Pleurotobia trimaculata
(Erichson, 1839)
Pleurotobia trimaculata is a of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the Aleocharinae, tribe Homalotini. It is a small, elongate with reduced characteristic of the . The species is known from scattered records in the eastern United States. Specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pleurotobia trimaculata: /ˌplʊroʊˈtoʊbiə traɪˌmækjʊˈleɪtə/
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Identification
Members of Pleurotobia can be distinguished from related in the tribe Homalotini by the structure of the mesosternum and the form of the . The specific epithet trimaculata suggests three maculae (spots), though this character should be verified against type material. Definitive identification requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with related in the genus.
Distribution
Recorded from the eastern United States: Washington D.C., Indiana, and New York.
Similar Taxa
- Other Pleurotobia speciesCongeneric share the general body plan and require dissection of male genitalia for reliable separation.
- Other Homalotini generaTribe members share small size and compact body form; mesosternal structure and tarsal formula are diagnostic at generic level.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Pleurotobia is part of the subtribe Bolitocharina within the large tribe Homalotini. The tribal placement has been subject to revision, and some sources may list this under alternate tribal arrangements.
Data scarcity
With only three observations in iNaturalist and limited collection records, this appears genuinely rare or undercollected. No published ecological studies were found.