Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00142
Specularius impressithorax
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About Specularius impressithorax
Specularius impressithorax is a member of Chrysomelidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Specularius impressithorax is an introduced African seed beetle established on Kauaʻi and other main Hawaiian Islands. In Hawaiʻi it attacks seeds of wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) and other coral trees; females place eggs on mature seeds and the larvae develop inside them before adults emerge. Because heavy seed predation can sharply reduce viable wiliwili seed production, this beetle is ecologically important even where adult beetles are inconspicuous.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2001; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Kh, Ma, Oa.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Eggs are laid on mature seeds; larvae pass through multiple instars inside a seed, pupate within or at the seed, and adults emerge through a round exit hole. Development is faster at warmer temperatures; the species can produce multiple generations where hosts and conditions permit.
Habitat
Where Erythrina hosts occur, including dry and mesic landscapes, cultivated coral trees, and areas containing native wiliwili. Larval habitat is the interior of mature dry seeds.
Food and ecological role
Larvae consume Erythrina seed tissue. Adults are short-lived seed-associated beetles; the principal ecological impact is larval seed predation.
Reproduction
Sexual reproduction; females oviposit on host seeds. Oviposition is strongly associated with Erythrina, although experimental work shows some egg-laying on non-host seeds with little or no successful development.
Movement
Adults can fly and the species has spread among islands and through human movement of infested seeds or plant material.
Ecosystem role
Introduced seed predator that reduces reproductive output of native wiliwili and other Erythrina.
Threats and impacts
Threat to wiliwili regeneration and seed availability; effects are strongest where a large fraction of the seed crop is infested.
Monitoring
Track seed infestation and adult emergence on wiliwili populations; avoid moving infested Erythrina seed material; retain parasitoid/biocontrol context when available.
Kauaʻi evidence
Widespread non-native mosquito and the principal Hawaiʻi vector of avian malaria.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Specularius impressithorax
- Family
- Chrysomelidae
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
- Evidence date
- 2026-09-26
- Evidence limits
- Live extent/status and canonical linkage must be refreshed against current Atlas/agency data before final public release.
Habitat and ecology
- Habitats
- Native forest birds and wet/urban aquatic breeding habitats
- Food and resource needs
- Taxon-specific requirements under review
- Reproduction
- Not yet assessed
- Shelter
- Native forest birds and wet/urban aquatic breeding habitats
Threats and conservation
- Threats
- Native forest birds and wet/urban aquatic breeding habitats
- Conservation actions
- disease-vector suppression in priority native-bird landscapes; reduce breeding habitat where appropriate
- Monitoring
- disease-vector suppression in priority native-bird landscapes; reduce breeding habitat where appropriate
- Data gaps
- Live extent/status and canonical linkage must be refreshed against current Atlas/agency data before final public release. · Establishment requirements need review
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal timing
- Not yet assessed
- Seasonal description
- Specularius impressithorax is a member of Chrysomelidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.