Scaurus striatus (Fabricius, 1775) |
Taxonomical Classification: Animalia / Arthropoda / Insecta / Coleoptera / Tenebrionidae |
English name not known Maltese name not known |
Further Information: From about 30 species in this genus of beetles known as Darkling beetles (family: Tenebrionidae), 10 are found in Europe and 3 reported from Malta. The genus name is derived from the protruding ankles and the wide-apart legs that these beetles have (front pair).
This species is mostly nocturnal and hide during the day under rocks. They move slowly around. Several species are found at altitudes above two thousand meters, but most species live between 0 and 1000 meters high. In Spain, examined species could be found in the spring and early summer. They feed on plant and animal detritus and can be caught in baited traps. [
Their defence mechanism is mainly by the release of strong repellent scents from abdominal glands. The scent is excreted as liquid droplets composed of tens of different volatile components.
The distribution of this beetle in Europe is focused around the Mediterranean region especially the southwest, with the exception of the populations in the Balkans and Asia Minor. Of particular interest is the northern Algeria species with the border area and the adjoining part of Morocco. In this area, where about ten different species of the genus exist, the eastern borders and the western borders of the distribution areas of different types overlap. |



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