Plaesius javanus, the Jepson's beetle, is a species of clown beetles belonging to the family Histeridae.[1]
| Plaesius javanus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Plaesius javanus from Mentawai Islands. Museum specimen | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Histeridae |
| Genus: | Plaesius |
| Species: | P. javanus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plaesius javanus Erichson, 1834
| |
Description
editPlaesius javanus can reach a length of about 14–15 millimetres (0.55–0.59 in). These beetles have a glossy black body, with long and curved jaws and short antennae. Frontlegs are thin and expanded laterally. Elytra show 4–6 longitudinal grooves. Two abdominal rear segments are exposed.[2][3]
These predatory histerid beetles have been introduced in some countries for the control of the banana weevil borer (Cosmopolites sordidus).[2][4]
Distribution
editThis species is native to Southeastern Asia and Indonesia.[2]
Bibliography
edit- Mazur, Slawomir (1997) A world catalogue of the Histeridae (Coleoptera: Histeroidea), Genus, International Journal of Invertebrate Taxonomy (Supplement)(1996), database, NODC Taxonomic Code
- Ôhara, Masahiro, and Slawomir Mazur (2000) A revision of the genera of the tribe Platysomatini (Coleoptera, Histerida, Histerinae). Part 3. Redescriptions of the type species of Althanus, Caenolister, Idister, Diister, Placodes, Plaesius, Hyposolenus and Aulacosternus. Insecta Matsumurana (N.S.), vol. 57
References
edit- ^ Catalogue of life
- ^ a b c Cook Islands Biodiversity Database
- ^ Museum Hokudai
- ^ Hasyim, A. (2003). "Prey potential of the predatory histerid beetle Plaesius javanus to control banana weevil borer, Cosmopolites sordidus Germar". Jurnal Stigma. 11 (2): 165–169.