Chrysobothris nixa Horn,1886

Westcott, Richard L., 2023, New host and distribution records plus additional notes for North American species of Chrysobothris Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with designation of a lectotype for Chrysobothris vulcanica LeConte, 1861, Insecta Mundi 2023 (967), pp. 1-10 : 5

Chrysobothris nixa Horn,1886

Nelson et al. (2008) stated that adults of this species are found on Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don (Cupressaceae) , but did not list it as a larval host. However, Everson (1978) recorded it from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, “…in a gallery in Thuja plicata …” I reared a specimen from that host: Oregon, Marion Co., 2 mi ENE Hubbard, emerged 15-V-1972, OSAC. Also, Oregon, Linn Co., Cascade Range, NW Sec. 15, T12S, R6E, 3600′, 17-VIII- 1983, adult collected on downed Cupressus nootkatensis D. Don (Cupressaceae) (labeled as Chamaecyparis ) in 3-mo.-old burn, R. L. Westcott, both OSAC; also reared from the exotic ornamental Cupressus sempervirens L. in Nevada, Clark Co., Las Vegas, 1986, J. B. Knight & S. A. Wayland, NVDA (new larval host). Obviously, this beetle does not occur naturally in the desert. It seems reasonable to assume that C. nixa can utilize most any cupressaceous plant that grows within, or sometimes beyond, its normal range. It can be a pest of a variety of such ornamental trees and shrubs. This species has been recorded from California and Nevada north to British Columbia, Montana and Wyoming. Now we can add IDAHO, Ada Co., Boise, 3000’′ 12-IX-2014, Japanese beetle pheromone trap, urban habitat, CIDA.