About Prosopocera lactator (Fabricius, 1801)
Prosopocera lactator is a species of longhorn beetle that reaches an adult body length of approximately 23 to 37 millimeters (0.91 to 1.46 inches). The coloration and markings of this species are quite variable across individuals. Most individuals are primarily brown, with large light greenish or whitish patches on their elytra and pronotum, and turquoise markings on their legs. The distinct color of these greenish-white patches comes from the orientation of three-dimensional photonic-crystal grains contained within the beetle's scales. Adult Prosopocera lactator feed exclusively on cashew, Anacardium occidentale. Females of this species lay their eggs in the stems and branches of buffalo thorn, Ziziphus mucronata. This species has been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
