Biology:Melasis

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Short description: Genus of beetles

Melasis
Melasis buprestoides up.jpg
Melasis bupestroides
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Eucnemidae
Genus: Melasis
Olivier (1790)
Species

see text

Melasis is a genus of soldier beetles native to North America and parts of Europe. It contains fourteen species, four of which can be found in the Nearctic realm.[1]

Description

The species in the genus are approximately 4.0-13.0 mm long. They can be identified by their flat tibiae, lack of antennal grooves on the prothorax, and the pectinate antennae of male specimens.[2]

Species

  • M. brinchangi
  • M. pectinicornis Melsheimer
  • M. buprestoides L.
  • M. fermini Sanchez-Ruiz & de la Rosa
  • M. japonica Hisamatsu
  • M. rufipalis Chevrolat
  • M. rufipennis Horn
  • M. shikokensis Hisamatsu
  • M. sinensis Lucht.
  • M. tibialis Lucht.
  • M. tsugae Hopping

Distribution and habitat

The species are found across North America, and more densely in Europe. One species is found only in the southwestern United States, two others only on the Western Coast, and another is more widespread in the region, being found across southern Canada and the Eastern United States.[3] Only M. bupestroides is widespread in Europe, but M. fermini can also be found in Spain.[4]

The species are largely found in forested areas in late April through July. Their larvae usually feed on conifers like firs, and usually develop in hard wood.[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q18113655 entry