Rain-triggered-emergence
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Pleocoma
rain beetles
Pleocoma is the sole extant genus of Pleocomidae, a family endemic to the Pacific states of North America. These beetles are notable for their extreme subterranean lifestyle, with adults emerging only during fall and winter rains to mate. The genus name derives from Greek words for 'abundant hair,' referring to the dense ventral hair covering. Adults are non-feeding, while larvae are root-feeders with exceptionally long development periods of up to 13 years.
Scarabaeoidearain-beetlessubterraneannon-feeding-adultslong-lived-larvaepheromone-mediated-matingendemicNearcticrelictual-distributionCretaceous-originpest-of-Christmas-treeslamellate-antennaeflightless-femalesrain-triggered-emergenceCalifornia-faunaOregon-faunaWashington-faunaroot-feeding-larvaeextreme-seasonalitylight-attracted-malesPleocoma tularensis
rain beetle
Pleocoma tularensis is a species of rain beetle in the family Pleocomidae, distinguished by having one of the largest geographic ranges within the genus Pleocoma. It is endemic to the central and southern Sierra Nevada of California. Like other rain beetles, adults are sexually dimorphic: males are winged and capable of flight, while females are flightless. Adults do not feed and rely entirely on energy reserves accumulated during their extended larval development underground.