Parochodaeus duplex
(LeConte, 1868)
Parochodaeus duplex is a sand-loving scarab beetle in the Ochodaeidae. It is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Males have been observed to store sperm in their , which can be used to impregnate females.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parochodaeus duplex: /ˌpæroʊkoʊˈdiːəs ˈduːplɛks/
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Habitat
Sandy environments, consistent with the 'sand-loving' habit of the Ochodaeidae.
Distribution
Nearctic: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas (USA). Neotropical: Chihuahua, Durango, and Michoacán (Mexico).
Behavior
Males store sperm in their (fecal matter), which can be used to impregnate females. The function and context of this remain unclear.
More Details
Sperm storage in frass
The claim that males store sperm in for impregnating females appears in Wikipedia and iNaturalist but lacks primary source verification. This unusual reproductive mechanism, if confirmed, would be noteworthy for the Ochodaeidae.
Taxonomic history
Originally described by LeConte in 1868. The epithet 'duplex' may refer to paired or doubled structures, though this is speculative without examination of the original description.