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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Minute Brown Scavenger Beetle
Corticaria (Genus)

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Beetles (Order Coleoptera​​)

-​Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles (Suborder Polyphaga)

-​Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

-Lady, Fungus, Scavenger, and Bark Beetles (Superfamilydea)

-Minute Brown Scavenger Beetles (Family Latridiidae)

-Subfamily Corticariinae

-Genus Corticaria


Beetles of the genus Corticaria are minute, brown scavenger beetles (family Latridiidae) that feed on the hyphae and spores of fungi and moulds. They are commonly found in damp environments. They are primarily found in places where mould and fungi thrive.

Diet

  • Adults and larvae: Feed primarily on fungi, moulds, fungal spores, decaying plant material, and other decomposing organic matter.

  • They are commonly associated with mouldy wood, rotting vegetation, leaf litter, and decaying plant debris.

  • Some species may also feed on pollen, algae, or microorganisms growing on damp organic material.

Range

  • The genus Corticaria is distributed worldwide, with species occurring on most continents.

  • Numerous species occur in Mexico, including tropical and subtropical regions such as Guerrero.

  • They are particularly diverse in humid forest and woodland habitats.

Habitat

  • Found beneath loose bark, in rotting logs, leaf litter, fungi, compost, and decaying vegetation.

  • Also occurs in tropical forests, woodland edges, gardens, agricultural areas, and other habitats containing moist organic material.

  • Adults may sometimes be found in association with fungal growth on living or dead trees.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 1–3 mm (0.04–0.12 in).

  • Body small, oval to elongate, generally brown to reddish-brown, with relatively short antennae.

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