Athous axillaris

Horn, 1871

Athous axillaris is a click beetle in the Elateridae, described by George Henry Horn in 1871. It is to California. measure 9.4–12.9 mm in length and are characterized by dark brown to black contrasting with a muddy orange and pronotum.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Athous axillaris: /ˈæ.θoʊs ækˈsɪ.lɛr.ɪs/

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Identification

The combination of a muddy orange and pronotum with dark brown to black distinguishes this from other Athous in California. The bicolored pattern is diagnostic among western North American click beetles in this .

Distribution

to California, United States. Specific associations within the state are not documented in available sources.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Athous species in western North AmericaMost lack the distinctive orange /pronotum with dark color pattern; typically more uniformly colored.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The specific epithet 'axillaris' is shared with Purpuricenus axillaris, a cerambycid beetle also described by Haldeman (not Horn), but these are unrelated in different . The click beetle Athous axillaris was described by Horn in 1871 and is not known to be attracted to fermenting baits, unlike the cerambycid Purpuricenus axillaris which is frequently collected in such traps.

Sources and further reading