Orthoperus scutellaris
LeConte, 1878
minute hooded beetle
Orthoperus scutellaris is a of minute hooded beetle in the Corylophidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. It is one of the smallest beetles in North America, measuring less than 1 mm in length. The species belongs to a family of beetles commonly known as minute hooded beetles or minute fungus beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Orthoperus scutellaris: /ɔrˈθoʊpərəs ˌskjuːtɛˈlɛrɪs/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Corylophidae primarily by size and subtle morphological features of the pronotum and genitalia; accurate identification requires microscopic examination and comparison with or keys. The Orthoperus contains multiple North American that are difficult to separate without detailed study.
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Appearance
Extremely small , typically measuring less than 1 mm in body length. As a member of Corylophidae, it possesses the -characteristic hooded pronotum that extends over the like a cowl. The body is compact and oval in shape. Specific coloration and detailed morphological features for this are not well documented in available literature.
Habitat
Specific preferences for this are undocumented. Members of Corylophidae generally inhabit decaying organic matter, fungi, and moldy substrates, often in forest litter, rotting wood, and other moist microhabitats rich in fungal growth.
Distribution
Recorded from North America with specific locality data from Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia in Canada. The full extent of its range within North America is not well characterized.
Similar Taxa
- Other Orthoperus speciesCongeneric in Corylophidae are morphologically similar and require microscopic examination for reliable separation; O. scutellaris is distinguished by specific pronotal and genitalic characters described by LeConte (1878)
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. Corylophidae, the minute hooded beetles, is a poorly studied with many species known from very few specimens. The family is sometimes placed in the superfamily Staphylinoidea or Cucujoidea depending on classification system used.