Statira opacicollis
Horn, 1888
Statira opacicollis is a of darkling beetle in the Tenebrionidae, specifically placed in the Lagriinae (formerly treated as the separate family Lagriidae). The Statira represents one of several groups of beetles recently assimilated into Tenebrionidae that do not resemble 'classic' darkling beetles. Species in this genus exhibit elongated bodies with long-jointed , distinguishing them from more familiar tenebrionid forms.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Statira opacicollis: //stəˈtaɪrə oʊˌpæsɪˈkɒlɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from ground beetles (Carabidae) by bead-like antennal segments and concealed . Separated from 'classic' darkling beetles (Tenebrioninae) by elongated body form and long-jointed . The Statira was formerly placed in the separate Lagriidae before taxonomic revision placed it within Tenebrionidae. Identification to level requires examination of detailed morphological characters, potentially including genitalia dissection.
Distribution
Documented from Argentina (province of Corrientes). The Statira has broader distribution in the Neotropics, with known from Central and South America.
Similar Taxa
- Statira spp.Other members of the share the elongated body and long-jointed characteristic of the Lagriinae
- Ground beetles (Carabidae)Similar elongated body form but distinguished by antennal structure and exposure
- Classic darkling beetles (Tenebrioninae)Same but differ in body shape; Tenebrioninae typically more convex or rounded with shorter
More Details
Taxonomic History
The Statira was formerly classified in the Lagriidae (long-jointed beetles), which has been subsumed into Tenebrionidae as the Lagriinae. This explains the aberrant relative to familiar darkling beetles.
Identification Challenges
-level identification within Statira requires knowledge and potentially dissection of genitalia. Published resources depicting South American species are limited, making definitive identification from photographs difficult.