font settings

Font Size: Large | Normal | Small
Font Face: Verdana | Geneva | Georgia

Sphaeritidae

(Family)

Overview

[ Back to top ]

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 four known species, widespread in temperate area but not commonly seen.

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.

[ Back to top ]

Taxonomy

[ Back to top ]

The Family Sphaeritidae is a member of the Superfamily Hydrophiloidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Sphaeritidae:

The Family Sphaeritidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

[ Back to top ]

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 four known species, widespread in temperate area but not commonly seen. [more]

At least 103 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Sphaerites.

More info about the Genus Sphaerites may be found here.

References

[ Back to top ]

Sources

[ Back to top ]
Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:43:17