Sphaerites

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Sphaerites
Sphaerites.glabratus.Reitter.jpg
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Staphyliniformia
Superfamily: Histeroidea
Family: Sphaeritidae
Shuckard, 1839
Genus: Sphaerites
Duftschmid, 1805

Sphaerites is a genus of beetles, the only genus in the family Sphaeritidae, sometimes called the false clown beetles. It is closely related to the clown beetles but with distinct characteristics. There are five known species, widespread in temperate area but not commonly seen.

Adults range in length from 4.5–7 mm, with oval bodies, black but with a slight bluish-green sheen.

The life histories are poorly known, but they are generally found around decaying matter and fungi. S. glabratus is associated with conifer forests in northern Europe, and seems especially attracted to sap flows from trees, feeding and then mating.

Species[]

These four species belong to the genus Sphaerites:

  • Jurecek, 1934 i c g
  • (Fabricius, 1792) i c g
  • Löbl, 1996 i c g
  • Löbl & Háva, 2002
  • Sphaerites politus Mannerheim, 1846 i c g b

Data sources: i = ITIS,[1] c = Catalogue of Life,[2] g = GBIF,[3] b = Bugguide.net[4]

References[]

  1. ^ "Sphaerites Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  2. ^ "Browse Sphaerites". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  3. ^ "Sphaerites". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  4. ^ "Sphaerites Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-05-02.

External links[]


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