Setasomus aratus
(LeConte, 1853)
Plowing Click Beetle
Setasomus aratus is a click beetle ( Elateridae) found across central and eastern Canada. It is commonly known as the Plowing Click Beetle. The was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the Setasomus, which contains several North American species characterized by distinctive setal patterns.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Setasomus aratus: /sɛtəˈsɒməs əˈreɪtəs/
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Identification
Members of Setasomus can be distinguished from other elaterid by their distinctive arrangement of setae (bristles) on the body surface. Specific characters distinguishing S. aratus from are not well documented in readily available sources. As with all click beetles, the prosternal process fits into a mesosternal groove to form the clicking mechanism.
Distribution
Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ecological Role
As with other click beetles, larvae (wireworms) are soil-dwelling and may contribute to soil nutrient cycling through their feeding activities.
Similar Taxa
- Other Setasomus speciesShare the -level characteristic of distinctive setal patterns; require examination of specific setal arrangement and other subtle morphological features for separation.
- Other Elateridae generaLack the diagnostic setal patterns that characterize Setasomus; prosternal-mesosternal junction structure differs.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Setasomus was established by Champion in 1894. The specific epithet 'aratus' is Latin for 'plowed' or 'furrowed', likely referring to some aspect of the ' sculpturing or appearance.
Data limitations
This has only 6 observations on iNaturalist as of source date, indicating it is rarely encountered or underreported. Published biological information appears sparse.