tarsalia

Tarsalia is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as longhorn beetles. It is placed in the subfamily Lamiinae. The genus was established in the 19th century and includes several described species. Members of Tarsalia are typically medium-sized, with elongated bodies and long antennae, a character common to many cerambycids. They are wood-borers in their larval stage, with larvae that develop in dead or decaying wood and, in some species, in living trees. Adults are generally found on host vegetation, including branches and trunks, and may be attracted to lights at night.

Geographic distribution of the genus is primarily tropical and subtropical, with records from Africa, Asia, and nearby regions. The adults and larvae play roles in forest ecosystems as decomposers and as part of the food web, though some species can be incidental pests when they attack weakened or stressed trees. Because longhorn beetles are diverse and taxonomically complex, the circumscription of Tarsalia has changed with revisions in classification, and some species have been moved to related genera in recent decades.

Etymology: The name Tarsalia is derived from Latin or Greek roots commonly used in beetle nomenclature, though the precise origin is unclear. See also: Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, longhorn beetles.