Platydracus caliginosus
(Erichson, 1839)
Platydracus caliginosus is a large rove beetle in the Staphylinidae. It is distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, with introduced in Hawaii. The belongs to a of predatory beetles commonly found in decaying organic matter.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Platydracus caliginosus: /ˌplætɪˈdrækəs ˌkælɪdʒɪˈnoʊsəs/
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Images
Distribution
Native to southwestern United States (Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Virginia), Mexico, Guatemala, Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Introduced to Hawaiian Islands (Oahu).
Similar Taxa
- Platydracus maculosusBoth are large rove beetles in the same , though P. maculosus occurs in eastern North America and has distinct maculations (spots) on the .
- Tasgius winkleriSimilar large size and general rove beetle form; historically misidentified as Platydracus , but T. winkleri is a European introduction with different distribution and subtle morphological differences.