Leichenum

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leichenum: //laɪˈkiːnəm//

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Summary

Leichenum canaliculatum, commonly known as the Madagascar beetle, is a species of darkling beetle characterized by its oval shape and mottled coloration. It inhabits sandy coastal areas and has a diet that includes the roots of various plants, as well as some household items.

Physical Characteristics

Adult is oval with an average length of 5 mm. The body is grayish with black, gray, brown mottling. A whitish spatula-shaped, scaly setae present. Eyes are globose and slightly emarginated. Antennae short with a clearly defined 4-segmented club on the apical half. The length of the mature larva is 12 mm. In the pupa, the urogomphi are fused into a long spine-like process and the tip ends in two small round lobes. Pupa is about 6 mm in length.

Habitat

Commonly found in sandy areas, along beaches, lakes and river shorelines.

Distribution

Found in Australia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Cuba, France, Gambia, Guadeloupe, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam. Introduced to the USA and can be found in many coastal areas.

Diet

Both adult and larva feed on roots of Bermuda grass, cotton, turnips, and rutabagas. Larva is also observed to feed on nap of rugs, and associated with damaged peach trees and Amaryllis bulbs.

Life Cycle

Adults are attracted to light traps and can be found in aggregations from March to November. They hide under small piles of leaf litter in sand depressions.

Collecting Methods

• light traps
• baited pitfall traps
• unbaited pitfall traps

Tags

• Leichenum
• Madagascar beetle
• darkling beetle
• beetles
• Coleoptera