Death-watch Beetle

Ptilinus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Bostrichoidea
Family: Ptinidae
Subfamily: Ptilininae
Genus: Ptilinus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ptilinus: //ˈtaɪ.lɪ.nəs//

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Summary

Ptilinus is a genus of death-watch beetles known for their distinctive tapping sound made while feeding, leading to cultural associations with ominous events. They are small beetles that inhabit dead wood and are capable of digesting tough plant materials.

Physical Characteristics

3-6 mm in length with protibiae produced into a triangular spine; males have pectinate antennae.

Identification Tips

Look for the characteristic bobbing movement as they channel through dead wood and listen for the tapping noise.

Habitat

Typically found in hardwoods and various dead plant matter.

Distribution

Native to the Palearctic, Near East, Nearctic, Neotropical regions, and North Africa.

Diet

Feed on various dead plant matter, including modified tobacco, lumber, and dried herbs. They possess gut bacteria and fungi that help them digest nutrient-poor foods like red hot peppers and nicotine.

Ecosystem Role

Decomposers in forest ecosystems, aiding in the breakdown of dead wood and organic matter.

Cultural Significance

Their tapping sound in wood is often perceived as an omen, historically considered ominous.