| Sphaerites | |
|---|---|
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| Sphaerites glabratus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Staphyliniformia |
| Superfamily: | Histeroidea |
| Family: | Sphaeritidae Shuckard, 1839 |
| Genus: | Sphaerites Duftschmid, 1805 |
| Species | |
See text | |
Sphaerites is a genus ofbeetles, the only genus in the familySphaeritidae, sometimes called thefalse clown beetles. There are five known species, which are widespread in temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, found in forested or upland areas.[1]
Adults range in length from 4.5–7 mm, with oval bodies, black but with a slight bluish-green sheen.[1]
The life histories are poorly known, but they are generally found around decaying matter and fungi.S. glabratus is associated withconifer forests in northern Europe, and seems especially attracted to sap flows from trees, feeding on the sap and then mating, with the eggs laid in sap-soaked nearby soil. The larvae have a short generation span, developing into adults within a month.[1]
It is a member ofHisteroidea, making it closely related to the trueclown beetles.[1]
These four species belong to the genusSphaerites:
Data sources: i = ITIS,[2] c = Catalogue of Life,[3] g = GBIF,[4] b = Bugguide.net[5]
Media related toSphaerites at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toSphaerites at Wikispecies