Megalodacne

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Erotylidae
Subfamily: Erotylinae
Tribe: Encaustini
Genus: Megalodacne

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Megalodacne: //ˌmɛɡəloʊˈdækni//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Pleasing Fungus Beetle (Megalodacne heros) in South Knoxville, Tennessee by Jason Sturner. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Megalodacne heros - cropped by File:Megalodacne heros.jpg: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org
derivative work: Obsidian Soul (talk). Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pleasing Fungus Beetle (Megalodacne heros) by Jason Sturner. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Megalodacne heros (pleasing fungus beetle) (Wisconsin, USA) 1 by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pleasing Fungus Beetle (Megalodacne heros) in South Knoxville, Tennessee - Flickr - Jay Sturner by Jay Sturner from USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Megalodacne heros (pleasing fungus beetle) (Wisconsin, USA) 2 by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Megalodacne is a genus of large, colorful beetles known for their fungivorous diet and presence in wooded areas abundant with bracket fungi.

Physical Characteristics

Adults range in size from 9 to 22 millimeters (0.35 to 0.87 in), characterized by bright colors and patterns. Larvae are highly sclerotized and found in bracket fungi. Adults have large eyes and a characteristic structure of tarsomeres.

Identification Tips

Megalodacne fasciata can be confused with Megalodacne heros; the latter is larger and lacks the rows of fine punctures on the elytra that are characteristic of M. fasciata. Close inspection of scutellar macula and pronotal sides can aid in identification.

Habitat

Typically found in environments with bracket fungi, including woodlands and forests.

Distribution

Primarily Nearctic and parts of Asia, with species found in eastern North America, Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Tanzania, and parts of Africa.

Diet

Fungivorous, feeding on bracket fungi such as Ganoderma and Fomes species.

Life Cycle

Eggs are deposited on the fungi. Larvae feed by burrowing into the fungi or gnawing out shallow depressions. The larval stage lasts about 2 to 3 months before pupation.

Reproduction

Females deposit eggs on the fungi that serve as food for the larvae.

Ecosystem Role

Plays a role in decomposition by feeding on fungi.

Collecting Methods

Hand collecting from known habitats, especially under bark or near fungi.

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation
Drying specimens for taxonomic study.

Evolution

Megalodacne was first described by George Robert Crotch in 1873 and is closely related to the genera Episcapha and Episcaphula.

Similar Taxa

Episcapha
Episcaphula
Glischrochilus

Misconceptions

Often confused with smaller sap beetles due to similar coloration patterns.