Diabolical Ironclad Beetle

Phloeodes diabolicus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Zopheridae
Subfamily: Zopherinae
Tribe: Zopherini
Genus: Phloeodes
Species: diabolicus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phloeodes diabolicus: /ˈfloʊ.iˌoʊ.diːz ˌdaɪ.əˈbɒl.ɪ.kəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Phloeodes diabolicus by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Phloeodes diabolicus sjh by No machine-readable author provided. Kugamazog~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims).. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Phloeodes diabolicus 275212764 by jen. Used under a CC0 license.

Phloeodes diabolicus variation sjh by No machine-readable author provided. Kugamazog~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims).. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Summary

Phloeodes diabolicus, also known as the diabolical ironclad beetle, is a flightless beetle adapted to wood boring with an exceptionally durable exoskeleton. Its long lifespan is uncommon among beetles, and it has specialized diets and behaviors related to decomposing wood and fungi.

Physical Characteristics

Size: 15-25 mm (16-22 mm for elytra plus prothorax). Dorsal color varies from pale brown to dark gray with creamy brown to golden patches. Tough, densely layered exoskeleton able to support a maximum force of 149 newtons.

Identification Tips

Flat, sturdy body; thick elytra; color variations help in distinguishing from similar species.

Habitat

Found under loose bark of oak and cottonwood primarily in woodlands.

Distribution

Native to California and Baja California.

Diet

Believed to eat fungi growing under rotting tree bark, particularly prefers white rot fungi.

Life Cycle

Holometabolous, with a longer lifespan of around eight years compared to most beetles.

Reproduction

Males exhibit a waxy secreted coating believed to function in sexual attraction; details on mating behaviors are not specified.

Predators

Predation likely includes birds and lizards, but tough exoskeleton protects against many species.

Ecosystem Role

Serves as a decomposer, breaking down rotten wood and fungi.

Collecting Methods

Drill holes in the exoskeleton for pinning specimens due to their tough exterior.

Preservation Methods

Standard entomological collection methods can be modified to suit this species' durability.

Evolution

The species' fused shell has evolved for protection from crushing and moisture loss, aiding survival in arid climates.

Similar Taxa

Phloeodes plicatus

Misconceptions

Some may confuse it with other Zopheridae species, due to similar appearances as a non-specific decomposer.