Cremastocheilus schaumii
Cremastocheilus schaumii | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Scarabaeidae |
Subfamily: | Cetoniinae |
Tribe: | Cremastocheilini |
Genus: | Cremastocheilus |
Subgenus: | Cremastocheilus |
Species: | C. schaumii |
Binomial name | |
Cremastocheilus schaumii LeConte, 1853 |
One of about thirty-five species of myrmecophilous Cremastocheilus. The host ant is Veromessor andrei.
Identification
This species is larger than Cremastocheilus canalicuatus Kirby, and is very different in the form of the mentum and thorax, and in the less distinct punctuation of the head. There is not a trace of emargination at the posterior part of the mentum; the anterior angles of the thorax appear to be more deeply foveate in the male than in the female. Named in honor of Dr. Schaum.
Distribution
California (San Diego and Santa Isabel)
Habitat
Common host is Veromessor andrei.
Biology
Nomenclature
Description
Black, almost without lustre. Head finely scabrous; mentum shallow, moderately concave, rounded in front, obliquely narrowed behind, so as to be slightly angulated posteriorly. Thorax one-half wider than long, narrowed in front, rounded on the sides; disc tolerably densely, not deeply punctured, with short bristles from the punctures; anterior angles foveate internally, posterior angles acute, scarcely elevated; base bisinuate, faintly impressed each side. Elytra flattened, not uneven, sparsely punctured with large elliptical shallow foveae, from which proceed short bristles.
References
- Alpert, Gary D. 1994. A Comparative Study of the Symbiotic Relationship Between Beetles of the Genus Cremastocheilus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their Host Ants (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Sociobiology 25(1).