Biology:Phellopsis porcata

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Short description: Species of beetle


Phellopsis porcata
Ironclad Beetle (15208970661).jpg
Phellopsis porcata, adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Subfamily:
Genus:
Phellopsis
Species:
P. porcata
Binomial name
Phellopsis porcata
(LeConte, 1853)

Phellopsis porcata is a beetle of the family Zopheridae. Its range includes parts of North America.

Biology

Both adults and larvae feed on fungi, including Piptoporus betulinus (Polyporales) on birch (Betula papyrifera, B. lenta) and Heterobasidion annosum (Bondarzewiaceae) on balsam fir (Abies balsamea).They have also been reported to feed on fungi on western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and on Lentinus (Polyporaceae).[1][2] Adults feed on the surface, while larvae burrow into the substrate

When threatened, adult beetles will use thanatosis (feigning death) to avoid predators. This behavior is known from several other species in the Zopherinae.[2]

Range

It is found in the western United States and Canada.[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q1380469 entry