Atheta

Thomson, C. G., 1858

Vexing Rove Beetles

Species Guides

16

Atheta is a large of rove beetles in the Staphylinidae, containing more than 640 described . The genus was established by Thomson in 1858 and belongs to the Aleocharinae. Species in this genus are small beetles with the characteristic abbreviated of rove beetles, leaving most of the exposed. Some species have been found in association with colonies, indicating specialized ecological relationships.

Atheta ventricosa by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.Atheta giguereae by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.Atheta alesi by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atheta: //əˈθiːtə//

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

Identification

Members of Atheta can be distinguished from other rove beetle by their placement within the tribe Athetini, though -level identification requires examination of microscopic characters including genitalia and chaetotaxy. The genus is characterized by small body size and the typical staphylinid form with short . Definitive identification to species is challenging due to the large number of described species and morphological similarity among many .

Images

Distribution

Records exist from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Sri Lanka. The has a broad distribution with new continuing to be described, including from New Brunswick, Canada.

Host Associations

  • Termitidae - termitariophileAtheta dominguezae has been observed living in nests of Hospitalitermes monocerus in Sri Lanka over a period of 13 years

Behavior

At least one , Atheta dominguezae, has been documented as a termitariophile—living within nests. Behavioral observations indicate prolonged residence in the same nest over multiple years.

Similar Taxa

  • AcrotonaBoth are aleocharine rove beetle ; Acrotona brachyoptera was described alongside Atheta alphacrenuliventris from New Brunswick, suggesting sympatric occurrence and potential morphological similarity requiring careful distinction

More Details

Taxonomic scale

With over 640 described , Atheta represents one of the more species-rich within Staphylinidae. The genus continues to yield new species descriptions, including 32 new species from New Brunswick, Canada, reported in a 2016 ZooKeys publication.

Sources and further reading