Tetraopes tetrophthalmus Classification Family Cerambycidae > Subfamily Lamiinae > Tribe Tetraopini > Genus Tetraopes Diagnostic Features of Larvae Larva. Form robust, fleshy, cylindrical or slightly tapering posteriorly; integument very line y wrinkled shining, densely clothed with long, whitish lemon-colored hairs. Head rather thick but depressed, sides narrowing posteriorly, suddenly constricted about middle, widest across posterior limit of front; epistoma thick, rugulose; clypeus and labrum thick, latter transverse, roundly semicircular from base, densely haired; mandible from side about twice the basal width, outer face rather rugulose, cutting-edge obliquely truncate, dorsal angle distinctly toothed; antennal cavity bisected by frontal suture; ocelli not distinct. Ventral mouth-parts fleshy; thick; mentum distinct, transverse; maxillary palpi two-jointed, last joint slender, shorter than the basal, equal to the last labial; hypostoma transversely bulging, finely wrinkled; gula less corneous. Prothorax very thick, about twice as wide as long; protergum densely hairy on sides and across anterior border; pronotum posteriorly finely velvety pubescent; prosternum densely hairy, lateral areas swollen; eusternum distinct, swollen; sternellum very narrow, transverse. Mesonotum and metanotum densely hairy, mesonotum with an anterior transverse band of hairs, posteriorly glabrous. Abdomen very densely hairy; ampullae narrow, projecting in large, dull tuberculiform lobes; epipleurum slightly protuberant on all segments, tubercles elongate oval, bearing very many hairs and no chitinous pits; spiracles large, orbicular. The larva feeds in the base of stems and roots of Asclepias. It more usually does not enter the root but burrows in the earth and eats from without the root often only eating the bark, much like some scarabs. Galleries were found extending from root to root through the earth, then continued up to near the surface of the ground, where pupation occurs. Infested plants can be recognized by withering tops in late summer. The adult occurs throughout the eastern United States and Canada, in June and July. The tendency to develop a strong, dense body covering of hairs is true of all forms having somewhat similar habits, while the opposite extreme is represented in those forms which mine in living tissue and develop the strong chitinous asperities. Adapted from Craighead (1923). Biology and Economic Importance Species in the genus Tetraopes are associated with milk weed (Asclepias spp.). Selected References to Larvae Specimens Craighead, 1923