Moneilema semipunctatum
In 3 days ~10%
Moneilema semipunctatum is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It is known commonly as the cactus borer beetle. Beetles of genus Moneilema are known commonly as cactus longhorn beetles. It is native to North America, where it occurs in the western United States and Mexico.
This species is variable in morphology. It is wingless and black in color, and is usually convex and elongated in shape, shiny to dull, hairless, and textured with puncture-like marks. The female is 1.5 to 3 centimeters long and the male 1.5 to 2.6 centimeters.
This beetle lives in desert habitat, where it feeds on cactus plants, especially species of prickly pear (Opuntia) and cholla (Cylindropuntia). The beetle is a threat to several rare species of cactus, including the Mojave fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus polyancistrus), Wright's fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae), Mesa Verde cactus (Sclerocactus mesae-verdae), Winkler's pincushion cactus (Pediocactus winkleri), and San Rafael cactus (Pediocactus despainii).
The adult beetle is nocturnal or crepuscular. It emerges and climbs cactus plants at dusk to feed during the night. It mates during the night and the female deposits eggs near the base of the cactus. The larva feeds on the plant, burrowing into it and causing damage. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Moneilema semipunctatum sighting in San Diego on a given day, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 489th most-seen of the 693 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Moneilema semipunctatum in San Diego on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Only San Diego, in our data
San Diego is the only city on Wallace's Line with enough records to rate Moneilema semipunctatum sightings: under 5% of wildlife watchers there report one on a given day.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Moneilema semipunctatum is recorded against all the insects logged in San Diego (10 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
