Scaphidium quadrimaculatum Olivier & A. G. 1790

Scaphidium quadrimaculatum, common name orange-spotted scaphidium or shining fungus beetle, is a species of beetles belonging to the family Staphylinidae subfamily Scaphidiinae.^[1]

Distribution

These quite uncommon beetles are present in most of Europe, in North Africa and in the Near East.^[2]

Description

Scaphidium quadrimaculatum can reach a length of 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in). These small beetles have a broad and oval-shaped body. They are completely shiny black, with four irregular red spots on elytra. Thorax is somewhat coarctate on each side behind. Elytra are widely punctured, while tibiae are striated.^[3][4]

Biology

Adults can mostly be encountered from April through August feeding on various species of fungi, especially bracket fungi.^[5]

Gallery

• 

  Mating couple

• 

  Side view

• Clip of S. quadrimaculatum on beech

Bibliography

• Karl Wilhelm Harde, Frantisek Severa und Edwin Möhn: Der Kosmos Käferführer: Die mitteleuropäischen Käfer. Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co KG, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-440-06959-1.
• A. Horion: Faunistik der mitteleuropäischen Käfer Band II: Palpicornia - Staphylinoidea, Vittorio Klostermann, Frankfurt am Main, 1949.
• Edmund Reitter: Fauna Germanica – Die Käfer des Deutschen Reiches. 5 Bände, Stuttgart K. G. Lutz 1908–1916, Digitale Bibliothek Band 134, Directmedia Publishing GmbH, Berlin 2006, ISBN 3-898-53534-7

References

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