Encyclops caerulea Classification Family Cerambycidae > Subfamily Lepturinae > Tribe Encyclopini > Genus Encyclops Diagnostic Features of Larvae Larva. Very slender, tapering, quadrangular; integument smooth, shining, very sparsely covered with long, silky hairs. Head sub-orbicular, widest at middle; mouth-frame slightly corneus; epistoma thin, fused at middle with clypeus; clypeus and labrum thin, latter transversely oval, broadly rounded on front, beset with few long hairs; mandible slender from sides, tapering apex dull, cutting edge short; antennae very small; retractile, last joint and supplementary joint distinct; ocellus large, distinct. Anterior edge of hypostoma thin, not sharply distinct from mouth parts; mentum transverse; last joint of maxillary palpi distinctly larger than either of others, equal to last labial; gula indistinct. Prothorax slightly wider than long, pronotum glabrous, undifferentiated; eusternum acutely triangular, glabrous; mesonotum and metanotum subtuberculate, shining, sternum tuberculate. shining. Legs slender, very fleshy, femur and tibia subequal, tarsus attenuate, soft. Abdomen tetragonal. Ampullae only six, prominently projecting, bilobed by a deep median furrow, each lobe regularly tuberculate; parascutal and coxal lobes large, protuberant; pleural tubercle large, orbicular, bearing two long slender setae. Spiracles orbicular, small, not larger than ocellus, peritreme fleshy. Pupa. Body covered with a group of fleshy papillae bearing slender, fine hairs, as follows: two lateral groups on epicranium, on lateral margins, and on posterior margins of pronotum; a recurved transverse group on abdominal terga becoming denser at posterior margins of eighth and ninth terga. Adapted from Craighead (1923). Biology and Economic Importance The larva of Encyclops has the peculiar habit of mining in the outer dry corky bark of Quercus alba, Liriodendron, Acer, Castanea, Juglans, and Nyssa. It often works in numbers on certain limited areas of bark, causing the scales to flake off after a time and the bark to appear smooth. The pupal cell is merely a shallow excavation, in which the larva overwinters, transforming in early May and June. It is often associated with Microclytus, which has a similar habit. The adult is found throughout the eastern US, commonly on early shrubby flowers. Both of these insects have a common predatory enemy, a small elaterid larva which has not been definitely determined. Adapted from Craighead (1923). Selected References to Larvae Specimens Craighead, 1923