Biology:Somaticus

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Short description: Afrotropical genus of beetles

Tar darkling beetles
Somaticus aeneus.jpg
S. aeneus, subtribe Trachynotina
Scientific classification
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Somaticus

Hope, 1840[1]

The tar darkling beetles (Somaticus) are an Afrotropical genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). Adults are omnivorous scavengers, and the larvae, known as false wireworms, feed on plant roots.[2] The larvae of several species are known to damage maize crops.[3] The adults are matte black with longitudinal ridges on the pronotum and elytra, and may be covered in hairs of different colours.[2]

Species include:

  • Somaticus aeneus Solier, 1843
  • Somaticus angulatus (Fahraeus)
  • Somaticus cinctus Haag-Rutenberg, 1873
  • Somaticus damarinus (Peringuey, 1904)
  • Somaticus distinctus Peringuey, 1892
  • Somaticus geniculatus
  • Somaticus haagi Peringuey, 1886
  • Somaticus metropolis
  • Somaticus spinosus Solier, 1843
  • Somaticus terricola
  • Somaticus vestitus
  • Somaticus wahlbergi Haag-Rutenberg, 1873

References

  1. Hope, F. W. (1840). "Somaticus Hope". The Coleopterist's Manual. 3. London: J. C. Bridgewater. p. 117. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42664807. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Picker, M. (2004). Field guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik. pp. 232. ISBN 978-1-77007-061-5. 
  3. Drinkwater, T.W. (1991). "Morphology of and key to the larvae of six somaticus spp coleoptera tenebrionidae". Journal of African Zoology 105 (6): 509–536. 

Wikidata ☰ Q15137408 entry