Meloe carbonaceus

LeConte, 1866

oil beetle

Meloe carbonaceus is a of blister beetle ( Meloidae) described by LeConte in 1866. The species is known from North America, with records from Alberta, Canada. Like other members of the Meloe, it is commonly referred to as an oil beetle. The species is represented by limited specimen holdings in museum collections.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Meloe carbonaceus: /ˈmɛloʊ ɛ carbonˈæsɪəs/

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

Identification

Specific diagnostic features distinguishing M. carbonaceus from are not documented in available sources. The Meloe is characterized by flightless with greatly reduced that leave most of the exposed, giving the beetles their characteristic 'oil beetle' appearance with a shiny, often metallic or oily-looking . -level identification within Meloe typically requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from Alberta, Canada.

Similar Taxa

Meloe nigerAnother North American Meloe with overlapping distribution; distinguished by specific morphological characters not detailed for M. carbonaceus in available sources
Meloe americanusNorth American with similar 'oil beetle' ; -level separation requires detailed examination

More Details

Specimen holdings

The Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside holds 4 specimens of M. carbonaceus as of 2010, indicating it is a relatively poorly collected compared to like M. franciscanus (57 specimens) or M. niger (162 specimens).

Taxonomic status

The is accepted as valid with no documented synonyms. GBIF records confirm its presence in North America with specific locality data from Alberta, Canada.