A Cladistic Analysis of the Phoracanthine Genus Phoracantha Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae), with Discussion of Biogeographic Distribution and Pest Status

Abstract

The phylogeny of the 40 species of the genus Phoracantha is cladistically analyzed. Phoracantha faunal composition, biogeographic distribution patterns of species groups, and pest status of economically important species are described and discussed. Phoracantha is a monophyletic genus containing all species of the former Tryphocaria. Two large species groups are recognized and discussed: the rugithoracica -species group including 8 species, and the acanthocera -species group with 32 species. Subdivisions of 8 species groups under the acanthocera -species group are identified and discussed. Phoracantha is distributed mostly in southern Australia and some species are in northern Australia and New Guinea. The species with a wide natural distribution are more likely to become pests in Australia and overseas. The species from the semipunctata -species group can easily survive lengthy shipment, establish in continents outside Australia, and become serious pests. The species P. solida and synonyma from the rugithoracica -species group and P. acanthocera from the acanthocera -species group are more widely adapted than most other Phoracanth a species and have become pests of Australian Eucalyptus forests. However, the above 3 species may not be able to survive lengthy shipment in logs.