Tragocerus

{{Short description|Genus of beetles}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Longicorn, Tragocerus spencei (11149874126).jpg

| image_caption = Tragocerus spencei observed in New South Wales

| taxon = Tragocerus

| parent = Cerambycidae

| authority = Latreille, 1829{{cite book |last1=Latreille |first1=P.A. |title=Suite et fin des insectes. In: Cuvier, [G.L.C. F.D.], Le règne animal ... Tome V. |date=1829 |publisher=Déterville et Crochard |location=Paris |pages=xxiv + 556 pp}}

}}

Tragocerus is a genus of longhorn beetle from western regions of Australia.{{cite web |title=Tragocerus spencii |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/627997-Tragocerus-spencii |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=iNaturalist |language=en-GB}}

Description

Members of the genus Tragocerus are diagnosed by having filiform antennae, slightly shorter than the body. The elytra are long and form a rectangle. They are fused along the mid-dorsal line, though each elytron has indentations just above the wing's point of origin, allowing it to move without meaningful disruption.Nicholson, A. J. 1927. [https://ia601009.us.archive.org/3/items/biostor-245808/biostor-245808.pdf Presidential Address: A New Theory of Mimicry in Insects]. The Australian Zoologist. 5: 10–104 Tragocerus species appear to mimic wasps; while convincing in flight, their sluggish movements upon landing betray their identity.

Taxonomy

Eight species of Tragocerus have been described:

References