Platydracus fossator
(Gravenhorst, 1802)
Red-spotted Rove Beetle
Platydracus fossator is a large in the , commonly known as the Red-spotted Rove Beetle. It is one of the larger in the Platydracus, which includes many of North America's most conspicuous rove beetles. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records extending from Canada through much of the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory associated with decaying matter and decomposing substrates.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Platydracus fossator: /ˌplæ.tɪˈdræ.kʊs fɒˈseɪ.tɔr/
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Images
Distribution
Canada (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming).
Similar Taxa
- Platydracus maculosusSimilar large size and general body form within the same ; both are attracted to decomposing matter and may co-occur at carrion or fungal substrates. P. maculosus is distinguished by different color pattern and is specifically mentioned in forensic contexts.
- Tasgius winkleriFormerly misidentified as Platydracus by non- due to similar large ; distinguished by subtle characters including setal patterns and is a European introduction with habits.