Melanophthalma casta
Melanophthalma casta is a of minute brown scavenger beetle in the Latridiidae. The Melanophthalma comprises small beetles typically associated with moldy or decaying plant material. Very few documented observations of this species exist, with only one record currently available on iNaturalist. The family Latridiidae as a whole is characterized by tiny body size and association with fungal growth on damp organic substrates.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melanophthalma casta: /ˌmɛlənoʊfˈθælmə ˈkæstə/
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More Details
Taxonomic Context
The Melanophthalma belongs to the Latridiidae, a group of minute beetles commonly known as plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles. Members of this family are typically less than 3 mm in length and are frequently found in association with molds and mildews.
Data Limitations
This has minimal published documentation. The single iNaturalist observation represents the only readily accessible occurrence record, suggesting either genuine rarity, undercollection due to small size, or lack of taxonomic attention rather than actual scarcity.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- iNaturalist taxon
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