Anaspis sericea
(Mannerheim, 1843)
Anaspis sericea is a of false flower beetle in the Scraptiidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1843. The species is known from North America, with records from Alaska, United States and British Columbia, Canada. False flower beetles in this family are generally small, inconspicuous beetles often associated with flowers and decaying vegetation.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Anaspis sericea: /əˈnæspɪs səˈriːsiə/
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Identification
Members of the Anaspis are small beetles, typically 2–4 mm in length, with elongate bodies and often somewhat parallel-sided . The specific epithet 'sericea' (meaning silky) suggests the may possess a silky or smooth appearance to the . Species-level identification within Anaspis requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters; accurate determination from photographs or casual observation is generally not possible.
Distribution
North America; specifically recorded from Alaska, United States and British Columbia, Canada.
Similar Taxa
- Anaspis rufaSimilar small false flower beetle in the same , distinguished by coloration and genitalia
- Other Scraptiidae genera (e.g., Scraptia, Allopoda)Similar small body size and general habitus, but Anaspis typically have more elongate, parallel-sided
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Good Day, Mourning Cloak | Bug Squad
- The “silky-bellied humpbacked” ant | Beetles In The Bush
- From Garden Peonies to a Career Studying Ant-Plant Interactions
- Cecidomyiidae | Beetles In The Bush
- galls | Beetles In The Bush
- Ophioglossaceae | Beetles In The Bush