Temnoscheila

[livingplanet3]

A small but interesting beetle that I occasionally find; a Bark-Gnawing Beetle, Temnoscheila spp. (family Trogossitidae) -



Many species of this genus are metallic green or blue. I was surprised at how readily these beetles will bite when handled, and at how much pressure their mandibles can exert, despite the insect being only around 20 mm long.

More info -

myrmecos.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/friday-beetle-blogging-temnoscheila-bark-gnawing-beetle/


bugguide.net/node/view/13599

[trehopr1]

I have one of those !

However, mine was acquired via a beetle collection being parted out.

It's shimmering metallic color made it a standout.

Wonderful

[vabrou]

I have taken many hundreds of these in my light traps over the decades, Here are some recent ones (77 adults) captured at my home location in Southeast Louisiana. This can be a fairly common species here.

[livingplanet3]

Feb 23, 2022 8:17:28 GMT -8 vabrou said:

I have taken many hundreds of these in my light traps over the decades, Here are some recent ones (77 adults) captured at my home location in Southeast Louisiana. This can be a fairly common species here.
<button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button>

Like many other insects, Temnoscheila is probably more abundant in my area than I realize, and I could undoubtedly find more of them, using the right methods. I suppose I should consider setting up a light trap this spring / summer season, to get a much better idea of what's in my backyard. In past years, I've simply set up a sheet behind a UV light. I can only get a somewhat limited sampling in this way, but my focus was on collecting live specimens of certain species.

[livingplanet3]

A tropical species of Temnoscheila from Ecuador -



The larvae of this genus live under tree bark, and are predatory on the larvae of other beetles, including Scolytinae.

Photos of Temnoscheila larvae -

www.insectimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=0745049

bugguide.net/node/view/41439

In form, they are rather similar to the larvae of some predatory click beetles, such as Alaus spp.