Platysoma

Leach, 1817

clown beetles

Species Guides

Platysoma aequum(clown beetle)
Platysoma attenuatum(clown beetle)
Platysoma aurelianum(clown beetle)
Platysoma coarctatum(clown beetle)
Platysoma cylindricum(clown beetle)
Platysoma deficiens(clown beetle)
Platysoma gracile(clown beetle)
Platysoma leconti(clown beetle)
Platysoma parallelum(clown beetle)

Platysoma is a of clown beetles ( Histeridae) comprising over 80 described . Members are small, compact beetles that inhabit subcortical environments beneath tree bark. They are predatory throughout their , specializing in bark beetle prey. The genus is notable among Histeridae for exhibiting facultative in .

Platysoma leconti by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Platysoma coarctatum by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Platysoma by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Platysoma: /ˌplætɪˈsoʊmə/

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Images

Habitat

Subcortical environments beneath tree bark in forest and woodland . Associated with bark beetle galleries in coniferous and hardwood trees.

Distribution

Widely distributed; documented from North America (Colorado), India (Kashmir), and other regions. Specific distribution varies by .

Diet

Predatory on bark beetles (Scolytinae). of Platysoma cylindrica preferentially consume adult Ips pini (pine engraver beetles) and facultatively prey on . Larvae feed on bark beetle larvae.

Host Associations

Ips pini - -preyPine engraver (); primary prey of Platysoma cylindrica
Scolytinae - -preyBark beetles; general prey association for

Life Cycle

Endophytic (subcortical) . Both and larvae occur within bark beetle galleries under tree bark. Developmental stages are spent entirely within the subcortical environment.

Behavior

actively hunt within bark beetle galleries. Exploits gallery architecture constructed by herbivorous prey to facilitate prey capture. Adults exhibit rapid prey immobilization. Unusual among Histeridae for facultative by adults.

Ecological Role

of bark beetles, including Ips pini. Among the most abundant predators of pine engraver beetles. Contributes to natural regulation of bark beetle in forest .

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The name Platysoma has also been applied to a marine copepod (Paramisophria platysoma), but this is unrelated to the genus.

Research Context

Most detailed behavioral studies focus on Platysoma cylindrica; broader -level generalizations should be treated cautiously pending additional -specific research.