Metoponium
Casey, 1907
Species Guides
1Metoponium is a of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1907. The genus is to North America and comprises two subgenera: Metoponiopsis and Metoponium. At least one , Metoponium bicolor, has been documented damaging agricultural crops.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Metoponium: /mɛtoʊˈpoʊniəm/
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Identification
Distinguished from related by: (1) protibia with dorsally expanded ends, a trait shared with several other darkling beetle genera; (2) epistomal lobe (front edge of the ) slightly concave; and (3) presence of distinct carinae (ridges) over the . Casey (1907) provided original keys to the genus and its constituent .
Distribution
Nearctic region. Documented from USA (Arizona, California) and Mexico (Baja California) based on -level records.
Host Associations
- tomato - crop pestdocumented damage to crops
- watermelon - crop pestdocumented damage to crops
Human Relevance
Agricultural pest: beetles of this have been observed damaging tomato and watermelon crops.
Similar Taxa
- Other darkling beetle genera with dorsally expanded protibiaShared tibial expansion trait; Metoponium distinguished by concave epistomal lobe and carinae
More Details
Subgeneric classification
The is divided into two subgenera: Metoponiopsis and Metoponium. The Metoponium bicolor (Horn, 1870) is placed in subgenus Metoponiopsis.
Taxonomic history
First described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1907, who provided original identification keys.