| Tarsostenus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tarsostenus univittatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Cleridae |
| Subfamily: | Tarsosteninae |
| Genus: | Tarsostenus Spinola, 1844 |
Tarsostenus is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. It includes the cosmopolitan species T. univittatus. [1] [2]
Tarsostenus are oblong beetles 3.5–8.0 mm long and 1.0–2.0 mm wide. They can be recognised by a distinctly oblong pronotum with glabrous streaks on the disc and without lateral tubercles, the elytral disc with 10 rows of punctations, and the unguis lacking a denticle. [3]
Several species within the genus have a transverse white band halfway along the elytra. [4]
Based on those species whose ecology is known, Tarsostenus are predators on wood-boring beetles.
For example, T. univittatus preys on bostrichids (Lyctus, Sinoxylon , Xylobiops and Trogoxylon [5] ) and anobiines. [6] It has been found in borer-infested lumber and wooden furniture from a range of different trees: ash, hickory, persimmon, white oak, Vahellia tortilis (=Acacia tortilis) Hayne raddiana, pecan, Cercis siliquastrum , Corymbia maculata (=Eucalyptus maculata), Ficus retusa , Schinus terebinthifolius and Triplochiton sclerodendron. [5]
Tarsostenus hilaris has been collected from Eucalyptus "laden with various species of cerambycids". [4]
The holotype of T. kanak was collected by beating unspecified vegetation in a rainforest. [4]
Listed below are the species of Tarsostenus, along with their distributions: [4]
Cleroidea is a small superfamily of beetles containing over 10,000 species. Most of the members of the group are somewhat slender, often with fairly soft, flexible elytra, and typically hairy or scaly.
Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.
Chariessa is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. Chariessa beetles are carnivorous and often associated with trees of the genus Quercus, likely due to a preference for lignicolous insects that live in oaks.
Enoclerus is a genus of checkered beetles in the subfamily Clerinae.
Enopliinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae.
Phymatophaea maorias is a species of beetle in the subfamily Enopliinae. It is found in New Zealand.
Cymatodera is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least 70 described species in Cymatodera.
Cregya is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are over 100 described species in Cregya.
Pennasolis merkeli is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in North America.
Pennasolis is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least three described species in Pennasolis.
Epiphloeinae is a subfamily of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about 5 genera and at least 30 described species in Epiphloeinae.
Madoniella is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about 11 described species in Madoniella.
Lecontella is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least four described species in Lecontella.
Pelonides granulatipennis is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Pelonides is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about seven described species in Pelonides.
Tarsosteninae is a subfamily of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least two genera and two described species in Tarsosteninae.
Pyticeroides laticornis, the broad-horned clerid, is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in North America.
Pyticeroides is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about nine described species in Pyticeroides.
Chariessa dichroa is a species of checkered beetle, belonging to the genus Chariessa. It is found in North America, most commonly on the West Coast. C. dichroa is distinguished from similar members of its genus by its black legs. Like other Chariessa beetles, it is carnivorous.
Pelonides humeralis is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in Central America and North America.
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