Megathous nigerrimus

Last updated

Megathous nigerrimus
Elateridae - Megathous nigerrimus.JPG
Megathous nigerrimus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Superfamily:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
M. nigerrimus
Binomial name
Megathous nigerrimus
Synonyms
  • Athous nigerrimus Desbrochers des Loges, 1870
  • Athous langsdorfi (Stierlin, 1880)

Megathous nigerrimus is a species of click beetles in the family Elateridae. [1]

Contents

Distribution

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]

Description

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]

Biology

The larvae develop as predators in decayed trunks and stumps of different tree species. Adults have crepuscular habits. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Click beetle</span> Family of beetles

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elateroidea</span> Superfamily of beetles

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camillo Rondani</span> Italian entomologist

Camillo Rondani was an Italian entomologist noted for his studies of Diptera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fauna of Italy</span> Native animals of Italy

The fauna of Italy comprises all the animal species inhabiting the territory of the Italian Republic and its surrounding waters. Italy has probably the highest level of faunal biodiversity in Europe, with over 57,000 species recorded, representing more than a third of all European fauna. This is due to various factors. The Italian peninsula is in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, forming a corridor between central Europe and North Africa, and it has 8,000 km (5,000 mi) of coastline. Italy also receives species from the Balkans, Eurasia, and the Middle East. Italy's varied geological structure, including the Alps and the Apennines, Central Italian woodlands, and Southern Italian Garigue and Maquis shrubland, also contribute to high climate and habitat diversity.

<i>Megapenthes lugens</i> Species of beetle

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.

<i>Cryptocephalus sericeus</i> Species of beetle

Cryptocephalus sericeus is a species of beetle of the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae.

<i>Actenicerus siaelandicus</i> Species of beetle

Actenicerus siaelandicus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae, subfamily Dendrometrinae.

<i>Agrypnus murinus</i> Species of beetle

Agrypnus murinus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae subfamily Agrypninae.

<i>Cidnopus pilosus</i> Species of beetle

Cidnopus pilosus is a species of click beetle belonging to the subfamily Dendrometrinae of the family Elateridae.

<i>Denticollis linearis</i> Species of beetle

Denticollis linearis is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae subfamily Dendrometrinae.

<i>Metaplastes pulchripennis</i> Species of cricket-like animal

Metaplastes pulchripennis, common name Italian ornate bush-cricket, is a species of 'katydids crickets' belonging to the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Phaneropterinae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bladderwort flea beetle</span> Species of beetle

Longitarsus nigerrimus is a greenish-black coloured species of beetle in the tribe Alticini that can be found in European countries such Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Benelux, Yugoslavian states, Baltic states, Scandinavia, and in Eastern Europe. It can also be found in North Russia, specifically in Siberia and east to Amur.

<i>Hemicrepidius hirtus</i> Species of beetle

Hemicrepidius hirtus is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae.

<i>Athous bicolor</i> Species of beetle

Athous bicolor is a species of click beetles.

<i>Cardiophorus</i> Genus of beetles

Cardiophorus is a genus of click beetles.

<i>Elater ferrugineus</i> Species of beetle

Elater ferrugineus, the rusty click beetle, is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae.

<i>Ctenicera virens</i> Species of beetle

Ctenicera virens is a species of click beetles.

<i>Megathous</i> Genus of beetles

Megathous is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae.

<i>Oxynopterus mucronatus</i> Species of beetle

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.

<i>Athous emaciatus</i> Species of beetle

Athous emaciatus is a species of click beetle in the genus Athous.

References