| Megathous nigerrimus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Megathous nigerrimus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Elateridae |
| Subfamily: | Dendrometrinae |
| Tribe: | Dendrometrini |
| Genus: | Megathous |
| Species: | M. nigerrimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Megathous nigerrimus (Desbrochers des Loges, 1869) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Megathous nigerrimus is a species of click beetles in the family Elateridae. [1]
This species can be found in France, Italy and Switzerland. It is the most widespread species within the genus Megathous. [2] It is mainly known from the French and Italian Maritime Alps, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Piedmont. [3]
Megathous nigerrimus can reach a body length of about 20 mm (0.79 in). These click beetles are entirely black, moderately shiny, including antennae and legs. They are covered with fine and not very thick pubescence. Antennae are serrated from third article. Frons is arcuate anteriorly with margin simple on level with clypeus at middle. [4]
The larvae develop as predators in decayed trunks and stumps of different tree species. Adults have crepuscular habits. [4]
Elateridae or click beetles are a family of beetles. Other names include elaters, snapping beetles, spring beetles or skipjacks. This family was defined by William Elford Leach (1790–1836) in 1815. They are a cosmopolitan beetle family characterized by the unusual click mechanism they possess. There are a few other families of Elateroidea in which a few members have the same mechanism, but most elaterid subfamilies can click. A spine on the prosternum can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum, producing a violent "click" that can bounce the beetle into the air. Clicking is mainly used to avoid predation, although it is also useful when the beetle is on its back and needs to right itself. There are about 9300 known species worldwide, and 965 valid species in North America.
The Elateroidea are a large superfamily of beetles. It contains the familiar click beetles, fireflies, and soldier beetles and their relatives. It consists of about 25,000 species.
Megapenthes lugens is a species of primarily European click beetle. The adult is black, narrow and 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long. The larvae feed on weevil larvae in the decaying trunks of beech and elm. In July 2010, the common name "queen's executioner beetle" was proposed following a competition.
Cryptocephalus sericeus is a species of beetle of the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae.
Actenicerus siaelandicus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae, subfamily Dendrometrinae.
Agrypnus murinus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae subfamily Agrypninae.
Cidnopus pilosus is a species of click beetle belonging to the subfamily Dendrometrinae of the family Elateridae.
Denticollis linearis is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae subfamily Dendrometrinae.
Platycerus caraboides is a species of stag beetle belonging to the family Lucanidae, subfamily Lucaninae.
Metaplastes pulchripennis, common name Italian ornate bush-cricket, is a species of 'katydids crickets' belonging to the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Phaneropterinae.
Hemicrepidius hirtus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae.
Athous bicolor is a species of click beetle.
Cardiophorus is a genus of click beetles.
Elater ferrugineus, the rusty click beetle, is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae.
Deilelater is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae. They are one of several genera in the tribe Pyrophorini, all of which are bioluminescent. This genus was established by Cleide Costa in 1975, with 7 species split from Pyrophorus.
Vesperelater is a genus of click beetle. They are one of several genera in the tribe Pyrophorini, all of which are bioluminescent. This genus was established by Cleide Costa in 1975, with 4 species split from Pyrophorus.
Ctenicera virens is a species of click beetles.
Megathous is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae. There are about 18 described species in Megathous, found in the Palearctic.
Oxynopterus mucronatus, sometimes known as the giant click beetle, is a species of click beetle from tropical Southeast Asia. Their larvae are specialized predators of termites.
Athous emaciatus is a species of click beetle in the genus Athous.
