Texas Beetle Information

Return to Texas Entomology - Compiled by Mike Quinn

Gigas Longhorn Beetle

Stenelytrana gigas (LeConte, 1873)

Family Cerambycidae, Subfamily Lepturinae, Tribe Lepturini

Range: From extreme west TX mountains to north central TX, to the Rio Grande Valley; south to Chihuahua, Mexico.

Adult Activity: April to August in south Texas, May to July in north-central Texas.

Larval Hosts: Hardwoods like willow, oak or hackberry.

Biology: Common at sugar traps. Adults are strong and agile fliers.

In north-central Texas, Lingafelter and Horner (1993) reported approximately 30 specimens congregated at a tree (species undetermined) which was producing much sap and had attracted many other insects.

Similar Species: There are four species of Stenelytrana, three reach the United States.

Stenelytrana emarginata (Fabricius) 1787 - eastern USA 
Stenelytrana gigas (LeConte) 1873 - TX; Chihuahua, Mexico 
Stenelytrana splendens (Knull) 1935 - AZ

All specimens examined by Lingafelter and Horner (1993) in north-central Texas were assigned to gigas, however many specimens shared characteristics specific to emarginata. 

Synonym: Leptura (Stenura) gigas

Etymology: Stenelytrana gigas 

sten, -o (G). Narrow
elytr, -o, =um (G). A sheath, cover
giga (G). Giant, very large

References:

Arnett, R.H., Jr., M.C. Thomas, P.E. Skelley & J.H. Frank. (editors). 2002. American Beetles, Volume II: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea. CRC Press. 861 pp.

Borror, D.J. 1960. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. National Press Books, Palo Alto. v + 134 pp.

Hovore, F.T. 1983. Taxonomic and biological observations on southwestern Cerambycidae. Coleopterists Bulletin, 37(4): 379 - 387.

Hovore, F.T., R.L. Penrose & R.W. Neck. 1987. The Cerambycidae, or longhorned beetles, of southern Texas: a faunal survey (Coleoptera). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 44(13): 283-334, 20 figs.

Lingafelter, S.W. & N.V. Horner. 1993. The Cerambycidae of north-central Texas. The Coleopterists Bulletin, 47(2): 159-191.

Linsley E.G. & J.A. Chemsak. 1976. Cerambycidae of North America. Part VI. No. 2: Taxonomy and classification of the subfamily Lepturinae. University of California Publications in Entomology 80: 1-186.

Monné, M.A. & F.T. Hovore. 2005. Checklist of the Cerambycidae, or longhorned woodboring beetles, of the Western Hemisphere. 392 pp.

01 Dec 2008  © Mike Quinn / Texas Entomology / Texas Beetle Information