estola

Estola is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as longhorn beetles. It belongs to the subfamily Lamiinae and comprises a large number of described species. The genus has a Neotropical distribution, with many species reported from Central and South American countries, and additional records from the Caribbean and southern North America.

Members of Estola are typically slender, medium-sized beetles with elongated bodies and long antennae, often extending beyond the body length in males. Coloration and patterning are diverse but commonly include cryptic brown, gray, or mottled schemes that help them blend with bark or wood surfaces. Identification usually relies on detailed morphological characters of the head, thorax, and elytra, and in many cases on genitalia.

Like other cerambycids, the larvae of Estola are wood-borers, developing in dead or decaying wood, and sometimes in living trees depending on the species. Adults are commonly found on or near host trees, bark, or flowers, and may be active at dusk or at night. They are attracted to light and are often collected with light traps.

The genus comprises numerous described species, and taxonomic work continues as new species are identified and classifications revised. Estola is part of ongoing studies of Neotropical Cerambycidae, reflecting diversification in forest habitats across the Americas.