Madagascar Beetle

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leichenum canaliculatum: //leɪˈkɛnəm kəˌnælɪkjʊˈleɪtəm//

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Summary

Leichenum canaliculatum, commonly known as the Madagascar beetle, is a species of darkling beetle that thrives in coastal habitats and is attracted to light. The species exhibits distinct physical characteristics and is distributed across various countries, with feeding habits associated with both vegetation and damage to certain plants.

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 is present. Eyes are globose and slightly emarginated. Antennae are 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 several African, Asian, and Oceania countries including: 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, particularly in many coastal areas.

Diet

Both adult and larva feed on roots of Bermuda grass, cotton, turnips, and rutabagas. Larvae have also been observed to feed on the nap of rugs and are associated with damaged peach trees and Amaryllis bulbs.

Collecting Methods

• Light traps
• Baited pitfall traps
• Unbaited pitfall traps

Tags

• Leichenum canaliculatum
• Madagascar Beetle
• darkling beetle
• insect
• Coleoptera