Alobates pennsylvanica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Alobates
Species:
A. pensylvanicus
Binomial name
Alobates pensylvanicus
(De Geer, 1775)
Alobates pensylvanicus, False Mealworm Beetle

Alobates pensylvanicus is a species of beetle in the genus Alobates whose common name is false mealworm beetle. The species is black, has a pronotum that is nearly square, and has at least five rows of fine punctures on each elytron. False mealworm beetles live beneath bark and logs and are found throughout the United States. They have a life span of one year.[1] A. pensylvanicus is often misidentified with A. barbatus. The difference between the two is on the mentum of the head ventral. A. barbatus have a tuft of long yellow setae, while A. pensylvanicus does not.

Some aquariums use the larvae as fish food.[2] Unlike many other tenebrionidae, the larvae are light white and slightly more moisture dependent.

Pensylvanicus is often erroneously spelled as "pennsylvanica", "pensylvanica", or "pennsylvanicus."

References

  1. ↑ "Species Alobates pensylvanicus - False Mealworm Beetle". Bug Guide. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  2. ↑ Arnett, Jr., Dr. Ross H.; Jacques Jr, Dr. Richard L. (1981). Simon & Schuster's Guide To Insects. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 147.


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