Atholus bimaculatus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Spotted Clown Beetle

Atholus bimaculatus, commonly known as the spotted clown , is a of beetle with a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents. The species is to the Palearctic region (Europe, Northern Asia, North Africa) and has been to North America, South America, and parts of Asia. It belongs to the Histeridae, a group commonly called clown beetles or , which are typically associated with decomposing matter. The specific epithet 'bimaculatus' refers to two spots, likely describing a characteristic marking pattern on the .

Atholus bimaculatus by (c) Олег Кудров, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Олег Кудров. Used under a CC-BY license.

Clown or Hister Beetle. Histerinae . Atholus bimaculatus - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atholus bimaculatus: //ˈæθ.oʊ.ləs ˌbaɪ.mæk.jʊˈleɪ.təs//

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

Identification

The can be distinguished from other Atholus species by the two spots (maculae) referenced in its specific epithet, though detailed diagnostic features require examination. As a member of , it possesses the 's characteristic compact, oval body form with clubbed and shortened that may expose one or more abdominal tergites. Accurate identification to species level typically requires examination of genitalic structures and comparison with .

Images

Distribution

to the Palearctic region including Europe, Russia, North Africa (Canary Islands, Arabian Peninsula, Israel, Iran), and parts of East Asia (Japan, Korea, China). Also recorded from India, Myanmar, Yemen, Djibouti, Chad, Tanzania, Senegal, Kenya, and Cameroon. to North America (Canada: British Columbia to Quebec and New Brunswick; widespread in USA), Mexico, Guadeloupe, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The shows one of the widest distributions among , with both native and introduced well established across temperate and tropical regions.

Similar Taxa

Atholus confinisAnother widespread Atholus with overlapping distribution in the Palearctic; distinguished by differences in elytral punctation and male
Atholus praetermissus in parts of Europe; requires careful examination of pronotal and elytral for separation

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described by in 1758, placing it among the earliest described . The Atholus was established to accommodate species formerly placed in Hister or related genera based on characters of the , , and male .

Introduction pathways

The ' presence in North and South America represents human-mediated introduction, likely through trade and transport of goods. Its establishment in the New World demonstrates the species' ecological flexibility and adaptability to novel environments.