Lygistopterus sanguineus

Lygistopterus sanguineus is a species of beetle found in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, particularly in shady, moist forest edges. It can grow up to 12 millimeters in length and has a distinctive body shape with red or light brown-reddish elytra. The species is abundant in flowers exposed to the sun or the foliage of low plants, while its larvae develop in rotting wood of deciduous trees, feeding on small invertebrates. Two notable references for further information are the book “Der Kosmos Käferführer” by K.W. Harde and F. Severa, and the “Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera” edited by I. Lobl and A. Smetana.

Distribution and habitat

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This species is present in Europe, North Africa and Asia. These beetles are abundant in shady, moist forest edges.

Description

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Lygistopterus sanguineus can reach a length of 6–12 millimetres (0.24–0.47 in). Body is flat, with red or light brown-reddish elytra and easily visible longitudinal grooves. The upper side is often covered with dense red hairs. Its head has a trunk-like protuberance, which is not found in any other Central European species of its family. The pronotum is black in the middle, but colored the same as the elytra on the left and right outer side.

Biology

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The adults can be found from May to September. They prefer flowers exposed to the sun or the foliage of low plants. The larvae develop in rotting wood of deciduous trees, feeding on small invertebrates.

Bibliography

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K.W. Harde, F. Severa: Der Kosmos Käferführer, Die mitteleuropäischen Käfer, Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-440-06959-1 Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2007). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 4: Elateroidea - Derodontoidea - Bostrichoidea - Lymexyloidea - Cleroidea - Cucujoidea. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-8788757675.

External links

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Entomoland iNaturalist Biolib

== References ==