Ectatomma
Guides
Phyllobaenus
checkered beetles
Phyllobaenus is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, comprising at least 60 described species. The genus is notable for containing the first documented case of beetle parasitoidism of ants, with P. obscurus developing inside intact cocoons of Ectatomma ruidum species complex. Most clerid beetles are predatory, making this parasitoid habit a significant departure from typical family adaptations. Members of this genus exhibit diverse ecological relationships, including associations with wood-boring beetles, solitary bees and wasps, and plant-ant mutualisms.
Phyllobaenus obscurus
checkered beetle
Phyllobaenus obscurus is a checkered beetle (family Cleridae) notable as the first documented case of a beetle acting as a parasitoid of ants. Larvae develop inside intact cocoons of two species in the Ectatomma ruidum species complex, feeding on ant prepupae or pupae and eventually killing the host. This parasitoid lifestyle represents a significant departure from typical clerid ecology, which centers on predation of wood-boring beetles. The species has been documented in Pacific coastal plains of Oaxaca, Mexico, where prevalence of parasitism is extremely low (<0.6% of available cocoons).