Sphaerites

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.

Sphaerites
Sphaerites glabratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Hydrophiloidea
Family: Sphaeritidae
Genus: Sphaerites
Duftschmid, 1805

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:

  • Sphaerites dimidiatus Jurecek, 1934 i c g
  • Sphaerites glabratus (Fabricius, 1792) i c g
  • Sphaerites nitidus Löbl, 1996 i c g
  • Sphaerites opacus 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]

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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.



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