Psilopyga
LeConte, 1853
stinkhorn beetles
Species Guides
3- Psilopyga fasciata
- Psilopyga histrina(black stinkhorn beetle)
- Psilopyga nigripennis(stinkhorn beetle)
Psilopyga is a of small beetles in the Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The genus contains at least four described , including two with referencing their association with stinkhorn fungi: the black stinkhorn (P. histrina) and the stinkhorn beetle (P. nigripennis). Species in this genus are known to feed on sap and are associated with fungal fruiting bodies.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Psilopyga: //ˌsaɪloʊˈpaɪɡə//
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Images
Diet
Sap-feeding; have been observed associated with stinkhorn fungi (Phallaceae), suggesting a dietary or reproductive connection to fungal fruiting bodies.
Host Associations
- stinkhorn fungi - associated withP. histrina and P. nigripennis are commonly known as 'stinkhorn beetles,' indicating close association with Phallaceae fruiting bodies
Similar Taxa
- GlischrochilusBoth are Nitidulidae associated with sap and fungal substrates; Glischrochilus are often called 'picnic beetles' and are distinguished by different color patterns and antennal club structure
- CarpophilusAnother sap beetle with similar habits, but Carpophilus typically have more elongate bodies and are more commonly associated with ripening or damaged fruits rather than fungal substrates
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Catalogue of Life entry for 'Spinanomala psilopyga' refers to an unrelated scarab beetle ; this is a homonym and not related to the Nitidulidae Psilopyga LeConte, 1853.
Species diversity
The contains at least four described : P. fasciata, P. histrina LeConte 1853, P. lata (Spornraft 1971), and P. nigripennis LeConte 1863.