| Termitotrox cupido | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Holotype | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | Termitotrox cupido |
| Binomial name | |
| Termitotrox cupido Maruyama, 2012 | |
Termitotrox cupido is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Termitotroginae. It was first described by Munetoshi Maruyama in 2012, having been discovered living inside a nest of the termite Hypotermes makhamensis in Cambodia. It is a tiny, blind and flightless insect.
Termitotrox cupido grows to a length of 1.2 mm (0.047 in) and at the time of its description was the smallest known scarab beetle. It is a blind, flightless beetle with semi-spherical elytra which are sculpted with deep longitudinal grooves. The elytra bear wing-shaped trichomes (outgrowths), a feature that distinguishes this species from other members of the genus. The head, thorax and elytra are reddish-brown with a matt surface and the trichomes are a paler colour. The specific name "cupido" comes from the resemblance of the trichomes to the wings of Cupid, the child god from Greek mythology. [1]
The genus Termitotrox comprises eleven species of scarab beetle, eight from Africa and three from the Indian subcontinent. These beetles have no wings and are blind, and the previously known species all live inside the nests of termites of the genera Odontotermes and Protermes . These termites construct chambers in which they deposit faecal pellets on which a fungus grows. The termites feed on the "fungal comb" produced and the beetles are also found on the comb. [2]
Termitotrox cupido has been found inside colonies of the termite Hypotermes makhamensis in Cambodia, living on the walls of the chambers that house the fungus garden. This is the first time a member of the genus Hypotermes has been found to be associated with a beetle. The host termites live in tropical dry evergreen forests and build above-ground mound-type nests. The termites forage among the leaf litter and in tree stumps and rotting logs and bring partially digested plant material back to the nest to deposit in the fungus garden. [1]
The behaviour of Termitrox beetles living symbiotically inside termite colonies has been little studied. In the case of T. cupido, the trichomes on the elytra are thought to be composed of glandular tissue which may produce chemicals that influence termite behaviour. Adults of another species of beetle that lives in termite nests were observed being carried around by their Macrotermes hosts, in a manner similar to the way the termites carry their young. [3] The function of these beetles in their termite colonies is unclear but it seems that they are likely to be obligatory termitophiles and somehow contribute to the nest environment of their fungus-growing hosts. [2]
Aphodiinae is a subfamily of the scarab beetle family, Scarabaeidae. Members of this subfamily are known commonly as the small dung beetles and many, but not all, are dung beetles. These beetles are found worldwide.
Termitotroginae is a monotypic subfamily of the family Scarabaeidae, the scarab beetles. The only genus in the subfamily is Termititrox. A second genus, Aphodiocopris, Arrow, 1920, has been synonymised with Termitotrox. All known members of this subfamily are tiny, blind and flightless, and dwell within the fungal gardens of colonies of species of termite in Africa or tropical Asia.
Hypotermes makhamensis is a species of termite in the subfamily Macrotermitinae of the family Termitidae. It lives in dry evergreen forests in tropical south-eastern Asia and builds termite mounds in which it cultivates fungus for use as food.
Macrotermes is a genus of termites belonging to the subfamily Macrotermitinae and widely distributed throughout Africa and South-East Asia. Well-studied species include Macrotermes natalensis and M. bellicosus.
Cartwrightia is a genus of scarab found in Latin America. It was named and circumscribed in 1958 by Federico Islas Salas. As of 2017, three species are recognized: C. intertribalis, C. cartwrighti, and C. islasi. They can be found in the nests of leafcutter ants or in dung.
Thyce is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least two described species in Thyce.
Amblonoxia is a genus of dusty June beetles in the family Scarabaeidae. There are about six described species in Amblonoxia.
Gronocarus is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least three described species in Gronocarus.
Phobetus is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are about 11 described species in Phobetus.
Pseudocanthon is a genus of in the beetle family Scarabaeidae. There are about nine described species in Pseudocanthon.
Plectrodes is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There is one described species in Plectrodes, P. pubescens.
Warwickia is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There is one described species in Warwickia, W. pilosa.
Podostena is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least four described species in Podostena.
Plectris is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 360 described species in Plectris.
Isonychus is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 140 described species in Isonychus.
Nipponoserica is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 20 described species in Nipponoserica.
Fossocarus is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There is one described species in Fossocarus, F. creoleorum.
Oncerus is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There is one described species in Oncerus, O. floralis.
Malagoniella is a genus of in the beetle family Scarabaeidae. There are about 10 described species in Malagoniella.
Podolasia is a genus of May beetles and junebugs in the family Scarabaeidae. There are about 11 described species in Podolasia.