Melasis

Melasis is a genus of soldier beetles native to North America and parts of Europe. It contains fourteen species, four of which can be found in the Nearctic realm.[1]

Melasis
Melasis bupestroides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Eucnemidae
Genus: Melasis
Olivier (1790)
Species

see text

Description

The species in the genus are approximately 4.0-13.0 mm long. They can be identified by their flat tibiae, lack of antennal grooves on the prothorax, and the pectinate antennae of male specimens.[2]

Species
  • M. brinchangi
  • M. pectinicornis Melsheimer
  • M. buprestoides L.
  • M. fermini Sanchez-Ruiz & de la Rosa
  • M. japonica Hisamatsu
  • M. rufipalis Chevrolat
  • M. rufipennis Horn
  • M. shikokensis Hisamatsu
  • M. sinensis Lucht.
  • M. tibialis Lucht.
  • M. tsugae Hopping

Distribution and habitat

The species are found across North America, and more densely in Europe. One species is found only in the southwestern United States, two others only on the Western Coast, and another is more widespread in the region, being found across southern Canada and the Eastern United States.[3] Only M. bupestroides is widespread in Europe, but M. fermini can also be found in Spain.[4]

The species are largely found in forested areas in late April through July. Their larvae usually feed on conifers like firs, and usually develop in hard wood.[2]

References
  1. "Melasis Olivier, 1790". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  2. "Genus Melasis - BugGuide.Net". bugguide.net. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  3. Muona, J. (2000). "A Revision of the Nearctic Eucnemidae". Acta Zoologica Fennica. 212: 106.
  4. "uk beetles | Melasis buprestoides". Coleoptera | Watford | UK Beetles. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
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