apate terebrans can reach a length of 20–32 mm (0.79–1.26 in). The body is black or dark brown, elongated, and somewhat cylindrical. The head is bent downward and scarsely visible from above, its pronotum has rasp-like teeth in the front, the elytra have two or three prominent ridges, and the legs have razor-sharp claws.

These polyphagous boring beetles are a dangerous pest, causing significant damages to the plantations and forests. The larvae develop in a variety of timbers, where they bore tunnels, lowering the commercial value of the wood. Adults also feed on living trees and may cause the death of young plants. The lifecycle of these insects usually lasts 1 to 3 years.

Main host plants are cashew (Anacardium occidentale), various Acacia and Citrus species, coffee (Coffea arabica, Coffea robusta), Eucalyptus polycarpa, Khaya species, guava (Psidium guajava), Tectona grandis, Terminalia ivorensis, cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and Triplochiton scleroxylon.

Distribution

This species is native to Africa and Madagascar. Now, it is widespread in Central and South America. In Europe, it has been reported in Austria, Georgia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

References

• Biolib
• PaDIL
• Hallan, J. Synopsis of the described Coleoptera of the World
• A. terebrans on Holzfragen.de
• FAO - Overview of forest pests – Ghana