Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Bark Gnawing Beetle
Tenebroides sp.
16.7572, -92.6312
Field Notes
Description:
This beetle is actually very interesting for a little black thing. It is somewhat flattened, has protruding mandibles with 2 teeth and clubbed antennae in which the 3 club segments are asymmetrical. It is 8 mm long and of the Family Trogossitidae. They are called the Bark Gnawing Beetles, but are actually mini-predators on and under bark. This one had a whole family of mites living on the underside (last 2 pictures). The larger darker ones seem to be the adults and there are dozens of nymphs of all sizes. The smallest ones are in a group under the proleg. Because all sizes are present, I would guess these live permanently on the beetle.
Habitat:
It was drowning in my dog's water dish, I had never seen one of these before. Even after being in the water for a couple of hours, it survived, as well as all the mites.
Notes:
There are several species of Tenebroides which might occur in Chiapas. Species listed for Mexico, as well as species for Guatemala and the rest of Central America.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/15347
http://bugguide.net/node/view/84868
http://bugguide.net/node/view/129046
http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=3109
http://www.inbio.ac.cr/papers/coleoptera/TROGOS.html
https://books.google.com.mx/books?id=IuGLAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=Tro…
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment