Melanophila

Last updated

Melanophila
Melanophila consputa P1030379a.jpg
Melanophila consputa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Elateriformia
Family: Buprestidae
Tribe: Melanophilini
Genus: Melanophila
Eschscholtz, 1829

Melanophila is a genus of buprestid beetles commonly known as fire beetles. They have extraordinary sensitivity to infrared radiation (heat), using a specialized sensor organ near their legs. [1] They seek out fires in order to mate and lay eggs in freshly burned wood. [2]

Species

The genus Melanophila consists of the following species: [3]

References

  1. Schmitz, H; Bousack, H (2012). "Modelling a Historic Oil-Tank Fire Allows an Estimation of the Sensitivity of the Infrared Receptors in Pyrophilous Melanophila Beetles". PLOS One . 7 (5): e37627. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...737627S. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037627 . PMC   3357417 . PMID   22629433.
  2. Jones, Benji (2023-07-28). "This beetle's sex is on fire. Literally". Vox. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  3. Bellamy, C. L. (2013). "Genus Melanophila". A Checklist of World Buprestoidea. Retrieved 7 Sep 2021.