Colopterus

Erichson, 1842

Species Guides

Colopterus maculatus(spotted sap beetle)
Colopterus niger
Colopterus posticus
Colopterus semitectus
Colopterus testaceus
Colopterus truncatus
Colopterus unicolor

Colopterus is a of sap-feeding beetles in the Nitidulidae, containing approximately 10 described . Species in this genus are associated with fermenting substrates and plant material. At least one species, C. truncatus, has been documented as a seed of Inga marginata and produces male-specific .

Colopterus maculatus by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Colopterus maculatus by (c) Alexis Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Smith. Used under a CC-BY license.

Colopterus maculatus by (c) Victor Engel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Victor Engel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colopterus: /kəˈlɒptərəs/

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

Identification

Members of Colopterus can be distinguished from related nitidulid by their association with specific substrates and, in the case of C. truncatus, by the production of male-specific containing (2E,4E,6E)-4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-nonatriene as the major component. Cross-attraction to C. truncatus pheromone components occurs in three Carpophilus (C. lugubris, C. antiquus, and C. brachypterus), suggesting careful identification is needed where these genera co-occur.

Images

Habitat

Associated with fermenting substrates; C. truncatus specifically associated with seeds of Inga marginata in riparian forests, secondary vegetation, forest edges, riverbanks, roadsides, Atlantic and Amazon rainforests, and semi-deciduous broadleaf forests of the Paraná basin.

Distribution

North America (Vermont, United States); South America (Brazil, first record of C. truncatus). plant Inga marginata extends throughout South and Central America.

Diet

Sap-feeding ( level); seeds of Inga marginata (C. truncatus specifically).

Host Associations

Inga marginata - seed C. truncatus specifically; seeds are consumed
Bruchophagus sp. - of C. truncatus

Behavior

Males of C. truncatus produce that attract both males and females. Pheromone activity is synergized by fermenting whole-wheat bread dough.

Ecological Role

Seed (C. truncatus on Inga marginata); part of a tritrophic interaction with potential implications for seed and plant . Sap-feeding habits suggest involvement in decomposition processes.

Similar Taxa

Carpophilus lugubrisCross-attraction to C. truncatus components observed; may be attracted to same pheromone lures in field conditions
Carpophilus antiquusCross-attraction to C. truncatus components observed; may be attracted to same pheromone lures in field conditions
Carpophilus brachypterusCross-attraction to C. truncatus components observed; may be attracted to same pheromone lures in field conditions

More Details

Pheromone chemistry

C. truncatus males produce four specific compounds: (2E,4E,6E)-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene, (2E,4E,6E)-4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-nonatriene (major component), (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-decatetraene, and (2E,4E,6E,8E)-4,6,8-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene (not electroantennographically active).

Data limitations

Most detailed ecological and behavioral information available only for C. truncatus. -level generalizations for , diet, and distribution are not well supported beyond this single .